Articles | Volume 29, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-613-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-613-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Feb 2025
Research article |
| 04 Feb 2025
| 04 Feb 2025
Assessing recovery time of ecosystems in China: insights into flash drought impacts on gross primary productivity
Mengge Lu
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 22362 Lund, Sweden
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
College of Water Conservancy and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China
Hubei Key Laboratory of Digital River Basin Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yong Yang
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Jie Xue
State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ürümqi 830011, China
Hongbo Ling
State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ürümqi 830011, China
Hong Zhang
School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
Wenxin Zhang
Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 22362 Lund, Sweden
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Marielle Saunois, Adrien Martinez, Benjamin Poulter, Zhen Zhang, Peter A. Raymond, Pierre Regnier, Josep G. Canadell, Robert B. Jackson, Prabir K. Patra, Philippe Bousquet, Philippe Ciais, Edward J. Dlugokencky, Xin Lan, George H. Allen, David Bastviken, David J. Beerling, Dmitry A. Belikov, Donald R. Blake, Simona Castaldi, Monica Crippa, Bridget R. Deemer, Fraser Dennison, Giuseppe Etiope, Nicola Gedney, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Meredith A. Holgerson, Peter O. Hopcroft, Gustaf Hugelius, Akihiko Ito, Atul K. Jain, Rajesh Janardanan, Matthew S. Johnson, Thomas Kleinen, Paul B. Krummel, Ronny Lauerwald, Tingting Li, Xiangyu Liu, Kyle C. McDonald, Joe R. Melton, Jens Mühle, Jurek Müller, Fabiola Murguia-Flores, Yosuke Niwa, Sergio Noce, Shufen Pan, Robert J. Parker, Changhui Peng, Michel Ramonet, William J. Riley, Gerard Rocher-Ros, Judith A. Rosentreter, Motoki Sasakawa, Arjo Segers, Steven J. Smith, Emily H. Stanley, Joël Thanwerdas, Hanqin Tian, Aki Tsuruta, Francesco N. Tubiello, Thomas S. Weber, Guido R. van der Werf, Douglas E. J. Worthy, Yi Xi, Yukio Yoshida, Wenxin Zhang, Bo Zheng, Qing Zhu, Qiuan Zhu, and Qianlai Zhuang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 1873–1958, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1873-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1873-2025, 2025
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Methane (CH4) is the second most important human-influenced greenhouse gas in terms of climate forcing after carbon dioxide (CO2). A consortium of multi-disciplinary scientists synthesise and update the budget of the sources and sinks of CH4. This edition benefits from important progress in estimating emissions from lakes and ponds, reservoirs, and streams and rivers. For the 2010s decade, global CH4 emissions are estimated at 575 Tg CH4 yr-1, including ~65 % from anthropogenic sources.
Yong Yang, Huaiwei Sun, Jingfeng Wang, Wenxin Zhang, Gang Zhao, Weiguang Wang, Lei Cheng, Lu Chen, Hui Qin, and Zhanzhang Cai
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 1191–1216, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1191-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1191-2025, 2025
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Traditional methods for estimating ocean heat flux often introduce large uncertainties due to complex parameterizations. To tackle this issue, we developed a novel framework based on maximum entropy production (MEP) theory. By incorporating heat storage effects and refining the Bowen ratio, we enhanced the MEP method's accuracy. This research derives a new long-term global ocean latent heat flux dataset that offers high accuracy, enhancing our understanding of ocean energy dynamics.
Jianting Zhao, Lin Zhao, Ze Sun, Guojie Hu, Defu Zou, Minxuan Xiao, Guangyue Liu, Qiangqiang Pang, Erji Du, Zhibin Li, Xiaodong Wu, Yao Xiao, Lingxiao Wang, and Wenxin Zhang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3956, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3956, 2025
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The thermal regime is a key indicator of permafrost evolution. We quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of the permafrost status in western Tibet since the 1980s, based on numerical simulations using the enhanced, model-forcing-driven Moving-Grid Permafrost Model. Our simulated results indicated that slow and lagged response of permafrost to climate warming, which closely linked to historical thermal conditions.
