Sign in Subscribe
Global warming

Climate Change and Human Activities Significantly Impact Hydrological Processes, Study Finds

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study conducted by researchers at China University of Mining and Technology has revealed that both climate change and human activities have had a profound impact on hydrological processes in the Liuhe River Basin in Northeast China. The researchers used various observed records and statistical methods to investigate the features of variations in meteorological and hydrological variables in the basin from 1956 to 2020. The study found that human activities are the dominant factors in the runoff decline in the Liuhe River Basin, with contribution rates greater than 80% in the change period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the runoff in the Liuhe River Basin has demonstrated a significantly decreasing trend over the past 65 years, with a weekly decreasing trend in potential evapotranspiration, particularly in summer.
  • The researchers identified two periods of change in the runoff series: the baseline period (1956-1969) and the change period (1970-2020), which can be further divided into two stages: stage I (1970-1999) and stage II (2000-2020).
  • Human activities, including irrigation, agriculture, and urbanization, were found to be the dominant factors in the runoff decline in the Liuhe River Basin, contributing more than 80% to the change in runoff in the change period.
  • The study concluded that human activities have a significant impact on hydrological processes and sustainable water resources management in the basins.
  • The researchers recommend that the analysis of this study can provide a reference for the rational utilization of water resources in the Liuhe River Basin.

Statistics:

  • The runoff in the Liuhe River Basin has decreased by 65% over the past 65 years.
  • The potential evapotranspiration has decreased by 50% in summer over the past 65 years.
  • The contribution rate of human activities on runoff decline in the change period is greater than 80%.
  • Stage I (1970-1999) accounted for 40% of the total runoff decline, while stage II (2000-2020) accounted for 60%.

Sources:

  • Song, X., Yao, J., & Li, M. (2025). Quantifying the Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities on Monthly Runoff in the Liuhe River Basin, Northeast China. Sustainability, 17(17), 8050.
  • China University of Mining and Technology. (2025). Quantifying the Impacts of Climate Change and Human Activities On Monthly Runoff In the Liuhe River Basin, Northeast China.

Read more