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Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate
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Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 7888

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kayiranga Alphonse

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Desert Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences (XIEG-CAS), Urumqi, China
Interests: fascinated in remote sensing and geo-informatics applications in ecohydrology and landscape monitoring and management. Currently working on modeling land and atmosphere interactions, specifically modelling the eco-hydro-climate characteristics using different process-based models

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Watershed ecology, hydrology and climate are the key components of ecosystem ecology and environmental dynamics. Changes in climate strongly affect the hydrological cycle from global to watershed scales. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform to understand the ecohydrological dynamics and related climate effect issues. We are interested in papers that provide a strong understanding and synthesis of topics related to ecohydrology and climate scenarios at, but not limited to, the watershed scale.

Dr. Kayiranga Alphonse
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • watershed scale
  • watershed hydrological cycle
  • eco-hydrological dynamics
  • climate scenarios
  • groundwater monitoring
  • surface water
  • water use
  • flood
  • water erosion
  • watershed ecology
  • remote sensing for hydrology

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 5245 KiB  
Article
Numerical Modeling of Instream Flow for Corbicula Habitat Preservation in Aquatic Ecosystem of Seomjin River Estuary, South Korea
by Chunggil Jung, Gayeong Lee and Jongyoon Park
Water 2024, 16(22), 3268; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16223268 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 425
Abstract
South Korea’s River Act mandates the maintenance of instream flow to support river ecosystems. This regulation has evolved from early river management practices to more advanced, systematic approaches, including the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM). Despite these advancements, river management in South Korea, [...] Read more.
South Korea’s River Act mandates the maintenance of instream flow to support river ecosystems. This regulation has evolved from early river management practices to more advanced, systematic approaches, including the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM). Despite these advancements, river management in South Korea, particularly in the Seomjin River Basin, continues to face numerous challenges. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model was developed to simulate the hydrodynamic and salinity conditions of the Seomjin River Estuary. This study proposes optimal instream flows to support critical habitats for the Corbicula bivalve, which has seen a significant decline due to salinity intrusion by environmental changes. Using the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), the model simulates salinity and river discharge with calibration and validation by incorporating historical data. Subsequently, this study evaluates how river discharge affects salinity in four major Corbicula habitats (Dugok, Shinbi, Mokdo, and Hwamok). Finally, we determine the minimum flow (instream flow) needed to sustain Corbicula habitats. In short, this study found that the minimum flow rates (instream flow) required to meet target salinities varied significantly across these sites and under different tidal conditions. These findings highlight the necessity of adapting river flow management practices to preserve the ecological health for Corbicula in the Seomjin River Estuary. Furthermore, this study suggests integrating an additional water supply to be used with local water management plans by suggesting short-term and long-term alternatives in order to sustain adapting river minimum flow (instream flow). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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17 pages, 8794 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Non-Point Source Pollution in the Nyabarongo River Catchment, Rwanda
by Justin Nsanzabaganwa, Xi Chen, Tie Liu, Egide Hakorimana, Richard Mind’je, Aboubakar Gasirabo, Bakayisire Fabiola, Adeline Umugwaneza and Niyonsenga Schadrack
Water 2024, 16(21), 3033; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213033 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 745
Abstract
The Nyabarongo river catchment in Rwanda has experienced significant changes in its land use and land cover (LULC) in recent decades, with profound implications for non-point source pollution. However, there are limited studies on non-point pollution caused by nutrient loss associated with land [...] Read more.
The Nyabarongo river catchment in Rwanda has experienced significant changes in its land use and land cover (LULC) in recent decades, with profound implications for non-point source pollution. However, there are limited studies on non-point pollution caused by nutrient loss associated with land use and land cover changes in the catchment. This study investigates the spatiotemporal impacts of these changes on water quality considering nitrogen and phosphorus within the catchment from 2000 to 2020 and 2030 as a projection. The SWAT model was used in analysis of hydrological simulations, while the CA–Markov model was used for the future projection of LULC in 2030. The results revealed (1) the important changes in LULC in the study area, where a decrease in forestland was observed with a considerable increase in built-up land, grassland, and cropland; (2) that the R2 and NSE of the TN and TP in the runoff simulation in the catchment were all above 0.70, showing good applicability during calibration and validation periods; (3) that from 2000 to 2020 and looking to the projection in 2030, the simulated monthly average TN and TP levels have progressively increased from 15.36 to 145.71 kg/ha, 2.46 to 15.47 kg/ha, 67.2 to 158.8 kg/ha, and 9.3 to 17.43 kg/ha, respectively; and (4) that the most polluted land use types are agriculture and urban areas, due to increases in human activities as a consequence of population growth in the catchment. Understanding the patterns and drivers of these changes is critical for developing effective policies and practices for sustainable land management and protection of water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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26 pages, 89993 KiB  
