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The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition)

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water and Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 May 2025 | Viewed by 11834

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Qianfeng Wang

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Guest Editor

College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China
Interests: drought; climate change; hydrological models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Haijun Deng

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Guest Editor

Institute of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Interests: hydrology modeling; climate change; water resources; hydrology cycles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jinshi Jian

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1. State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Joint Global Change Research Institute at the University of Maryland-College Park, 5825 University Research Court, Suite 3500, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Interests: urban soil hydrology; soil retention curve; soil carbon cycle; global change; soil respiration; meta-analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change affects hydrological processes through factors such as temperature, humidity and precipitation and, in the context of climate change, human activities will also cause corresponding hydrological effects. With the increase in social productivity, the increase in land use intensity and the increasingly complex forms of land use, the impact of land use/land cover changes on hydrology and water resources has gradually deepened. The changes in hydrological processes and their impact mechanisms are complex. On the one hand, climate change and human activities affect the hydrological process; on the other hand, changes in hydrological processes will further affect the climate and human activities. This bi-directionality and uncertainty make research more complicated and it is precisely because of this complexity that there have been many related studies. However, the questions of how climate change and human activities affect hydrological processes, and how hydrological processes react to climate change and human activities, still leave many issues to be resolved. Authors from hydrological research communities around the world are welcome to submit appropriate manuscripts. Topics to be addressed include, but are not limited to:

The hydrological effects of climate change and human activities;
The influence of hydrological factors on climate and human activities;
Hydrological processes and hydrological ecology;
Interactions between climate change, human activities and hydrological processes;
Drought or heatwave characteristics caused by climate change or human activities;
Water security issues caused by climate change and human activities;
Changes in the hydrological processes of vegetation, soil and rock caused by climate change and human activities.

Dr. Qianfeng Wang
Dr. Haijun Deng
Dr. Jinshi Jian
Guest Editors

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Keywords

climate change
hydrological processes
water resources
vegetation
soil
rock
drought
heatwaves
mutual effects

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The Interrelationship between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes in Water (18 articles)
The Interrelationship between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes, Volume II in Water (15 articles)

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Research

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27 pages, 7555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Insights into Terracing Effects on Water Resources Under Climate Change: Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS Applications

by Xuan Du, Guozhong Yang, Haihong Yuan, Yuexi Wu, Ziji Lv, Can Du, Jinshi Jian, Qianfeng Wang, Linlin Huang and Wenhua Chen

Water 2025, 17(8), 1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17081125 - 10 Apr 2025

Viewed by 289

Abstract

With the increasing impacts of global climate change and the continuous expansion of the population, the scarcity of food and water resources, along with the protection of agricultural land, have become significant constraints to sustainable agricultural development. Terraces plays a vital role in controlling water loss and promoting sustainable agriculture, and they have been widely adopted across the globe. Using CiteSpace, this study conducted a bibliometric review of the literature on the application of remote sensing and GISs in terrace studies under global climate change. The dataset included publications from the Web of Science spanning the years 1992 to 2024. Based on a systematical analysis of 508 publications, we investigated major institutions, cross-author collaborations, keyword co-occurrences, and the evolution of the research focus areas regarding the applications of remote sensing and GISs in terrace studies. The results show that the prominent research themes in this domain include remote sensing, erosion, and climate change. China (132, 26%) and the United States (108, 21%) are the top contributors in terms of publication numbers, while European countries and institutions are more active in collaborative efforts. The research emphasis has transitioned from analyzing the environmental characteristics of terraces to a broader consideration of ecological factors and multi-scenario applications. Moreover, analyses of the keyword co-occurrence and temporal trends indicate a rising interest in the application of machine learning, deep learning, and luminescence dating in terrace studies. Moving forward, it is essential to advance the deployment of automated monitoring systems, obtain long-term continuous monitoring data, encourage the adoption of conservation agriculture technology, and strengthen early warning networks for extreme climate events in terrace research. Overall, this study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative efforts to address the myriad challenges faced by terraced agriculture in an era of rapid environmental change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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19 pages, 5199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Local and Indirect Water Scarcity Risks Under Climate Change in the Yellow River Basin: A Virtual Water Flow Perspective

by Yuqian Zhang, Yunhe Yin, Xufang Zhang and Mijia Yin

Water 2025, 17(4), 543; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17040543 - 13 Feb 2025