Zhen Zhang, Benjamin Poulter, Joe R. Melton, William J. Riley, George H. Allen, David J. Beerling, Philippe Bousquet, Josep G. Canadell, Etienne Fluet-Chouinard, Philippe Ciais, Nicola Gedney, Peter O. Hopcroft, Akihiko Ito, Robert B. Jackson, Atul K. Jain, Katherine Jensen, Fortunat Joos, Thomas Kleinen, Sara H. Knox, Tingting Li, Xin Li, Xiangyu Liu, Kyle McDonald, Gavin McNicol, Paul A. Miller, Jurek Müller, Prabir K. Patra, Changhui Peng, Shushi Peng, Zhangcai Qin, Ryan M. Riggs, Marielle Saunois, Qing Sun, Hanqin Tian, Xiaoming Xu, Yuanzhi Yao, Yi Xi, Wenxin Zhang, Qing Zhu, Qiuan Zhu, and Qianlai Zhuang
Biogeosciences, 22, 305–321, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-305-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-305-2025, 2025
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This study assesses global methane emissions from wetlands between 2000 and 2020 using multiple models. We found that wetland emissions increased by 6–7 Tg CH4 yr-1 in the 2010s compared to the 2000s. Rising temperatures primarily drove this increase, while changes in precipitation and CO2 levels also played roles. Our findings highlight the importance of wetlands in the global methane budget and the need for continuous monitoring to understand their impact on climate change.
Ana Maria Roxana Petrescu, Glen P. Peters, Richard Engelen, Sander Houweling, Dominik Brunner, Aki Tsuruta, Bradley Matthews, Prabir K. Patra, Dmitry Belikov, Rona L. Thompson, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Wenxin Zhang, Arjo J. Segers, Giuseppe Etiope, Giancarlo Ciotoli, Philippe Peylin, Frédéric Chevallier, Tuula Aalto, Robbie M. Andrew, David Bastviken, Antoine Berchet, Grégoire Broquet, Giulia Conchedda, Stijn N. C. Dellaert, Hugo Denier van der Gon, Johannes Gütschow, Jean-Matthieu Haussaire, Ronny Lauerwald, Tiina Markkanen, Jacob C. A. van Peet, Isabelle Pison, Pierre Regnier, Espen Solum, Marko Scholze, Maria Tenkanen, Francesco N. Tubiello, Guido R. van der Werf, and John R. Worden
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 4325–4350, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-4325-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-4325-2024, 2024
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This study provides an overview of data availability from observation- and inventory-based CH4 emission estimates. It systematically compares them and provides recommendations for robust comparisons, aiming to steadily engage more parties in using observational methods to complement their UNFCCC submissions. Anticipating improvements in atmospheric modelling and observations, future developments need to resolve knowledge gaps in both approaches and to better quantify remaining uncertainty.
Jie Zhang, Elisabeth Larsen Kolstad, Wenxin Zhang, Iris Vogeler, and Søren O. Petersen
Biogeosciences, 20, 3895–3917, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3895-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-3895-2023, 2023
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Manure application to agricultural land often results in large and variable N2O emissions. We propose a model with a parsimonious structure to investigate N transformations around such N2O hotspots. The model allows for new detailed insights into the interactions between transport and microbial activities regarding N2O emissions in heterogeneous soil environments. It highlights the importance of solute diffusion to N2O emissions from such hotspots which are often ignored by process-based models.
Jie Zhang, Wenxin Zhang, Per-Erik Jansson, and Søren O. Petersen
Biogeosciences, 19, 4811–4832, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4811-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4811-2022, 2022
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In this study, we relied on a properly controlled laboratory experiment to test the model’s capability of simulating the dominant microbial processes and the emissions of one greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide, N2O) from agricultural soils. This study reveals important processes and parameters that regulate N2O emissions in the investigated model framework and also suggests future steps of model development, which have implications on the broader communities of ecosystem modelers.