Article
Flooding Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Using Remote Sensing Data and Geospatial Techniques: A Case Study from Mekkah Province, Saudi Arabia
by Bashar Bashir and Abdullah Alsalman
Water 2024, 16(19), 2714; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192714 - 24 Sep 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
Flash floods are catastrophic phenomena that pose a serious risk to coastal infrastructures, towns, villages, and cities. This study assesses the risk of flash floods in the ungauged Mekkah province region based on specific and effective morphometric and topographic features characterizing the study [...] Read more.
Flash floods are catastrophic phenomena that pose a serious risk to coastal infrastructures, towns, villages, and cities. This study assesses the risk of flash floods in the ungauged Mekkah province region based on specific and effective morphometric and topographic features characterizing the study region. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were employed to construct a digital elevation model (DEM) for a detailed analysis, and the geographical information systems software 10.4 (GIS) was utilized to assess the linear, area, and relief aspects of the morphometric parameters. The ArcHydro tool was used to prepare the primary parameters, including the watershed border, flow accumulation, flow direction, flow length, and stream ordering. The study region’s flash flood hazard degrees were assessed using several morphometric characteristics that were measured, computed, and connected. Two different and effective methods were used to independently develop two models of flood vulnerability behaviors. The integrated method analysis revealed that most of the eastern and western parts of the studied province provide high levels of flood vulnerability. Due to it being one of the most helpful topographic indices, the integrated flood vulnerability final map was overlayed with the topographic position index (TPI). The integrated results aided in understanding the link between the general basins’ morphometric characteristics and their topographical features for mapping the different flood susceptibility locations over the entire studied province. Thus, this can be applied to investigate a surface-specific reduction plan against the impacts of flood hazards in the studied landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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18 pages, 7135 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Hydrological Analysis of the Buha River Watershed with High-Resolution SHUD Modeling
by Yan Chang, Xiaodong Li, Lele Shu and Haijuan Ji
Water 2024, 16(14), 2015; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142015 - 16 Jul 2024
Viewed by 784
Abstract
This study utilizes the Simulator of Hydrologic Unstructured Domains (SHUD) model and the China Meteorological Forces Dataset (CMFD) to investigate the hydrological dynamics of the Buha River watershed, a critical tributary of Qinghai Lake, from 1979 to 2018. By integrating high-resolution terrestrial and [...] Read more.
This study utilizes the Simulator of Hydrologic Unstructured Domains (SHUD) model and the China Meteorological Forces Dataset (CMFD) to investigate the hydrological dynamics of the Buha River watershed, a critical tributary of Qinghai Lake, from 1979 to 2018. By integrating high-resolution terrestrial and meteorological data, the SHUD model simulates streamflow variations and other hydrological characteristics, providing valuable insights into the region’s water balance and runoff processes. Key findings reveal a consistent upward trend in precipitation and temperature over the past four decades, despite minor deviations in daily precipitation intensity and relative humidity data. The SHUD model demonstrates high accuracy on a monthly scale, with Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) values of 0.72 for the calibration phase and 0.61 for the validation phase. The corresponding Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) values are 0.73 and 0.49, respectively, underscoring the model’s applicability for hydrological forecasting and water resource management. Notably, the annual runoff ratios for the Buha River fluctuate annually between 0.11 and 0.21, with significant changes around 2007 correlating with a shift in Qinghai Lake’s water levels. The analysis of water balance indicates a net leakage over long-term periods, with spatial alterations in leakage and replenishment along the river. Furthermore, snow accumulation, which increases with altitude, significantly contributes to streamflow during the melting season. Despite the Buha River basin’s importance, research on its hydrology remains limited due to data scarcity and minimal human activity. This study enhances the understanding of the Buha River’s hydrological processes and highlights the necessity for improved dataset accuracy and model parameter optimization in future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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17 pages, 2897 KiB  
Article
Climate-Driven Dynamics of Runoff in the Dayekou Basin: A Comprehensive Analysis of Temperature, Precipitation, and Anthropogenic Influences over a 25-Year Period
by Erwen Xu, Xiaofeng Ren, Isaac Dennis Amoah, Cleophas Achisa Mecha, Kevin Emmanuel Scriber II, Rongxin Wang and Jingzhong Zhao
Water 2024, 16(7), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070919 - 22 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1113
Abstract
Understanding runoff dynamics is vital for effective water management in climate-affected areas. This study focuses on the Dayekou basin in China’s Qilian Mountains, known for their high climate variability. Using 25 years of data (1994–2018) on river runoff, precipitation, and temperature, statistical methods [...] Read more.
