The spatial and temporal variations evaluation of water conservation in Guizhou Province based on InVEST model

Area of Science:

• Hydrology
• Environmental Science
• Geoscience

Background:

• Guizhou Province, a karst region, faces challenges with abundant rainfall and poor water conservation (WC).
• Understanding long-term WC dynamics is crucial for regional water resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify long-term WC dynamics in Guizhou Province from 1983 to 2022.
• To analyze the spatiotemporal trends and driving mechanisms of WC.
• To provide scientific support for WC strategies in Guizhou.

Main Methods:

• Employed the InVEST water yield model to quantify WC.
• Utilized Mann-Kendall tests and Sen's slope estimator for spatiotemporal trend analysis.
• Investigated the influence of climate and land use drivers on WC.

Main Results:

• Average annual water yield (WY) was 547.62 mm and WC was 364.70 mm.
• WC distribution was high in the east and low in the northwest.
• WC decreased in the west and increased in the east (1983-2022), driven by climate and land use (forest/grassland).

Conclusions:

• High-WC areas require natural protection; low-WC areas need artificial restoration, especially those with decreasing trends.
• Forest land and grassland are key to WC capacity.
• Clarified WC evolution and drivers, informing sustainable water management in Guizhou.