Marielle Saunois, Ann R. Stavert, Ben Poulter, Philippe Bousquet, Josep G. Canadell, Robert B. Jackson, Peter A. Raymond, Edward J. Dlugokencky, Sander Houweling, Prabir K. Patra, Philippe Ciais, Vivek K. Arora, David Bastviken, Peter Bergamaschi, Donald R. Blake, Gordon Brailsford, Lori Bruhwiler, Kimberly M. Carlson, Mark Carrol, Simona Castaldi, Naveen Chandra, Cyril Crevoisier, Patrick M. Crill, Kristofer Covey, Charles L. Curry, Giuseppe Etiope, Christian Frankenberg, Nicola Gedney, Michaela I. Hegglin, Lena Höglund-Isaksson, Gustaf Hugelius, Misa Ishizawa, Akihiko Ito, Greet Janssens-Maenhout, Katherine M. Jensen, Fortunat Joos, Thomas Kleinen, Paul B. Krummel, Ray L. Langenfelds, Goulven G. Laruelle, Licheng Liu, Toshinobu Machida, Shamil Maksyutov, Kyle C. McDonald, Joe McNorton, Paul A. Miller, Joe R. Melton, Isamu Morino, Jurek Müller, Fabiola Murguia-Flores, Vaishali Naik, Yosuke Niwa, Sergio Noce, Simon O'Doherty, Robert J. Parker, Changhui Peng, Shushi Peng, Glen P. Peters, Catherine Prigent, Ronald Prinn, Michel Ramonet, Pierre Regnier, William J. Riley, Judith A. Rosentreter, Arjo Segers, Isobel J. Simpson, Hao Shi, Steven J. Smith, L. Paul Steele, Brett F. Thornton, Hanqin Tian, Yasunori Tohjima, Francesco N. Tubiello, Aki Tsuruta, Nicolas Viovy, Apostolos Voulgarakis, Thomas S. Weber, Michiel van Weele, Guido R. van der Werf, Ray F. Weiss, Doug Worthy, Debra Wunch, Yi Yin, Yukio Yoshida, Wenxin Zhang, Zhen Zhang, Yuanhong Zhao, Bo Zheng, Qing Zhu, Qiuan Zhu, and Qianlai Zhuang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 1561–1623, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-1561-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-12-1561-2020, 2020
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Understanding and quantifying the global methane (CH4) budget is important for assessing realistic pathways to mitigate climate change. We have established a consortium of multidisciplinary scientists under the umbrella of the Global Carbon Project to synthesize and stimulate new research aimed at improving and regularly updating the global methane budget. This is the second version of the review dedicated to the decadal methane budget, integrating results of top-down and bottom-up estimates.
Dongwei Gui, Jie Xue, Yi Liu, Jiaqiang Lei, and Fanjiang Zeng
Solid Earth Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2017-59, https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2017-59, 2017
Revised manuscript not accepted
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This paper clarifies the dialectical relationship between oasification and desertification in arid regions, and it also elucidates the significance of oasification research in Northwest China. Furthermore, the study points out the key point in the oasification research.
Jie Xue, Dongwei Gui, Jiaqiang Lei, Fanjiang Zeng, Rong Huang, and Donglei Mao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-618, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2016-618, 2016
Preprint retracted
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There is an increasing consensus on the importance of integrating ecosystem services into integrated water resource management due to a wide range of benefits to human from the ecosystem services. This paper develops a participatory Bayesian network model to perform an ecosystem services-based water management framework under public participation. The participatory Bayesian network effectively provides the support of transdisciplinary water management.
Related subject area
Subject: Ecohydrology | Techniques and Approaches: Theory development
Drought research priorities, trends, and geographic patterns
Canopy structure modulates the sensitivity of subalpine forest stands to interannual snowpack and precipitation variability
Combined impacts of climate change and human activities on blue and green water resources in a high-intensity development watershed
Future response of ecosystem water use efficiency to CO2 effects in the Yellow River Basin, China
Temporal shift in groundwater fauna in southwestern Germany
Root zone in the Earth system
Soil water sources and their implications for vegetation restoration in the Three-Rivers Headwater Region during different ablation periods
Biocrust-reduced soil water retention and soil infiltration in an alpine Kobresia meadow
The natural abundance of stable water isotopes method may overestimate deep-layer soil water use by trees
Contribution of cryosphere to runoff in the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and arid region based on environmental isotopes
Vegetation optimality explains the convergence of catchments on the Budyko curve
Differential response of plant transpiration to uptake of rainwater-recharged soil water for dominant tree species in the semiarid Loess Plateau
Isotopic offsets between bulk plant water and its sources are larger in cool and wet environments
Hydrology without dimensions
Long-term climate-influenced land cover change in discontinuous permafrost peatland complexes
Groundwater fauna in an urban area – natural or affected?