Viewed by 766

Abstract

Assessing water scarcity risks under climate change has become an important research topic for sustainable development. Regional water scarcity is driven not only by direct local water deficits but also by indirect effects from upstream supply chains. Despite their significance, existing studies seldom integrate both local water scarcity and indirect water scarcity comprehensively. This study utilizes multi-regional input–output tables (MRIO) to quantify virtual water flows among eight provinces in the Yellow River Basin, elucidating the extent of local (WSI) and indirect water scarcity (IWS) from 2007 to 2017. Leveraging Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) projections and Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, the research further projects future virtual water flow patterns and associated water scarcity risks in the Yellow River Basin from the 2020s to the 2090s. Findings reveal that downstream provinces (Shandong, Henan, Shanxi) experience more severe water scarcity—both locally and indirectly—than upstream regions (Inner Mongolia, Gansu). Local water scarcity surpasses indirect scarcity, with the agricultural sector predominantly driving IWS, accounting for 76.1% to 91.3%. Additionally, downstream provinces facing severe water scarcity not only exhibit high local water use but also rely on imports from middle and upper regions grappling with water shortages. Under SSP1-RCP2.6 and SSP5-RCP8.5 scenarios, water scarcity risks in the Yellow River Basin are projected to intensify, with the overall WSI potentially reaching 0.59 and IWS attaining severe levels of 0.42 by the 2050s. This study enhances the understanding of water scarcity risks in arid and semi-arid regions, providing valuable insights for policymakers to develop more climate-resilient water-resource management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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28 pages, 7752 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Method Approach to Analyzing Precipitation Series and Their Change Points in Semi-Arid Climates: The Case of Dobrogea

by Youssef Saliba and Alina Bărbulescu

Water 2025, 17(3), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17030391 - 31 Jan 2025

Viewed by 686

Abstract

The Dobrogea region, located in southeastern Romania, experiences a semi-arid climate. This study provides a deep analysis of monthly precipitation series from 46 meteorological stations spanning 1965–2005, exploring mean and variance characteristics and detecting structural changes in precipitation patterns. The series normality was assessed using the Lilliefors test, and transformation, such as the Yeo–Johnson method, was used to address skewness. Analyses of mean and variance included parametric (t-tests, ANOVA) and non-parametric (Mann–Whitney U, Fligner–Killeen) tests to address the homogeneity/inhomogeneity of the data series in mean and variance. Change points were detected using a Minimum Description Length (MDL) framework, modeling the series as piecewise linear regressions with seasonal effects and autocorrelated errors. Pairwise comparisons indicate the low similarity of the series means, and variances, so spatial and temporal variability in precipitation is notable. Validation of the proposed MDL approach on synthetic datasets demonstrated high accuracy, and application to real data identified significant shifts in precipitation regimes. Applied to the monthly series collected at the ten main hydro-meteorological stations, a MDL framework provided at least two change points for each. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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18 pages, 6778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Interpretable CatBoost Model Guided by Spectral Morphological Features for the Inversion of Coastal Water Quality Parameters

by Baofeng Chen, Yunzhi Chen and Hongmei Chen

Water 2024, 16(24), 3615; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243615 - 15 Dec 2024

