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Hydrological Effects of Vegetation Cover Degradation and Environmental Implications in a Semiarid Temperate Steppe, China

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Listed:
  • Lei Sun

    (Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Lizhe Yang

    (Marine Hydrometeorology Centre of North China Sea Naval Fleet, Qingdao 266003, China)

  • Lu Hao

    (Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Di Fang

    (Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Kailun Jin

    (Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

  • Xiaolin Huang

    (Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, China)

Abstract

Studying the impact of vegetation dynamics on hydrological processes is essential for environmental management to reduce ecological environment risk and develop sustainable water management strategies under global warming. This case study simulated the responses of streamflow to vegetation cover degradation under climate variations in the Xilin River Basin in a semi-arid steppe of northern China. The snowmelt and river ice melting processes in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were improved to estimate the changes in streamflow under multiple scenarios. Results showed that the improved SWAT simulations matched well to the measured monthly streamflow for both calibration (determination coefficient R2 = 0.75 and Nash–Sutcliffe ENS = 0.67) and validation periods (R2 = 0.74 and ENS = 0.68). Simulations of vegetation change revealed that obvious changes occurred in streamflow through conversion between high and low vegetation covers. The reductions in vegetation cover can elevate streamflow in both rainfall and snowmelt season, but the effects are most pronounced during the rainfall seasons (i.e., the growing seasons) and in drier years. These findings highlight the importance of vegetation degradation on modifying the hydrological partitioning in a semi-arid steppe basin. We conclude that in a particular climate zone, vegetation cover change is one of the important contributing factors to streamflow variations. Increases in streamflow in water-limited regions will likely reduce the effective water content of soil, which in turn leads to further degradation risk in vegetation. Therefore, vegetation cover management is one of the most effective and sustainable methods of improving water resources in water-constrained regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Sun & Lizhe Yang & Lu Hao & Di Fang & Kailun Jin & Xiaolin Huang, 2017. "Hydrological Effects of Vegetation Cover Degradation and Environmental Implications in a Semiarid Temperate Steppe, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:2:p:281-:d:90419
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Strauch, Michael & Volk, Martin, 2013. "SWAT plant growth modification for improved modeling of perennial vegetation in the tropics," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 269(C), pages 98-112.
    2. Chomitz, Kenneth M & Kumari, Kanta, 1998. "The Domestic Benefits of Tropical Forests: A Critical Review," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 13(1), pages 13-35, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zilu Zhang & Jingzhao Ma & Tianhao Wang & Wenbo Song & Lu Hao, 2023. "Identify the relationship of meteorological drought and ecohydrological drought in Xilin Gol Grassland, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(2), pages 2549-2564, March.
    2. Yuwei Wang & Zhenyu Wang & Ruren Li & Xiaoliang Meng & Xingjun Ju & Yuguo Zhao & Zongyao Sha, 2018. "Comparison of Modeling Grassland Degradation with and without Considering Localized Spatial Associations in Vegetation Changing Patterns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, January.

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