Eco-hydrological effects associated with environmental flow management: A case study from the arid desert region of China

Yao, Yingying1,4; Zheng, Chunmiao1,2,3; Tian, Yong2; Li, Xi1,2; Liu, Jie1

2018-01

10.1002/eco.1914

Ecohydrology   影响因子和分区

1936-0584

1936-0592

In arid regions, stream-flow regulation impacts the hydrological processes and riparian ecosystems in both direct and indirect ways. Thus, understanding the degree of eco-hydrological effects over different spatiotemporal scales is critical for effective stream-flow regulation. This study investigates the multiple hydro-ecological effects caused by a mandatory implementation of stream-flow regulation in a typical endorheic river basin, the Heihe River Basin (HRB), in Northwest China. The changes in the stream-flow regime, spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation and groundwater flow system were quantified using stream-flow data, leaf area index products of 1km resolution and a 3D numerical groundwater flow model. The results show that the stream leakage to groundwater is strongly correlated with the disturbance by stream-flow regulation, moderately with the evaporation and inflow to terminal lake, but only weakly with the total vegetation state and cropland change. Even though the average groundwater level for the entire lower HRB has an upward trend in response to increasing stream flow, it has no significant correlation with flow regulation. The groundwater system acts as a temporary bank to buffer the regulated stream flow for the entire lower HRB. The spatiotemporal patterns of the leaf area index distribution point to the stream-flow regulation as triggers for the increase in cropland and vegetation patches in the flat terrain along the river branches. This case study in the lower HRB has provided valuable database and insights for environmental flow management of other arid watersheds.

groundwater storage Heihe River Basin LAI stream-flow regulation vegetation state

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Committee[ZDSY20150831141712549]

Environmental Sciences & Ecology ; Water Resources

Ecology ; Environmental Sciences ; Water Resources

WOS:000419342300004

WILEY

20174204282332

Digital storage ; Ecosystems ; Environmental management ; Forestry ; Groundwater ; Groundwater flow ; Rain ; Rivers ; Vegetation ; Water conservation ; Watersheds

Waterways:407.2 ; Precipitation:443.3 ; Water Resources:444 ; Environmental Engineering:454 ; Data Storage, Equipment and Techniques:722.1

Web of Science

1.Peking Univ, Inst Water Sci, Beijing 100871, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Shenzhen Key Lab Soil & Groundwater Pollut Contro, Sch Environm Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
3.Univ Alabama, Dept Geol Sci, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
4.Natl Univ Singapore, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Engn Dr 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore

Yao, Yingying,Zheng, Chunmiao,Tian, Yong,et al. Eco-hydrological effects associated with environmental flow management: A case study from the arid desert region of China[J]. Ecohydrology,2018,11(1).

Yao, Yingying,Zheng, Chunmiao,Tian, Yong,Li, Xi,&Liu, Jie.(2018).Eco-hydrological effects associated with environmental flow management: A case study from the arid desert region of China.Ecohydrology,11(1).

Yao, Yingying,et al."Eco-hydrological effects associated with environmental flow management: A case study from the arid desert region of China".Ecohydrology 11.1(2018).