Effects of land‐use change and climate variability on streamflow in the Woken River basin in Northeast China

In this study, the soil and water assessment tool, which is a widely used hydrological model, is applied to study the response of streamflow to land‐use changes and climate variability in the Woken River basin in northeastern China. This model is calibrated and verified based on sensitivity analysis to simulate the effects of land‐use change, climate variability, and extreme land‐use scenarios on streamflow. Simulations are performed to construct different scenarios for quantitative analysis. Compared with the base period, the land‐use change reduced the annual average streamflow and had little effect on the monthly streamflow. Climate variability increased the average annual streamflow and had a substantial effect on monthly streamflow. The effect of climate variability on streamflow was much greater than that of land‐use changes. Under the extreme land‐use scenarios, the annual average streamflow under the forestland scenario decreased, and the average annual streamflow under the grassland and agricultural land scenarios increased. Both the forestland and grassland scenarios exhibited lower monthly streamflow from March to August with especially large influences in June–August, which was when floods were more likely to occur. The agricultural land scenario exhibited the opposite trend. These results indicate that climate variability will obviously change streamflow and that natural disasters related to both high and heavy precipitation must be emphasised. Relevant departments can optimize the land‐use structure and spatial layout to mitigate the negative effects of climate variability.     

Impacts of Hydrological Changes on Annual Runoff Distribution in Seasonally Dry Basins

Runoff is expected to change due to climate and land use change. Because it constitutes a large component of the terrestrial water budget, we need to develop new policies for managing regional water resources. To do so, we must first attribute changes in the natural flow regime to either climate or land use change. In this context, the Budyko’s curve has previously been adopted to separate the impacts of climate and land use change on runoff by using long term hydrological variables. In this study, a framework based on Fu’s equation (which describes Budyko’s curve) is used to separate the impacts of climate and land use change on annual runoff distributions. Specifically, this framework is based on a recently developed method to obtain annual runoff probability density function (pdf) in seasonally dry basins—such as those in Mediterranean regions—from climate statistics and Fu’s equation parameter ω. The effect of climate change is captured through variations in the first order statistics of annual rainfall and potential evapotranspiration, while land use change is represented by changes in Fu’s equation parameter ω. The effects of these two drivers (i.e., climate and land use change) are analyzed by reconstructing the annual runoff pdfs for the current period and for likely future scenarios, based on predictions from global circulation models and urbanization trajectories. The results show that climate change can lead to a strong reduction in mean annual runoff, a shift of the runoff pdf toward lower values, and a decrease in its variance. Concurrent changes in climate and land use almost always result in a reduction in the mean annual runoff, due to the greater impact of climate change on the runoff pdf.

     

Impact of Human Intervention and Climate Change on Natural Flow Regime

According to the ‘natural flow paradigm’, any departure from the natural flow condition will alter the river ecosystem. River flow regimes have been modified by anthropogenic interventions and climate change is further expected to affect the biotic interactions and the distribution of stream biota by altering streamflow. This study aims to evaluate the hydrologic alteration caused by dam construction and climatic changes in a mesoscale river basin, which is prone to both droughts and monsoonal floods. To analyse the natural flow regime, 15 years of observed streamflow (1950–1965) prior to dam construction is used. Future flow regime is simulated by a calibrated hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), using ensemble of four high resolution (~25 km) Regional Climate Model (RCM) simulations for the near future (2021–2050) based on the SRES A1B scenario. Finally, to quantify the hydrological alterations of different flow characteristics, the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) program based on the Range of Variability Approach (RVA) is used. This approach enables the assessment of ecologically sensitive streamflow parameters for the pre- and post-impact periods in the regions where availability of long-term ecological data is a limiting factor. Results indicate that flow variability has been significantly reduced due to dam construction with high flows being absorbed and pre-monsoon low flows being enhanced by the reservoir. Climate change alone may reduce high peak flows while a combination of dam and climate change may significantly reduce variability by affecting both high and low flows, thereby further disrupting the functioning of riverine ecosystems. We find that, in the Kangsabati River basin, influence of dam is greater than that of the climate change, thereby emphasizing the significance of direct human intervention.     