Viewed by 1002

Abstract

Chlorophyll-a (Chla) and total suspended solid (TSS) concentrations are important parameters for water quality assessment, and in recent years, machine learning has been shown to have great potential in this field. However, current water quality parameter inversion models lack interpretability and rarely consider the morphological characteristics of the spectrum. To address this limitation, we used Sentinel-3 OLCI data to construct an interpretable CatBoost model guided by spectral morphological characteristics for remote sensing monitoring of Chla and TSS along the coast of Fujian. The results show that the coastal waters of Fujian Province can be divided into five clusters, and the areas of different clusters will change with the alternation of seasons. Clusters 2 and 4 are the main types of coastal waters. The CatBoost model combined with spectral feature engineering has a high accuracy in predicting Chla and TSS, among which Chla is slightly better than TSS (R² = 0.88, MSE = 8.21, MAPE = 1.10 for Chla predictions; R² = 0.77, MSE = 380.49, MAPE = 2.48 for TSS predictions). We further conducted an interpretability analysis on the model output and found that the combination of BRI and TBI indexes composed of bands such as b8, b9, and b10 and the fluctuation of spectral curves will have a significant impact on the prediction of model output. The interpretable CatBoost model based on spectral morphological features proposed in this study can provide an effective technical means of estimating the chlorophyll-a and total suspended particulate matter concentrations in the coastal areas of Fujian. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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19 pages, 18178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Variations of Precipitation Extremes and Population Exposure in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, China

by Hao Lin, Xi Yu, Yumei Lin and Yandong Tang

Water 2024, 16(24), 3594; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243594 - 13 Dec 2024

Viewed by 867

Abstract

In recent years, precipitation extremes in China have increased due to global warming, posing a significant threat to human life and property. It is thus crucial to understand the changes in population exposure to precipitation extremes and the causes of these changes, since complex terrain areas are not accurately simulated by rain gauge interpolation data. Thus, we first used three satellite-based precipitation products—TRMM 3B42, CHIRPS, and CMORPH—combined with population data to analyze the spatiotemporal changes of precipitation extremes and population exposure from 1998 to 2019 in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region. In addition, the contributions of population, climate, and composite factors were quantified. The results showed that TRMM 3B42 outperformed the other two datasets in the BTH region. Over the past 22 years, the precipitation extremes in the central and northeastern regions, especially in Beijing, reached 2.5 days per decade, while the northern and southern regions showed a downward trend. The highest population exposure was mainly concentrated in central Beijing, most areas of Tianjin, and the urban centers of cities in southeastern Hebei province. Compared to the 2000s, a significant increase in exposure was observed in Beijing, Tianjin, and Zhangjiakou in the 2010s, whereas other regions showed negligible changes during this period. Climatic factors had the greatest influence on population exposure in most cities such as Qinhuangdao and Hengshui, where their climatic contribution exceeded 70%. While population change was more responsible for the increase in population exposure in the densely populated cities such as Tianjin, Handan, and Langfang, these cities contributed over 60% of the population. The interaction effect in Beijing and Tianjin was relatively obvious. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for formulating targeted disaster risk management measures against climate change in the BTH region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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19 pages, 5911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison and Integrated Application for Runoff Simulation Models in Small and Medium-Sized River Basins of Southeast China Coastal Area

by Xie Yan, Yunpeng Gao, Xingwei Chen and Huaxia Yao

Water 2024, 16(24), 3546; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16243546 - 10 Dec 2024

Viewed by 799

Abstract

Runoff simulation is of fundamental importance for hydrological research. This study evaluated the applicability of multiple hydrological models and their ensembles for simulating runoff in small and medium-sized river basins of southeastern coastal China, focusing on the Xixi tributary of Jinjiang River and the Songxi and Chongyang tributaries of Minjiang River in Fujian Province. Four lumped hydrological models were selected for analysis: GR4J, IHACRES, TVGM, and MISDc-2L. The Bayesian model averaging method was utilized to compare the performance of each individual model and the multi-model ensemble in runoff simulation. Results: (1) For the calibration and validation periods of four hydrological stations, the mean values of KGE, NS, and R² for the models GR4J, IHACRES, TVGM, and MISDc-2L were all above 0.7, and the mean values of |RE| were below 8.3%, without significant simulation accuracy variations when basin size changes, demonstrating strong regional applicability for runoff simulation; (2) The multi-model ensemble simulations using Bayesian model averaging of GR4J, TVGM, and MISDc-2L exhibited higher accuracy than individual models; (3) The MISDc-2L model demonstrated strong applicability in daily runoff simulations for both small and medium-sized river basins in Fujian Province and the large-sized Dongting Lake basin, showing that it is worthy of further application in other river basins across China. The findings of this study provide a reference for the selection and application of hydrological models for runoff simulation in small and medium-sized river basins of southeastern coastal China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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20 pages, 4719 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Carbon Sink Benefits from Comprehensive Soil and Water Conservation in the Loess Hilly Gently Slope Aeolian Sand Region