Age and origin of leaf wax n-alkanes in fluvial sediment–paleosol sequences and implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions
Seasonal partitioning of precipitation between streamflow and evapotranspiration, inferred from end-member splitting analysis
The influence of litter crusts on soil properties and hydrological processes in a sandy ecosystem
Unexplained hydrogen isotope offsets complicate the identification and quantification of tree water sources in a riparian forest
A synthesis of three decades of hydrological research at Scotty Creek, NWT, Canada
Potential evaporation at eddy-covariance sites across the globe
Scaling properties reveal regulation of river flows in the Amazon through a “forest reservoir”
Water movement through plant roots – exact solutions of the water flow equation in roots with linear or exponential piecewise hydraulic properties
Large-scale vegetation responses to terrestrial moisture storage changes
Vegetation dynamics and climate seasonality jointly control the interannual catchment water balance in the Loess Plateau under the Budyko framework
Leaf-scale experiments reveal an important omission in the Penman–Monteith equation
The Budyko functions under non-steady-state conditions
Matching the Budyko functions with the complementary evaporation relationship: consequences for the drying power of the air and the Priestley–Taylor coefficient
Hydrological recovery in two large forested watersheds of southeastern China: the importance of watershed properties in determining hydrological responses to reforestation
The socioecohydrology of rainwater harvesting in India: understanding water storage and release dynamics across spatial scales
Nitrate sinks and sources as controls of spatio-temporal water quality dynamics in an agricultural headwater catchment
Impacts of beaver dams on hydrologic and temperature regimes in a mountain stream
Estimation of crop water requirements: extending the one-step approach to dual crop coefficients
Technical Note: On the Matt–Shuttleworth approach to estimate crop water requirements
Horizontal soil water potential heterogeneity: simplifying approaches for crop water dynamics models
Hurricane impacts on a pair of coastal forested watersheds: implications of selective hurricane damage to forest structure and streamflow dynamics
Regional and local patterns in depth to water table, hydrochemistry and peat properties of bogs and their laggs in coastal British Columbia
Impacts of forest changes on hydrology: a case study of large watersheds in the upper reaches of Minjiang River watershed in China
A simple three-dimensional macroscopic root water uptake model based on the hydraulic architecture approach
Training hydrologists to be ecohydrologists and play a leading role in environmental problem solving
Thermodynamic constraints on effective energy and mass transfer and catchment function
Can we predict groundwater discharge from terrestrial ecosystems using existing eco-hydrological concepts?
Macroinvertebrate community responses to a dewatering disturbance gradient in a restored stream
Mechanisms of vegetation uprooting by flow in alluvial non-cohesive sediment
Forest decline caused by high soil water conditions in a permafrost region
Roland Baatz, Gohar Ghazaryan, Michael Hagenlocher, Claas Nendel, Andrea Toreti, and Ehsan Eyshi Rezaei
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 1379–1393, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1379-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1379-2025, 2025
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Our global review of 130 000 peer-reviewed articles reveals that drought forecasting and plant genetics dominate drought research priorities. Using topic modelling, we traced evolving themes from 1901 to 2022, highlighting a shift from ecology to cutting-edge technologies. By applying unsupervised machine learning, we offer insights into how integrated approaches matter, guiding future priorities to strengthen drought resilience and to safeguard water resources.
Max Berkelhammer, Gerald F. M. Page, Frank Zurek, Christopher Still, Mariah S. Carbone, William Talavera, Laura Hildebrand, James Byron, Kyle Inthabandith, Angellica Kucinski, Melissa Carlson, Kelsey Foss, Wendy Brown, Rosemary W. H. Carroll, Austin Simonpietri, Marshall Worsham, Ian Breckheimer, Anna Ryken, Reed Maxwell, David Gochis, Mark S. Raleigh, Eric Small, and Kenneth H. Williams
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 701–718, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-701-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-701-2025, 2025
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Warming in montane systems is affecting the snowmelt input amount. At the global scale, this will impact subalpine forests that rely on spring snowmelt to support their water demands. We use a network of sensors across a hillslope in the Upper Colorado Basin to show that the changing spring snowpack has a more pronounced impact on dense forest stands, while open stands show a higher reliance on summer rain and are less sensitive to significant changes in snow.
Xuejin Tan, Bingjun Liu, Xuezhi Tan, Zeqin Huang, and Jianyu Fu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 29, 427–445, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-427-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-427-2025, 2025
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We assess changes in blue and green water scarcity in an anthropogenic highly impacted watershed and their association with climate change and land use change, using the multi-water-flux validated Soil and Water Assessment Tool. Observed streamflow, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture are integrated into model calibration and validation. Results show that both climate change and land use change decrease blue water, while land use change increases green water.
Siwei Chen, Yuxue Guo, Yue-Ping Xu, and Lu Wang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4989–5009, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4989-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4989-2024, 2024
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Our research explores how increased CO2 levels affect water use efficiency in the Yellow River basin. Using updated climate models, we found that future climate change significantly impacts water use efficiency, leading to improved plant resilience against moderate droughts. These findings help predict how ecosystems might adapt to environmental changes, providing essential insights into ways of managing water resources under varying climate conditions.