Streamflow Trends and Climate Variability Impacts in Poyang Lake Basin, China

Under the background of global warming, does the effect of the rising global surface temperature accelerate the hydrological cycle? To address this issue, we use the hydro-climatic data from five sub-basins in Poyang Lake basin in the southeast China over the past 50 years, to investigate the annual and seasonal trends of streamflow and the correlations between streamflow and climatic variables. The Theil–Sen Approach and the non-parametric Mann–Kendall test are applied to identify the trends in the annual and seasonal streamflow, precipitation and evapotranspiration series. It was found that annual and seasonal streamflow of all the stations had increasing trends except Lijiadu station in wet season. Only 37.5% hydro-stations in annual streamflow increased significantly, while most stations increased at 95% significance level in dry season. Trends in annual and seasonal precipitation during the whole period were generally not as significant as those in evapotranspiration. The correlations between streamflow and climate variables (precipitation and evapotranspiration) were detected by the Pearson’s test. The results showed that streamflow in the Poyang Lake basin are more sensitive to changes in precipitation than potential evapotranspiration.     

Identification of Streamflow Response to Climate Change and Human Activities in the Wei River Basin,China

In this study, the calibration and validation period with stable underlying surface conditions was determined by using a statistically significant change point of the annual streamflow in several catchments of the Wei River basin (WRB). The effects of climate changes and human activities on streamflow were estimated by using the sensitivity-based method and the dynamic water balance model, respectively. The contributions of climate effects and human activities effects on streamflow were also investigated. The results showed that almost all the catchments exhibited significant decreasing trend of streamflow in the early 1990s. The streamflow was more sensitive to changes in precipitation than changes in potential evapotranspiration (PET). Effects of climate due to changes in precipitation and PET are weak in Linjiacun, Weijiabao and Xianyang catchments, while it is strong in the catchments controlled by other hydrological stations, accounting for more than 40 % of streamflow reduction. Effects of human activities on streamflow in Linjiacun, Weijiabao, Xianyang and Zhangjiashan catchments accounted for more than 50 % of the streamflow reduction. The study provides scientific foundation to understand the causes of water resources scarcity and useful information for the planning and management of water resources in the ecological fragile arid area.     

Relating Trends in Streamflow to Anthropogenic Influences: A Case Study of Himayat Sagar Catchment,India

Catchment development has been identified as a potentially major cause of streamflow change in many river basins in India. This research aims to understand changes in the Himayat Sagar catchment (HSC), India, where significant reductions in streamflow have been observed. Rainfall and streamflow trend analysis for 1980–2004 shows a decline in streamflow without significant changes in rainfall. A regression model was used to quantify changes in the rainfall-runoff relationship over the study period. We relate these streamflow trends to anthropogenic changes in land use, groundwater abstraction and watershed development that lead to increased ET (Evapotranspiration) in the catchment. Streamflow has declined at a rate of 3.6 mm/y. Various estimates of changes in evapotranspiration/irrigation water use were made. Well inventories suggested an increase of 7.2 mm/y in groundwater extractions whereas typical irrigation practices suggests applied water increased by 9.0 mm/y, while estimates of evapotranspiration using remote sensing data showed an increasing rate of 4.1 mm/y. Surface water storage capacity of various small watershed development structures increased by 2 mm over 7 years. It is concluded that the dominant hydrological process responsible for streamflow reduction is the increase in evapotranspiration associated with irrigation development, however, most of the anthropogenic changes examined are interrelated and occurred simultaneously, making separating out individual impacts very difficult.     

泾河流域土地利用/覆被变化对径流情势的影响

通过建立泾河流域SWAT分布式水文模型,重点模拟分析了河流径流情势对土地利用/覆被变化的响应,对比了不同气候条件及人类活动综合影响下研究区水文过程的变化。结果表明:1996年以前土地利用/覆被变化是影响水文过程的主要人类活动影响源,径流量年际变化平稳,属有小幅增加的正偏;年内影响以枯水季节为主,年内分配更趋均匀,径流集中度降低,集中期略有滞后,且趋于平稳;土地利用/覆被变化导致流域蒸散发量、冠层和落叶层截留量减小,入渗量增加,河川基流量和地表径流量相应增大,并在时域上耦合形成了水文过程的新变化;1996年以后,气候条件驱动下泾河年径流量呈现明显的增大趋势,人类活动亦从以土地利用/覆被变化为主转变为以人类水事活动为主的综合影响模式,且人类水事活动超过气候变化和土地利用/覆被变化成为影响水文过程变化的主因。     

Impact of Land Use Change on Hydrologic Processes in a Large Plain Irrigation District

