Articles | Volume 30, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-1607-2026
© Author(s) 2026. 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-30-1607-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
27 Mar 2026
Research article |
| 27 Mar 2026
| 27 Mar 2026
Baseflow in karst regions is significantly higher than the global average and exhibits spatial variability
Ze Yuan
School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, 550001 Guiyang, China
Karst Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Guizhou Normal University & Guanling Autonomous County, 561300 Guanling, China
Qiuwen Zhou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, 550001 Guiyang, China
Karst Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Guizhou Normal University & Guanling Autonomous County, 561300 Guanling, China
Yuan Li
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, 550001 Guiyang, China
Karst Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Guizhou Normal University & Guanling Autonomous County, 561300 Guanling, China
Yuluan Zhao
School of Geography and Environmental Science, Guizhou Normal University, 550001 Guiyang, China
Karst Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station of Guizhou Normal University & Guanling Autonomous County, 561300 Guanling, China
Shengtian Yang
Institute of Ecological Civilization, Guizhou Normal University, 550001 Guiyang, China
College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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Short summary
Short summary
In rocky landscapes with thin soils, plants have developed clever strategies for finding water. We found that rock fissures not only regulate the root zone recharge state of plants with different root depths, but their stored water is also an important source of water for plant transpiration. This reveals an important and often overlooked water source for maintaining vegetation in rocky environments, providing new insights for ecological restoration studies.
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Short summary
This study explores how underground water supports river flow in landscapes with soluble rock and caves. We examined 1375 river basins worldwide and found that, on average, 78 % of river flow in these areas comes from stored groundwater, compared with 60 % globally. We also found strong regional differences linked to vegetation and environmental conditions, and this share has increased in recent decades. These results can support better water management.
This study explores how underground water supports river flow in landscapes with soluble rock...