Fabien Koch, Philipp Blum, Heide Stein, Andreas Fuchs, Hans Jürgen Hahn, and Kathrin Menberg
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4927–4946, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4927-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4927-2024, 2024
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In this study, we identify shifts in groundwater fauna due to natural or human impacts over 2 decades. We find no overall temporal or large-scale trends in fauna or abiotic parameters. However, at a local level, six monitoring wells show shifting or fluctuating faunal parameters. Our findings indicate that changes in surface conditions should be assessed in line with hydrochemical parameters to better understand changes in groundwater fauna and to obtain reliable biomonitoring results.
Hongkai Gao, Markus Hrachowitz, Lan Wang-Erlandsson, Fabrizio Fenicia, Qiaojuan Xi, Jianyang Xia, Wei Shao, Ge Sun, and Hubert H. G. Savenije
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 4477–4499, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4477-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-4477-2024, 2024
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The concept of the root zone is widely used but lacks a precise definition. Its importance in Earth system science is not well elaborated upon. Here, we clarified its definition with several similar terms to bridge the multi-disciplinary gap. We underscore the key role of the root zone in the Earth system, which links the biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and anthroposphere. To better represent the root zone, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards ecosystem-centred modelling.
Zongxing Li, Juan Gui, Qiao Cui, Jian Xue, Fa Du, and Lanping Si
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 28, 719–734, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-719-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-719-2024, 2024
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Precipitation, ground ice, and snow meltwater accounted for approximately 72 %, 20 %, and 8 % of soil water during the early ablation period. Snow is completely melted in the heavy ablation period and the end of the ablation period, and precipitation contributed about 90 % and 94 % of soil water, respectively. These recharges also vary markedly with altitude and vegetation type.
Licong Dai, Ruiyu Fu, Xiaowei Guo, Yangong Du, Guangmin Cao, Huakun Zhou, and Zhongmin Hu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 4247–4256, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4247-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-4247-2023, 2023
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We found that, in the 0–30 cm soil layer, soil water retention and soil water content in normal Kobresia meadow (NM) were higher than those in biocrust meadow (BM), whereas the 30–40 cm layer's soil water retention and soil water content in NM were lower than those in BM. The topsoil infiltration rate in BM was lower than that in NM. Our findings revealed that the establishment of biocrust did not improve soil water retention and infiltration.
Shaofei Wang, Xiaodong Gao, Min Yang, Gaopeng Huo, Xiaolin Song, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Pute Wu, and Xining Zhao
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 123–137, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-123-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-123-2023, 2023
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Water uptake depth of 11-year-old apple trees reached 300 cm in the blossom and young fruit stage and only 100 cm in the fruit swelling stage, while 17-year-old trees always consumed water from 0–320 cm soil layers. Overall, the natural abundance of stable water isotopes method overestimated the contribution of deep soil water, especially in the 320–500 cm soils. Our findings highlight that determining the occurrence of root water uptake in deep soils helps to quantify trees' water use strategy.
Juan Gui, Zongxing Li, Qi Feng, Qiao Cui, and Jian Xue
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 27, 97–122, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-97-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-27-97-2023, 2023
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As the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and the arid region, the Qilian Mountains are important ecological barriers and source regions of inland rivers in northwest China. In recent decades, drastic changes in the cryosphere have had a significant impact on the quantity and formation process of water resources in the Qilian Mountains. The mountain runoff of the Qilian Mountains mainly comes from the cryosphere belt, which contributes to approximately 80 % runoff.
Remko C. Nijzink and Stanislaus J. Schymanski
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 6289–6309, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6289-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-6289-2022, 2022
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Most catchments plot close to the empirical Budyko curve, which allows for estimating the long-term mean annual evaporation and runoff. We found that a model that optimizes vegetation properties in response to changes in precipitation leads it to converge to a single curve. In contrast, models that assume no changes in vegetation start to deviate from a single curve. This implies that vegetation has a stabilizing role, bringing catchments back to equilibrium after changes in climate.
Yakun Tang, Lina Wang, Yongqiang Yu, and Dongxu Lu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4995–5013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4995-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4995-2022, 2022
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Whether rainwater-recharged soil water (RRS) uptake can increase plant transpiration after rainfall pulses requires investigation. Our results indicate a differential response of plant transpiration to RRS uptake. Mixed afforestation enhances these water relationships and decreases soil water source competition in deep soil. Our results suggest that plant species or plantation types that can enhance RRS uptake and reduce water competition should be considered for use in water-limited regions.