by Yong Wu, Xiaoyan Li, Hongda Zeng, Xiaojian Zhong and Shennan Kuang

Water 2024, 16(23), 3434; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16233434 - 28 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 840

Abstract

Soil erosion has become an increasingly serious issue, drawing global attention. As one of the countries facing severe soil erosion in the world, China confronts significant ecological challenges. Against this backdrop, the country places great emphasis on soil conservation efforts, considering them a crucial component of ecological civilization construction. This study focuses on the carbon sink benefits of comprehensive soil conservation management in the loess hilly region and sandy slopes, using the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed in Youyu County, Shanxi Province, as a typical case for in-depth analysis. In terms of research methodology, an integrated monitoring approach combining fundamental data, measured data, and remote sensing data was developed. A comprehensive survey of the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed was conducted to categorize plant carbon pools and soil carbon pools, establish baseline scenarios, and utilize methods such as inverse distance spatial interpolation, sample calculation, and feature extraction to estimate forest carbon storage across different years and determine changes in soil and vegetation carbon storage. Simultaneously, data collection and preprocessing were carried out, including the gathering of fundamental data, field data collection, and internal data preprocessing. On this basis, a vegetation carbon storage model was constructed, and an assessment of soil carbon pool storage was conducted. The research results indicate that from 2002 to 2024, the continuous implementation of various soil conservation measures over 22 years has led to a significant increase in carbon storage within the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed. The vegetation carbon density of the entire small watershed increased from 14.66 t C/ha to 27.02 t C/ha, and the soil carbon density rose from 28.92 t C/ha to 32.48 t C/ha. The net carbon sink amount was 18,422.20 t C (corresponding to 67,548.08 t CO₂e in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent). Populus simonii and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica significantly contribute to the carbon sink; however, due to partial degradation of Populus simonii, its net carbon sink amount is less than that of Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica. Additionally, the carbon sink capacity of the small watershed exhibits spatial differences influenced by conservation measures, with high carbon density areas primarily concentrated within the range of Populus simonii, while low carbon density areas are mainly found in shrub zones. The increase in carbon storage within the small watershed is primarily attributed to the contributions of vegetation and soil carbon storage, indicating that comprehensive soil erosion management has a significant carbon accumulation effect; moreover, the annual growth rate of vegetation carbon storage exceeds that of soil carbon storage, with the proportion of soil carbon storage increasing year by year. Furthermore, the vegetation carbon sink, soil carbon sink, and total carbon sink of the small watershed were separately calculated. In terms of benefit analysis, the Xiaonanshan Mountain small watershed offers ecological benefits such as increased forest coverage, carbon fixation and oxygen release, and biodiversity conservation; from an economic perspective, the value of carbon trading is substantial, promoting soil conservation and rural revitalization, with the total value of timber reaching 7.6 million yuan, of which the value of standing timber constitutes the largest proportion; social benefits include the improvement of environmental landscapes, stimulation of ecological tourism, and attraction of investment, with the Xiaonanshan Mountain Ecological Park receiving numerous visitors and generating significant tourism revenue. This research provides a theoretical basis and data foundation for comprehensive soil conservation management in project areas or small watersheds within the loess hilly and sandy slope regions, offering technical and methodological support for other soil conservation carbon sink projects in the area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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23 pages, 7167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Analysis of Research on the Effects of Conservation Management on Soil Water Content Using CiteSpace

by Can Du, Yuexi Wu, Limei Ma, Dong Lei, Yin Yuan, Xiaohua Ren, Qianfeng Wang, Jinshi Jian and Xuan Du