Land use is the main factor that influences catchment hydrologic processes, and a better understanding of its effect is important for future land use planning and water resource management. By applying the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), we assessed the effects of land use changes on major hydrologic processes (evapotranspiration (ET), discharge, river) on a large plain irrigation district, the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The results indicated that SWAT was a useful tool for simulating the effects of land use changes on regional hydrologic processes. Human activities were the main factors that directly influenced land use in the HID. Land use changes had important impacts on the hydrologic processes of the HID. During 1995–2010, the land use changed greatly in the HID, leading to the changes in ET and discharge. The peak value of ET coincided with the exuberant crop growth period in the maximized sown crop area. In 1995s, wheat maximized the sown area and ET peaked in June; when sunflower and corn maximized the sown area in 2010s, ET peaked in July and August. The increased ET reduced discharge in the same period in the HID. Land use change affected the period and quantity of water diversion in the irrigation district. The quantity of water diverted in 1995 was greater than that in 2010, indicating that land use change significantly impacted the water quantity of the river, which was the water source of the irrigation district. This study will be a reference for future land use planning and water resource management in the irrigation district.     

土地利用变化和气候变化对温榆河上游流域径流变化的影响

土地利用和气候是直接影响流域水文水资源的两个主要因素,其影响分离的研究对流域的土地利用规划和水资源管理具有重要意义。以温榆河上游流域为研究对象,在统计分析1980-2014年流域气象因子、土地利用变化趋势的基础上,通过SWAT模型模拟与情景设计相结合的方法,评估了气候变化和土地利用变化对温榆河上游径流变化的影响。结果表明,SWAT模型在温榆河上游流域模拟效果良好,率定期和验证期的决定系数R2分别为0.80、0.77,纳什系数Ens分别为0.79、0.74。流域降雨量和气温呈递增趋势,林地和耕地减少,城乡及工矿和居民用地增加,草地在1995年到2005年间增加,这些变化综合影响了流域的径流变化,使得径流先增加后减少。其中气候变化的贡献率为100.46%,土地利用变化的贡献率为2.09%,气候变化的影响远远大于土地利用变化的影响。因此,如何应对气候变化在温榆河上游流域水资源管理工作中值得重视。     

Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrology of the Upper Reach of the Spree River: Germany

The aim of this study was to assess the potential impacts of future climate change on the hydrological response in the upper reach of the Spree River catchment using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model was calibrated for ten years (1997–2006) and validated with the data from four years (2007–2010) using average monthly stream flow. The impact of future climate change on precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and stream flow was then investigated from two different downscaled climate models (CLM and WETTREG2010) under SRES A1B scenarios for two future periods (2021–2030 and 2041–2050). Besides that, sensitivity analysis was carried out with and without observations, to test robustness of the sensitivity algorithm used in the model. Results of the determination coefficient R² and Nasch-Sutcliff efficiency E_NC were 0.81 and 0.80, respectively, during the calibration; 0.71 and 0.70, respectively, during the validation. Although some parameters were changed their sensitiveness ranking when the model run with observations, the SWAT model was, however, able to predict the top influential parameters without observations. According to 12 realizations from the two downscaled climate models, annual stream flow from 2021–2030 (2041–2050) is predicted to decrease by 39 % (43 %). This corresponds to an increase in annual evapotranspiration from 2021–2030 (2041–2050) of 36 % (38 %). The upper reach of the Spree River catchment will likely experience a significant decrease in stream flow due to the increasing in the evapotranspiration rates. This study could be of use for providing insight into the availability of future stream flow, and to provide a planning tool for this area.     

土地利用变化对牤牛河流域径流的影响

土地利用变化对流域水资源配置及其循环过程有显著的影响,了解土地利用与径流的关系是流域水文学研究的重要内容。以牤牛河流域为研究区,基于SWAT分布式水文模型,利用流域DEM、土地利用、土壤、气象等数据,结合GIS和RS技术,并采用极端土地利用分析方法,对流域土地利用变化的径流响应进行定量研究与分析。结果表明:流域内1998年与2009年土地均以耕地、林地、未使用地为主,约占总面积的90%;相同的气象条件下,两期土地利用情景下年、月均径流量变化趋势一致,2009年土地利用情景下的年、月径流量较1998年略小,年均径流量减少605.5万m3;7,8月份月径流模拟减少量明显;土地植被覆盖度增大径流量减小,反之则增大;在极端土地利用情景下,径流量将发生剧烈变化。因此,在不考虑研究期间内气候变化等因素的条件下,土地利用变化是影响流域径流变化的主要因素。     

