Work

Estimation of landscape water storage changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on multi-source data

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Study region Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) Study focus Landscape water storage (LWS) in the QTP serves as a critical resource sustaining diverse ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of societies across Asia. Relying solely on field surveys and single data sources makes it difficult to estimate LWS. In this study, we utilized multiple data sources to estimate the changes in vegetation water storage (VWS), snow water equivalent storage (SWES), glacier water equivalent storage (GWES), lake and channel water storage (LCWS), and soil water storage (SWS) on the QTP from 2001 to 2020. New hydrological insights for the region The entropy method was used to construct the LWS index (LWSI) and a normalized LWS change index (NLWSCI) was constructed to reflect variations across different types of LWS. Two zoning schemes were established based on the NLWSCI and LWSI. From 2001–2020, the total LWS volume decreased by 124.15 km³ ; the total volumes of GWES, SWES, and VWS decreased by 343.76 km³ , 3.70 km³ , and 1.64 km³ , respectively, whereas those of LCWS and SWS increased by 179.24 km³ and 45.71 km³ , respectively. Changes in the area and volume of LWS were determined according to NLWSCI and LWSI zoning schemes. Finally, we analyzed the drivers of spatial distribution changes in different types of LWS and proposed strategies for protecting the LWS of the QTP.

Source: Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2025.102444

Authors: Junjie Lei, Chengsong Li, Wunian Yang, Xin Yang, Xiaolong Xing

Institutions: Chengdu University of Technology, Shangqiu Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Environmental and Agricultural Sciences

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Clean water and sanitation, Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600