Javier de la Casa, Adrià Barbeta, Asun Rodríguez-Uña, Lisa Wingate, Jérôme Ogée, and Teresa E. Gimeno
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 4125–4146, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4125-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-4125-2022, 2022
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Recently, studies have been reporting mismatches in the water isotopic composition of plants and soils. In this work, we reviewed worldwide isotopic composition data of field and laboratory studies to see if the mismatch is generalised, and we found it to be true. This contradicts theoretical expectations and may underlie an non-described phenomenon that should be forward investigated and implemented in ecohydrological models to avoid erroneous estimations of water sources used by vegetation.
Amilcare Porporato
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 355–374, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-355-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-355-2022, 2022
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Applying dimensional analysis to the partitioning of water and soil on terrestrial landscapes reveals their dominant environmental controls. We discuss how the dryness index and the storage index affect the long-term rainfall partitioning, the key nonlinear control of the dryness index in global datasets of weathering rates, and the existence of new macroscopic relations among average variables in landscape evolution statistics with tantalizing analogies with turbulent fluctuations.
Olivia Carpino, Kristine Haynes, Ryan Connon, James Craig, Élise Devoie, and William Quinton
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 3301–3317, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3301-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3301-2021, 2021
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This study demonstrates how climate warming in peatland-dominated regions of discontinuous permafrost is changing the form and function of the landscape. Key insights into the rates and patterns of such changes in the coming decades are provided through careful identification of land cover transitional stages and characterization of the hydrological and energy balance regimes for each stage.
Fabien Koch, Kathrin Menberg, Svenja Schweikert, Cornelia Spengler, Hans Jürgen Hahn, and Philipp Blum
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 25, 3053–3070, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3053-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-3053-2021, 2021
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In this study, we address the question of whether groundwater fauna in an urban area is natural or affected in comparison to forested land. We find noticeable differences in the spatial distribution of groundwater species and abiotic parameters. An ecological assessment reveals that conditions in the urban area are mainly not good. Yet, there is no clear spatial pattern in terms of land use and anthropogenic impacts. These are significant findings for conservation and usage of urban groundwater.
Marcel Bliedtner, Hans von Suchodoletz, Imke Schäfer, Caroline Welte, Gary Salazar, Sönke Szidat, Mischa Haas, Nathalie Dubois, and Roland Zech
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2105–2120, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2105-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-2105-2020, 2020
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This study investigates the age and origin of leaf wax n-alkanes from a fluvial sediment–paleosol sequence (FSPS) by compound-class 14C dating. Our results show varying age offsets between the formation and sedimentation of leaf wax n-alkanes from well-developed (paleo)soils and fluvial sediments that are mostly due to their complex origin in such sequences. Thus, dating the leaf wax n-alkanes is an important step for more robust leaf-wax-based paleoenvironmental reconstructions in FSPSs.
James W. Kirchner and Scott T. Allen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 17–39, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-17-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-17-2020, 2020
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Perhaps the oldest question in hydrology is
Where does water go when it rains?. Here we present a new way to measure how the terrestrial water cycle partitions precipitation into its two ultimate fates:
green waterthat is evaporated or transpired back to the atmosphere and
blue waterthat is discharged to stream channels. Our analysis may help in gauging the vulnerability of both water resources and terrestrial ecosystems to changes in rainfall patterns.
Yu Liu, Zeng Cui, Ze Huang, Hai-Tao Miao, and Gao-Lin Wu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 2481–2490, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2481-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2481-2019, 2019
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We focus on the positive effects of litter crusts on soil water holding capacity and water interception capacity compared with biocrusts. Litter crusts can significantly improve sandy water content and organic matter. Water-holding capacity increased with development of litter crusts in the sandy interface. Water infiltration rate is increased by sandy and litter crusts' interface properties. Litter crusts provided a better microhabitat conducive to plant growth in sandy lands.
Adrià Barbeta, Sam P. Jones, Laura Clavé, Lisa Wingate, Teresa E. Gimeno, Bastien Fréjaville, Steve Wohl, and Jérôme Ogée
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 2129–2146, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2129-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2129-2019, 2019
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Plant water sources of a beech riparian forest were monitored using stable isotopes. Isotopic fractionation during root water uptake is usually neglected but may be more common than previously accepted. Xylem water was always more depleted in δ2H than all sources considered, suggesting isotopic discrimination during water uptake or within plant tissues. Thus, the identification and quantification of tree water sources was affected. Still, oxygen isotopes were a good tracer of plant source water.