Effect of DEM Resolution,Source, Resampling Technique and Area Threshold on SWAT Outputs

Application of an inappropriate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) might lead to uncertainty in modelling of the hydrological cycle. The novelty of this work is the development of a comprehensive framework to evaluate the effect of DEM resolution (12 to 500 m), source (TanDEM-X, SRTM, AW3D30 and ASTER GDEM2), resampling technique (nearest neighbour, bilinear interpolation, cubic convolution and majority) and area threshold (1000 to 50,000 ha) on Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) outputs based on five criteria: (1) river network extraction, (2) streamflow simulation, (3) topography, slope and basin characteristics, (4) hydrological and (5) water quality simulations. Kelantan River Basin, a tropical basin in Peninsular Malaysia was selected as study area. The major findings are summarized as follows: (1) TanDEM-X had better river network extraction capability than ASTER GDEM2, (2) better monthly streamflow simulations were obtained between 20 m and 60 m DEM resolutions, with the smallest area threshold (1000 ha), (3) TanDEM-X and SRTM DEMs outperformed ASTER GDEM2 on monthly streamflow simulation, (4) DEM resolution, source and resampling technique were insensitive to most of the hydrological components, except the lateral flow, (5) area threshold was sensitive to SWAT-simulated surface runoff, soil water content and evapotranspiration, (6) DEM scenarios had a larger impact on sediment yield simulations compared to the total nitrogen and total phosphorus simulations. We recommend a preliminary assessment of DEM uncertainties on SWAT outputs to obtain more reliable modelling outputs.     

Spatiotemporal Modelling of Water Balance Components in Response to Climate and Landuse Changes in a Heterogeneous Mountainous Catchment

Landuse change and climate change are the main drivers of hydrological processes. The purpose of this study was to analyse the separate and combined future effects of climate and landuse changes on water balance components on different spatial and temporal scales using the integrated hydrological Soil and Water Assessment Tool model. The study focused on the changes and relationship between water yield (WYLD) and sediment yield (SYLD) in the heterogeneous Taleghan Catchment in Iran. For future climate scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 of GFDL-ESM2M GCM were used for 2020–2040. A Markov chain model was used to predict landuse change in the catchment. The results indicated an increase in precipitation and evapotranspiration. The findings also showed that the relationship between WYLD and SYLD is direct and synergic. Climate change has a stronger effect on WYLD than landuse change, whereas landuse change has a stronger effect on SYLD. The conversion of rangelands to barren land is the most critical landuse change that could increase SYLD. The highest increase in WYLD and SYLD in scenario RCP4.5 resulted from the combined effects of climate and landuse change. We estimated WYLD of about 295 mm and SYLD of around 17 t/ha. The proposed methodology is universal and can be applied to similar settings to identify the most vulnerable regions. This can help prioritize management strategies to improve water and soil management in watersheds.

     

基于SWAT模型的秦淮河流域气候变化水文响应研究

为了解气候变化对水文水资源的影响机理,以秦淮河流域为研究区构建SWAT模型,使用SWAT-CUP对模型进行参数敏感性分析、率定及验证,并采用任意假设法设计未来气候情景,分析温度及降雨变化对流域径流及实际蒸散发量的影响。结果表明:模型在月径流模拟中具有较高的精度,适用于秦淮河流域气候变化下的水文响应研究;气温降低或降雨量上升都会引起流域径流量增加,反之则减少;实际蒸散发量与降雨量正相关,而实际蒸散发量对气温变化的响应不明显;平水年径流量对降雨量变化的响应较强,枯水年径流量对温度变化的响应较强;枯水年实际蒸散发量对降雨量变化的响应较强。     

未来气候情景下覆被变化对径流量的影响

以陆浑水库控制流域为研究对象,利用流域DEM、土地利用数据、1987—2001年气候和水文观测数据,在率定SWAT模型参数的基础上,以SCS模型参数的变化来反映覆被变化,分析了未来气候变化情景及覆被变化情景对径流的影响。结果表明:2011—2050年在流域落叶林地面积退化30%情况下径流量将增大7.02%,落叶林地面积增加20%情况下径流量将减少8.48%。     

