Precipitation and hydrological variations and related associations with large‐scale circulation in the Poyang Lake basin,China |
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| Authors: | Qiang Zhang Ying Liu Guishan Yang Zengxi Zhang |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Water Resources and Environment, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China;2. Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Water Security in Southern China of Guangdong High Education Institute, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China;3. College of Geography and Environment, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China;4. Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China;5. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Forestry Ecological Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China |
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| Abstract: | Long streamflow series and precipitation data are analysed in this study with aim to investigate changing properties of precipitation and associated impacts on hydrological processes of the Poyang Lake basin. Underlying causes behind the precipitation variations are also explored based on the analysis of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) reanalysis data. Besides, water intrusion from the Yangtze River to the Poyang Lake basin is studied. The results indicate that (1) seasonal transitions of precipitation are observed, showing increasing precipitation in winter, slight increase and even decrease of precipitation in summer; (2) analysis of water vapour circulation indicates decreasing/increasing water vapour flux in summer/winter; in winter, water vapour flux tends to be from the Pacific. Altered water vapour flux is the major cause behind the altered precipitation changes across the Poyang Lake basin and (3) occurrence of water intrusion from the Yangtze River to the Poyang Lake basin is heavily influenced by hydrological processes of the Poyang Lake basin. Effects of the hydrological processes from the middle Yangtze River on the occurrence of water intrusion events are not significant. The results of this study indicate that floods and droughts should share the same concerns from the scholars and policy makers. Besides, the altered hydrological circulation and associated seasonal transition of precipitation drive us to face new challenges in terms of conservations of wetlands and ecological environment under the changing climate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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| Keywords: | precipitation changes hydrological processes abrupt behaviours water vapour circulation Poyang Lake basin |
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