William Quinton, Aaron Berg, Michael Braverman, Olivia Carpino, Laura Chasmer, Ryan Connon, James Craig, Élise Devoie, Masaki Hayashi, Kristine Haynes, David Olefeldt, Alain Pietroniro, Fereidoun Rezanezhad, Robert Schincariol, and Oliver Sonnentag
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 2015–2039, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2015-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-2015-2019, 2019
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This paper synthesizes nearly three decades of eco-hydrological field and modelling studies at Scotty Creek, Northwest Territories, Canada, highlighting the key insights into the major water flux and storage processes operating within and between the major land cover types of this wetland-dominated region of discontinuous permafrost. It also examines the rate and pattern of permafrost-thaw-induced land cover change and how such changes will affect the hydrology and water resources of the region.
Wouter H. Maes, Pierre Gentine, Niko E. C. Verhoest, and Diego G. Miralles
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 23, 925–948, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-925-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-925-2019, 2019
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Potential evaporation (Ep) is the amount of water an ecosystem would consume if it were not limited by water availability or other stress factors. In this study, we compared several methods to estimate Ep using a global dataset of 107 FLUXNET sites. A simple radiation-driven method calibrated per biome consistently outperformed more complex approaches and makes a suitable tool to investigate the impact of water use and demand, drought severity and biome productivity.
Juan Fernando Salazar, Juan Camilo Villegas, Angela María Rendón, Estiven Rodríguez, Isabel Hoyos, Daniel Mercado-Bettín, and Germán Poveda
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 1735–1748, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1735-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1735-2018, 2018
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River flow regimes are being altered by global change. Understanding the mechanisms behind such alterations is crucial for hydrological prediction. We introduce a novel interpretation of river flow metrics (scaling) that allows any river basin to be classified as regulated or unregulated, and to identify transitions between these states. We propose the
forest reservoirhypothesis to explain how forest loss can force the Amazonian river basins from regulated to unregulated states.
Félicien Meunier, Valentin Couvreur, Xavier Draye, Mohsen Zarebanadkouki, Jan Vanderborght, and Mathieu Javaux
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 6519–6540, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-6519-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-6519-2017, 2017
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To maintain its yield, a plant needs to transpire water that it acquires from the soil. A deep understanding of the mechanisms that lead to water uptake location and intensity is required to correctly simulate the water transfer in the soil to the atmosphere. This work presents novel and general solutions of the water flow equation in roots with varying hydraulic properties that deeply affect the uptake pattern and the transpiration rate and can be used in ecohydrological models.
Robert L. Andrew, Huade Guan, and Okke Batelaan
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 4469–4478, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4469-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-4469-2017, 2017
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In this study we statistically analyse the relationship between vegetation cover and components of total water storage. Splitting water storage into different components allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the temporal response of vegetation to changes in water storage. Generally, vegetation appears to be more sensitive to interannual changes in water storage than to shorter changes, though this varies in different land use types.
Tingting Ning, Zhi Li, and Wenzhao Liu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1515–1526, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1515-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1515-2017, 2017
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The relationship between controlling parameters of annual catchment water balance and climate seasonality (S) and vegetation coverage (M) was discussed under the Budyko framework and an empirical equation was further developed so that the contributions from M to actual evapotranspiration (ET) could be determined more accurately. The results showed that the effects of landscape condition changes to ET variation will be estimated with a large error if the impacts of S are ignored.
Stanislaus J. Schymanski and Dani Or
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 685–706, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-685-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-685-2017, 2017
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Most of the rain falling on land is returned to the atmosphere by plant leaves, which release water vapour (transpire) through tiny pores. To better understand this process, we used artificial leaves in a special wind tunnel and discovered major problems with an established approach (PM equation) widely used to quantify transpiration and its sensitivity to climate change. We present an improved set of equations, consistent with experiments and displaying more realistic climate sensitivity.
Roger Moussa and Jean-Paul Lhomme
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 4867–4879, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4867-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4867-2016, 2016
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A new physically based formulation is proposed to extend the Budyko framework under non-steady-state conditions, taking into account the change in water storage. The new formulation, which introduces an additional parameter, represents a generic framework applicable to any Budyko function at various time steps. It is compared to other formulations from the literature and the analytical solution of Greve et al. (2016) appears to be a particular case.
Jean-Paul Lhomme and Roger Moussa
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 4857–4865, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4857-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4857-2016, 2016
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The Budyko functions are matched with the complementary evaporation relationship. We show that there is a functional dependence between the Budyko functions and the drying power of the air. Examining the case where potential evaporation is calculated by means of a Priestley–Taylor type equation with a varying coefficient, we show that this coefficient should have a specified value as a function of the Budyko shape parameter and the aridity index.
