Analysis Shows That Climate Change and Land-Use Changes Are Reducing River Flows in Many Parts of China

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-08-31 02:19:42 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-01 01:23:33

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A new study warns that climate change and increasing deforestation are causing severe hydrological changes in tropical regions, including China and India, affecting hundreds of millions of people.

Lead: Analysis of satellite data and climate models reveals that climate change and land-use changes are responsible for a significant reduction in river flows in 70% of the river stations in China, potentially affecting the water availability of billions of people.

The study, focused on China, warns that the findings are, however, applicable to other tropical regions, including India. The study's co-author, Professor Marius Goebel, Director of the Water Research Centre at the University of Bristol, hopes that the findings will highlight the need for urgent action at local, national, and international levels. He says the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect forests, including intact forests and those planted specifically for mitigating climate change.

The study found that changes in land use, such as deforestation and urban expansion, reduced runoff rates throughout the tropics, and during the dry season, which creates significant droughts and affects the water availability of the local population. These changes are causing reductions in flows in many rivers, particularly in China, which may have implications for managed reservoirs.

The researchers advise that the reduction in river flows can lead to water shortages, have a severe impact on ecosystems, and jeopardize the resilience of the region to climate change. These new findings highlight the need for effective land management and water resource planning, given that the impacts of climate change are already being felt.

"The consequences of reduced flows impact different socio-ecological systems and sectors differently. Setting international targets for river flow and hydrological monitoring, as well as targeted mitigation options, should be key priorities," Professor Goebel said.

This new analysis adds urgency to the global movement to protect and restore forests, aiming to mitigate the effects of climate change and safeguard water resources. The researchers advocate for the international community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect forests and allocate resources to restore and protect forests as part of a strategy to mitigate climate change and to improve water security.

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