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The Runoff Evolution and the Differences Analysis of the Causes of Runoff Change in Different Regions: A Case of the Weihe River Basin, Northern China

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  • Shuoyang Li

    (College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
    The Institute of Water Resource of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China)

  • Guiyu Yang

    (The Institute of Water Resource of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China)

  • Hao Wang

    (The Institute of Water Resource of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China)

Abstract

The runoff levels of the major hydrological stations in the Weihe river basin (WRB) have been found to present decreasing trends. However, the conspicuous spatial differences in the hydro-meteorological conditions have led to variations in the rainfall–runoff pattern in each of the sub-basin areas. The aims of this research study were to reveal the main factors contributing to the runoff changes in the different regions—and it has significance in the water resources rational allocation and protection in the different regions. Three statistical methods were used to analyze the law of precipitation and runoffs of five hydrological stations. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model was used to reconstruct the runoff in the impact period. The effects of climate change and human activity on runoff were separated by comparing measured runoff and reconstructed runoff. The results show that the closer the proximity to the downstream hydrological station, the more the runoff decreased. In the tributaries and upstream hydrological stations (Zhuanhtou (ZT), Zhangjiashan (ZJS), and Linjiacun (LJC)), from 1970 to 2016, the dominant factor of the runoff reduction was determined to be climate change, and accounted for 148.2%, 98.9%, and 90.5%, respectively. In the hydrological stations of middle and lower reaches (Xianyang (XY) and Huaxian (HX)), the contributions of the climate change to the runoff reduction were 49.7% and 44.3%, respectively, and the impacts of human activity accounted for 50.3% and 55.7%. The impacts of human activity on the runoff reduction were slightly greater than that of the climate change. Due to the different leading factors affecting runoff change in the basin, in response to future climate change, for tributaries and upstream areas, land use should be rationally planned to achieve the optimal balance of water volume in each part of the basin, which is of great significance to the protection and utilization of water resources. As for the middle and downstream regions, reasonable planning should also be focused on the amount of water withdraw, water resource allocations, and water conservancy project construction. According to the factors affecting runoff, corresponding strategies are proposed for different regions, which have important research significance for the protection and sustainable development of watershed water resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuoyang Li & Guiyu Yang & Hao Wang, 2019. "The Runoff Evolution and the Differences Analysis of the Causes of Runoff Change in Different Regions: A Case of the Weihe River Basin, Northern China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5295-:d:270806
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boini Narsimlu & Ashvin Gosain & Baghu Chahar, 2013. "Assessment of Future Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources of Upper Sind River Basin, India Using SWAT Model," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(10), pages 3647-3662, August.
    2. Depeng Zuo & Zongxue Xu & Wei Wu & Jie Zhao & Fangfang Zhao, 2014. "Identification of Streamflow Response to Climate Change and Human Activities in the Wei River Basin, China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(3), pages 833-851, February.
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    1. Yufei Jiao & Jia Liu & Chuanzhe Li & Wei Wang & Fuliang Yu & Yizhi Wang, 2020. "Quantitative Attribution of Runoff Attenuation to Climate Change and Human Activity in Typical Mountainous Areas: An Enlightenment to Water Resource Sustainable Utilization and Management in North Chi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Yuanyao Wen & Tiange You & Yihan Xu & Shuhui Lin & Jing Ning & Xuemin You & Yanglan Xiao, 2022. "Comprehensive Evaluation of the Level of Water Ecological Civilization Construction in the Min River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Can Cao & Rui Sun & Zhixiang Wu & Bangqian Chen & Chuan Yang & Qian Li & Klaus Fraedrich, 2023. "Streamflow Response to Climate and Land-Use Changes in a Tropical Island Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.

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