Wenfei Liu, Xiaohua Wei, Qiang Li, Houbao Fan, Honglang Duan, Jianping Wu, Krysta Giles-Hansen, and Hao Zhang
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 4747–4756, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4747-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-4747-2016, 2016
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In recent decades, limited research has been conducted to examine the role of watershed properties in hydrological responses in large watersheds. Based on pair-wise comparisons, we conclude that reforestation decreased high flows but increased low flows in the watersheds studied. Hydrological recovery through reforestation is largely dependent on watershed properties when forest change and climate are similar and comparable. This finding has important implications for designing reforestation.
Kimberly J. Van Meter, Michael Steiff, Daniel L. McLaughlin, and Nandita B. Basu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 2629–2647, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-2629-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-2629-2016, 2016
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Although village-scale rainwater harvesting (RWH) structures have been used for millennia in India, many of these structures have fallen into disrepair due to increased dependence on groundwater. This dependence has contributed to declines in groundwater resources, and in turn to efforts to revive older RWH systems. In the present study, we use field data to quantify water fluxes in a cascade of irrigation tanks to better our understanding of the impact of RWH systems on the water balance in con
Tobias Schuetz, Chantal Gascuel-Odoux, Patrick Durand, and Markus Weiler
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 20, 843–857, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-843-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-843-2016, 2016
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We quantify the spatio-temporal impact of distinct nitrate sinks and sources on stream network nitrate dynamics in an agricultural headwater. By applying a data-driven modelling approach, we are able to fully distinguish between mixing and dilution processes, and biogeochemical in-stream removal processes along the stream network. In-stream nitrate removal is estimated by applying a novel transfer coefficient based on energy availability.
M. Majerova, B. T. Neilson, N. M. Schmadel, J. M. Wheaton, and C. J. Snow
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3541–3556, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3541-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3541-2015, 2015
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This study quantifies the impacts of beaver on hydrologic and temperature regimes, as well as highlights the importance of understanding the spatial and temporal scales of those impacts.
Reach-scale discharge showed shift from losing to gaining. Temperature increased by 0.38°C (3.8%) and mean residence time by 230%. At the sub-reach scale, discharge gains and losses increased in variability. At the beaver dam scale, we observed increase in thermal heterogeneity with warmer and cooler niches.
J. P. Lhomme, N. Boudhina, M. M. Masmoudi, and A. Chehbouni
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 19, 3287–3299, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3287-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-3287-2015, 2015
J. P. Lhomme, N. Boudhina, and M. M. Masmoudi
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 4341–4348, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4341-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-4341-2014, 2014
V. Couvreur, J. Vanderborght, L. Beff, and M. Javaux
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 1723–1743, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-1723-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-1723-2014, 2014
A. D. Jayakaran, T. M. Williams, H. Ssegane, D. M. Amatya, B. Song, and C. C. Trettin
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 1151–1164, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-1151-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-18-1151-2014, 2014
S. A. Howie and H. J. van Meerveld
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 17, 3421–3435, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-3421-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-17-3421-2013, 2013
X. Cui, S. Liu, and X. Wei
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 4279–4290, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-4279-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-4279-2012, 2012
V. Couvreur, J. Vanderborght, and M. Javaux
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 2957–2971, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-2957-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-2957-2012, 2012
M. E. McClain, L. Chícharo, N. Fohrer, M. Gaviño Novillo, W. Windhorst, and M. Zalewski
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 1685–1696, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-1685-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-1685-2012, 2012
C. Rasmussen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 16, 725–739, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-725-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-16-725-2012, 2012
A. P. O'Grady, J. L. Carter, and J. Bruce
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 3731–3739, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-3731-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-3731-2011, 2011
J. D. Muehlbauer, M. W. Doyle, and E. S. Bernhardt
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 1771–1783, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-1771-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-1771-2011, 2011
K. Edmaier, P. Burlando, and P. Perona
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 15, 1615–1627, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-1615-2011, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-15-1615-2011, 2011
H. Iwasaki, H. Saito, K. Kuwao, T. C. Maximov, and S. Hasegawa
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 14, 301–307, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-301-2010, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-14-301-2010, 2010
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Short summary
Our study explores how ecosystems recover after flash droughts. Using vegetation and soil moisture data, we found that recovery takes about 37.5 d on average (longer in central and southern regions) in China. Factors like post-drought radiation and temperature affect recovery, with extreme temperatures prolonging it. Herbaceous plants recover faster than forests. Our findings aid water resource management and drought monitoring on a large scale, offering insights into ecosystem resilience.
Our study explores how ecosystems recover after flash droughts. Using vegetation and soil...