Water 2024, 16(23), 3415; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16233415 - 27 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1161

Abstract

As global climate change intensifies and population growth continues, water scarcity has emerged as a critical constraint to sustainable agricultural development. Conservation management, an effective water-saving technique, plays a crucial role in enhancing soil water content (SWC) and promoting sustainable agriculture. This study utilizes CiteSpace to perform a bibliometric analysis of research literature on the effects of conservation management on SWC, encompassing publications indexed in the Web of Science database from 1992 to 2024. By systematically examining 599 papers, we analyzed key research institutions, authors’ collaborative contributions, keyword co-occurrences, and shifts in research hotspots related to conservation management and its impact on SWC. The results reveal that significant topics in this field include “conservation agriculture”, “water use efficiency”, and “conservation tillage”. China (225, 38%) and the United States (129, 22%) lead in publication volume, whereas European countries and institutions show a higher degree of collaboration. The research focus has transitioned from examining the impacts and mechanisms of conservation tillage on crop yield and soil physical and chemical properties to long-term monitoring, water use efficiency, and mitigation. Furthermore, keyword co-occurrence and temporal analysis highlight a growing emphasis on soil quality and greenhouse gas emissions. In the future, it remains imperative to enhance the implementation of automated monitoring systems, secure long-term continuous monitoring data, promote conservation agriculture technology, and bolster the early warning network for extreme climate events. These measures are crucial for preserving soil nutrient levels and ensuring the sustainable development of agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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34 pages, 16144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling the Intra-Annual and Inter-Annual Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Sediment Inflow to Rivers and Driving Factors in Cloud-Prone Regions: A Case Study in Minjiang River Basin, China

by Xiaoqin Wang, Zhichao Yu, Lin Li, Mengmeng Li, Jinglan Lin, Lifang Tang, Jianhui Chen, Haihan Lin, Miao Chen, Shilai Jin, Yunzhi Chen and Xiaocheng Zhou

Water 2024, 16(22), 3339; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223339 - 20 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1115

Abstract

Accurately delineating sediment export dynamics using high-quality vegetation factors remains challenging due to the spatio-temporal resolution imbalance of single remote sensing data and persistent cloud contamination. To address these challenges, this study proposed a new framework for estimating and analyzing monthly sediment inflow to rivers in the cloud-prone Minjiang River Basin. We leveraged multi-source remote sensing data and the Continuous Change Detection and Classification model to reconstruct monthly vegetation factors at 30 m resolution. Then, we integrated the Chinese Soil Loss Equation model and the Sediment Delivery Ratio module to estimate monthly sediment inflow to rivers. Lastly, the Optimal Parameters-based Geographical Detector model was harnessed to identify factors affecting sediment export. The results indicated that: (1) The simulated sediment transport modulus showed a strong Coefficient of Determination (R² = 0.73) and a satisfactory Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (0.53) compared to observed values. (2) The annual sediment inflow to rivers exhibited a spatial distribution characterized by lower levels in the west and higher in the east. The monthly average sediment value from 2016 to 2021 was notably high from March to July, while relatively low from October to January. (3) Erosive rainfall was a decisive factor contributing to increased sediment entering the rivers. Vegetation factors, manifested via the quantity (Fractional Vegetation Cover) and quality (Leaf Area Index and Net Primary Productivity) of vegetation, exert a pivotal influence on diminishing sediment export. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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15 pages, 5129 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Scale Evaluation of ERA5 Air Temperature and Precipitation Data over the Poyang Lake Basin of China

by Xie Yan, Meng Zhang, Fangxu Yin, Jiewen You, Ying Chen and Lu Gao

Water 2024, 16(21), 3123; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213123 - 1 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1173