土地利用变化下的水文响应及其可检测性分析

以涪江桥流域为研究区域,采用SWAT模型模拟流域水文过程,将相同水文气象条件下1985和1995年2个时期土地利用情景的SWAT模型模拟结果与土地利用空间转化图相结合,分析土地利用变化引起的水文要素变化及其可检测性问题。结果表明:1985—1995年间涪江桥流域发生较为剧烈的土地利用变化,但并未检测到足够显著的水文要素变化;不同土地利用类型水文效应的相似性、不同土地利用类型水文效应差异性以及统计中和效应和统计均化效应是导致土地利用变化引起的水文要素变化难以检测的主要原因。在此基础上,提出了水文动态响应度指标,来消除统计中和效应。该指标可以在一定程度上帮助研究者了解研究区特定水文要素变化的相对剧烈程度。研究结果可为土地利用总体规划和流域水资源保护与合理配置提供参考。     

近60年气候与土地利用变化对金沙江径流的影响

气候变化与土地利用变化会对流域降水径流过程产生影响,如何定量区分气候变化和土地利用变化对径流过程的影响,一直是国际水文水资源领域研究的热点和前沿问题。为了定量研究金沙江流域土地利用与气候变化的径流响应,构建了金沙江流域SWAT模型,采用情景模拟的方法,对土地利用变化与气候变化对径流的影响展开了研究。研究结果表明:(1)过去57 a金沙江流域实测降水量和气温的上升趋势显著,而径流量的变化趋势不明显;(2)相较于金沙江流域气温的显著升高,各种土地利用变化很小;(3)由于过去30 a间土地利用变化很小,因此其对径流量的影响微小;(4)气候变化是影响金沙江流域径流的主要因素,然而,取用水、水库建设等人类活动对径流的影响也较为显著。     

Adaptation Strategy to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: a Case Study

Climate change and drought phenomena impacts have become a growing concern for water resources engineers and policy makers, mainly in arid and semi-arid areas. This study aims to contribute to the development of a decision support tool to prepare water resources managers and planners for climate change adaptation. The Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (The Water Balance Department of the Hydrological Bureau) hydrologic model was used to define the boundary conditions for the reservoir capacity yield model comprising daily reservoir inflow from a representative example watershed with the size of 14,924 km² into a reservoir with the capacity of 6.80 Gm³. The reservoir capacity yield model was used to simulate variability in climate change-induced differences in reservoir capacity needs and performance (operational probability of failure, resilience, and vulnerability). Owing to the future precipitation reduction and potential evapotranspiration increase during the worst case scenario (?40% precipitation and +30% potential evapotranspiration), substantial reductions in streamflow of between ?56% and ?58% are anticipated for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Furthermore, model simulations recommend that as a result of future climatic conditions, the reservoir operational probability of failure would generally increase due to declined reservoir inflow. The study developed preparedness plans to combat the consequences of climate change and drought.     

Climate change impact on water quality in the integrated Mahabad Dam watershed-reservoir system

Climate change, besides global warming, is expected to intensify the hydrological cycle, which can impact watershed nutrient yields and affect water quality in the receiving water bodies. The Mahabad Dam Reservoir in northwest Iran is a eutrophic reservoir due to excessive watershed nutrient input, which could be exacerbated due to climate change. In this regard, a holistic approach was employed by linking a climate model (CanESM2), watershed-scale model (SWAT), and reservoir water quality model (CE-QUAL-W2). The triple model investigates the cumulative climate change effects on hydrological parameters, watershed yields, and the reservoir’s water quality. The SDSM model downscaled the output of the climate model under moderate (RCP4.5) and extreme (RCP8.5) scenarios for the periods of 2021–2040 and 2041–2060. The impact of future climate conditions was investigated on the watershed runoff and total phosphorus (TP) load, and consequently, water quality status in the dam’s reservoir. The results of comparing future conditions (2021–2060) with observed present values under moderate to extreme climate scenarios showed a 4–7% temperature increase and a 6–11% precipitation decrease. Moreover, the SWAT model showed a 9–16% decline in streamflow and a 12–18% decline in the watershed TP load for the same comparative period. Finally, CE-QUAL-W2 model results showed a 3–8% increase in the reservoir water temperature and a 10–16% increase in TP concentration. It indicates that climate change would intensify the thermal stratification and eutrophication level in the reservoir, especially during the year’s warm months. This finding specifies an alarming condition that demands serious preventive and corrective measures.