For West African water management, an understanding of hydroclimatic trends is essential. With an emphasis on streamflow (Q), precipitation (P), and potential evapotranspiration (PET), this study examines data from the Mouhoun River Catchment at Boromo station (MRCB) in Burkina Faso spanning six decades (1961–2020). It finds multiple changepoints with significant shifts between sub-periods and non-stationarity in annual hydroclimatic series using elasticity concepts and techniques such as the Pruned Exact Linear Time and Theil-Sen approaches. Contrasting patterns in P and Q are revealed by trend analysis, particularly during the rainy season, with changes at the catchment outlet typically being low to moderate. The results provide important information for developing adaptation plans and sustainable water management in the area.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-06549-x