Abstract

Reanalysis datasets, such as ERA5, are essential for climate research, offering comprehensive spatiotemporal coverage. However, their accuracy needs thorough evaluation for effective regional application, particularly in areas with complex topography like the Poyang Lake Basin (PLB), China’s largest freshwater lake. This study evaluated ERA5’s accuracy in simulating near-surface air temperature and precipitation in the PLB, using data from 24 meteorological stations. Key metrics, such as the correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) were applied across daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual scales. The results show that ERA5 performs well for daily mean temperature, with daily R values above 0.98 and RMSEs ranging from 0.95 °C to 3.11 °C. Its highest accuracy was in February and March, with R values exceeding 0.95, and seasonal trends were best captured in spring and autumn (R > 0.99). However, ERA5’s performance for precipitation was less accurate, with daily R values between 0.578 and 0.687 and RMSEs between 8.58 mm and 11.10 mm. ERA5 consistently overestimated precipitation, particularly during 1980–2003. These findings highlight ERA5’s strengths in temperature modeling and its limitations in precipitation, providing insights for identifying climate events and improving climate simulation in the PLB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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23 pages, 12829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Response of Shallow Groundwater Levels to Precipitation Based on Different Wavelet Scales—A Case Study of the Datong Basin, Shanxi

by Hongyue Zhang, Xiaoping Rui, Ye Zhou, Wen Sun, Weiyi Xie, Chaojie Gao and Yingchao Ren

Water 2024, 16(20), 2920; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202920 - 14 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1260

Abstract

The rise in shallow groundwater levels is typically triggered by precipitation recharge, exhibiting a certain lag relative to precipitation changes. Therefore, identifying the response mechanism of shallow groundwater levels to precipitation is crucial for clarifying the interaction between precipitation and groundwater. However, the response mechanism of groundwater levels to precipitation is complex and variable, influenced by various hydrogeological and geographical conditions, and often exhibits significant nonlinear characteristics. To address this issue, this study employs methods such as continuous wavelet transform, cross wavelet transform, and wavelet coherence to analyze the response patterns of groundwater levels to precipitation at different wavelet scales in the Datong Basin from 2013 to 2022: (i) At short wavelet scales (10.33~61.96 d), the groundwater level dynamics respond almost instantaneously to extreme rainfall; (ii) At medium wavelet scales(61.96~247.83 d), the precipitation-groundwater recharge process shows characteristics of either rapid recovery or significant delay; (iii) At long wavelet scales (247.83~495.67 d), three potential groundwater processes were identified in the Datong Basin, exhibiting long-term lag responses throughout this study period, with lag times of 11.18 days, 148.75 days, and 151.49 days, respectively. Furthermore, the results indicate that the lag response time of shallow groundwater levels to precipitation is not only related to the wavelet scale but also to the identified depth conditions of different groundwater regions, groundwater extraction intensity, precipitation intensity, and aquifer lithology. This study distinguishes the temporal and spatial response mechanisms of shallow groundwater to precipitation at different wavelet scales, and this information may further aid in understanding the interaction between precipitation and groundwater levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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16 pages, 4052 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Bibliometric Review and Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Brahmaputra River

by Yisha Ma and Tao Song

Water 2024, 16(21), 3115; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213115 - 31 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1195

Abstract

In this study, we visualize and analyze the literature on the Brahmaputra river using a spectral clustering algorithm, tracking research trends over time. We found that the focus of research on the Brahmaputra has changed over time in the last decade, with a shift from geology to hydrology and geochemistry and a rapid growth in climate change research in recent years. In the future, potential hot topics may be “water resource management” and other topics related to transboundary water resource management and cooperation. At the same time, this study also analyzes in detail the keywords and clusters “geohydrology” and “ecological risk and sustainable development”, among other topics. We believe that future research should carefully consider the potential effects of transdisciplinary research trends. For instance, it is urgent that transborder governance and management regimes be renovated through joint efforts and cross-border effective actions carried out by multifaceted and multi-scalar agencies along this river. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interrelationship Between Climate Change, Human Activities and Hydrological Processes (3rd Edition))

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