Hydrological Effects of Vegetation Cover Degradation and Environmental Implications in a Semiarid Temperate Steppe, China

摘要: Studying the impact of vegetation dynamics on hydrological processes is essential for environmental management to reduce ecological environment risk and develop sustainable water strategies under global warming. This case study simulated responses streamflow cover degradation climate variations in Xilin River Basin a semi-arid steppe northern China. The snowmelt river ice melting Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) were improved estimate changes multiple scenarios. Results showed that SWAT simulations matched well measured monthly both calibration (determination coefficient R2 = 0.75 Nash–Sutcliffe ENS 0.67) validation periods (R2 0.74 0.68). Simulations change revealed obvious occurred through conversion between high low covers. reductions can elevate rainfall season, but effects are most pronounced during seasons (i.e., growing seasons) drier years. These findings highlight importance modifying partitioning basin. We conclude particular zone, one important contributing factors variations. Increases water-limited regions will likely effective content soil, which turn leads further vegetation. Therefore, methods improving resources water-constrained regions.