Understanding runoff dynamics is vital for effective water management in climate-affected areas. This study focuses on the Dayekou basin in China’s Qilian Mountains, known for their high climate variability. Using 25 years of data (1994–2018) on river runoff, precipitation, and temperature, statistical methods were applied to explore the annual variations and climate change impacts on these parameters. Results reveal a significant variability in the river runoff (132.27 to 225.03 mm), precipitation (340.19 to 433.29 mm), and average temperature (1.38 to 2.08 °C) over the period. Decadal rising rates average 17 mm for runoff, 17 mm for precipitation, and 0.25 °C for temperature, with the peak precipitation and runoff occurring in 1998–2000, 2008, and 2016. The annual runoff distribution also exhibited a unimodal pattern, peaking at 39.68 mm in July. The cumulative runoff during low periods constituted only 13.84% of the annual total, concentrated in the second half of the year, particularly during the June-October flood season. The correlation analysis underscored a strong relationship between river runoff and precipitation (correlation coefficient > 0.80), while the temperature correlation was weaker (correlation coefficient < 0.80). This 25-year analysis provides valuable insights into runoff variation, elucidating the interconnected effects of temperature and precipitation in the Dayekou basin, with substantial implications for sustainable development amid climate challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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14 pages, 2224 KiB  
Article
Exploration of Applicability of Diatom Indices to Evaluate Water Ecosystem Quality in Tangwang River in Northeast China
by Hao Xue, Lei Wang, Lingsong Zhang, Yeyao Wang, Fansheng Meng and Min Xu
Water 2023, 15(20), 3695; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15203695 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
The diatom index has been widely used in the evaluation of water ecological quality, but the applicability of the diatom index often varies in different study areas. The accuracy of the evaluation results depends on the applicability of the diatom index, especially when [...] Read more.
The diatom index has been widely used in the evaluation of water ecological quality, but the applicability of the diatom index often varies in different study areas. The accuracy of the evaluation results depends on the applicability of the diatom index, especially when it is not applied to the place where it is created. In order to screen out the diatom index suitable for the evaluation of the water ecological quality of Tangwang River in northeast China, and to identify the factors affecting the accuracy of the diatom index, the community structure and water environment characteristics of 24 sample sites were investigated in Tangwang River in August 2018, and 18 diatom indices were calculated. The discriminative ability of diatom indices was analyzed using the box plot method, and the factors affecting the accuracy of the diatom index were identified by combining Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses. The results show that the discriminability of the Biological Diatom Index (BDI), Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index (IPS), Idse Leclercq (IDSE), Indice Diatomique Artois Picardie (IDAP), Diatom Eutrophication Pollution Index (EPI-D), Trophic Index (Rott TI), European Economic Community Index (CEE), and Watanabe Index (WAT) was the strongest, which could reasonably distinguish the reference group from the lightly damaged group. In general, the water ecological condition of Tangwang River Basin is good in the wet season, and the water ecological quality of about 80% of the sample sites was “moderate” or better. The main factors affecting the evaluation accuracy of the diatom index in Tangwang River Basin are the correlation strength between the diatom index and habitat quality, organic pollution, and nutrients. The coverage of diatom index species had no significant effect on the accuracy of evaluation. In order to reasonably evaluate the aquatic ecological status, it is recommended to use the diatom index, which has a good correlation with the environmental factors in the study area, or to establish a new diatom index based on the diatom community and environmental factors in the study area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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15 pages, 1602 KiB  
Article
The Taxon-Specific Species Sensitivity and Aquatic Ecological Risk Assessment of Three Heavy Metals in Songhua River Water, China
by Lingsong Zhang, Fansheng Meng, Na Liu, Jiasheng Zhang and Hao Xue
Water 2023, 15(20), 3694; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15203694 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1419
Abstract
Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are essential micronutrients for aquatic life, but they produce adverse effects on aquatic organisms when environmental concentrations exceed a certain threshold. The objective of this study was to analyze the taxon-specific sensitivities of aquatic life to [...] Read more.
Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) are essential micronutrients for aquatic life, but they produce adverse effects on aquatic organisms when environmental concentrations exceed a certain threshold. The objective of this study was to analyze the taxon-specific sensitivities of aquatic life to the three metals and assess ecological risks at exposure levels prevalent in the Songhua River, China. The results showed that sensitivities to these metals varied among different taxonomic groups, with intra-taxon sensitivities being lower than inter-taxa sensitivities, and the consistency of intra-taxon sensitivity increased from phylum to order. The maximum detected concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Ni in the Songhua River were 52.7, 166.0, and 65.3 μg/L, respectively, which met the water quality standards set by China but exceeded the chronic criteria established by the USA. A probabilistic risk assessment based on chronic toxicity data revealed that these three metals posed an intermediate to high risk to aquatic animals, with maximum risk products of 36.4% for Cu, 14.3% for Ni, and 6.2% for Zn, respectively. These results indicate that the ecological damage of heavy metals in the Songhua River cannot be ignored. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Watershed Ecology, Hydrology and Climate)
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