Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin

Water ecosystem services in the upper Yangtze River basin (UYRB) provide essential ecological and economic benefits. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal changes in water yield (WY) from 2000 to 2020 and analyzed interactions between human activities and climate factors using the InVEST-AWY and S...

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Main Authors: Hongxiang Wang, Jiaqi Lan, Lintong Huang, Xuyang Jiao, Kaiang Zhao, Wenxian Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Ecological Indicators
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X2500202X
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author Hongxiang Wang
Jiaqi Lan
Lintong Huang
Xuyang Jiao
Kaiang Zhao
Wenxian Guo
author_facet Hongxiang Wang
Jiaqi Lan
Lintong Huang
Xuyang Jiao
Kaiang Zhao
Wenxian Guo
author_sort Hongxiang Wang
collection DOAJ
description Water ecosystem services in the upper Yangtze River basin (UYRB) provide essential ecological and economic benefits. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal changes in water yield (WY) from 2000 to 2020 and analyzed interactions between human activities and climate factors using the InVEST-AWY and SWAT models. The raster- and sub-basin-scale simulations captured spatial heterogeneity and validated the model outputs. Future WY distribution for 2030 was projected under two socioeconomic scenarios—urban development (UD) and ecological protection (EP)—by integrating CMIP6 climate data with the PLUS model to assess the combined effects of land use and climate change. The results show a steady increase in WY between 2000 and 2020, with low WY regions shifting westward. Climate factors, particularly precipitation, emerged as the primary drivers of WY, with their influence enhanced by interactions with socioeconomic factors over time. The impact of human activities on WY weakened after 2010, reflecting the positive outcomes of ecological protection policies. However, peak WY values in 2020 indicate a lag in the effects of these strategies on water supply. The 2030 projections revealed that the UD scenario would generate higher WY but with more uneven spatial distribution, while the EP scenario would enhance water retention and yield a more balanced distribution. Future management should balance ecological conservation with development, considering regional variability and accounting for the lag effects of land use changes. Implementing dynamic feedback mechanisms will help manage uncertainties and ensure sustainable water resource management in UYRB.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-bb246ce9603d4c21980155f726e310622025-08-20T03:42:44ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-03-0117211327310.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113273Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basinHongxiang Wang0Jiaqi Lan1Lintong Huang2Xuyang Jiao3Kaiang Zhao4Wenxian Guo5North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaCorresponding authors.; North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaNorth China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaNorth China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaNorth China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaCorresponding authors.; North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, ChinaWater ecosystem services in the upper Yangtze River basin (UYRB) provide essential ecological and economic benefits. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal changes in water yield (WY) from 2000 to 2020 and analyzed interactions between human activities and climate factors using the InVEST-AWY and SWAT models. The raster- and sub-basin-scale simulations captured spatial heterogeneity and validated the model outputs. Future WY distribution for 2030 was projected under two socioeconomic scenarios—urban development (UD) and ecological protection (EP)—by integrating CMIP6 climate data with the PLUS model to assess the combined effects of land use and climate change. The results show a steady increase in WY between 2000 and 2020, with low WY regions shifting westward. Climate factors, particularly precipitation, emerged as the primary drivers of WY, with their influence enhanced by interactions with socioeconomic factors over time. The impact of human activities on WY weakened after 2010, reflecting the positive outcomes of ecological protection policies. However, peak WY values in 2020 indicate a lag in the effects of these strategies on water supply. The 2030 projections revealed that the UD scenario would generate higher WY but with more uneven spatial distribution, while the EP scenario would enhance water retention and yield a more balanced distribution. Future management should balance ecological conservation with development, considering regional variability and accounting for the lag effects of land use changes. Implementing dynamic feedback mechanisms will help manage uncertainties and ensure sustainable water resource management in UYRB.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X2500202XEcosystem servicesWater YieldHydrological modelingClimate changeLand use scenariosInVEST model
spellingShingle Hongxiang Wang
Jiaqi Lan
Lintong Huang
Xuyang Jiao
Kaiang Zhao
Wenxian Guo
Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
Ecological Indicators
Ecosystem services
Water Yield
Hydrological modeling
Climate change
Land use scenarios
InVEST model
title Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
title_full Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
title_fullStr Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
title_full_unstemmed Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
title_short Longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper Yangtze River basin
title_sort longitudinal path analysis of ecosystem water yield effects and its driving forces in the upper yangtze river basin
topic Ecosystem services
Water Yield
Hydrological modeling
Climate change
Land use scenarios
InVEST model
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X2500202X
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