Characterization of the evolution of runoff‐sediment relationship in Min River based on coupling coordination theory

Abstract

AbstractGlobal climate change and human activities have profoundly affected the hydrological processes in the basin. The study of the characteristics of runoff and sediment variations in the basin and their driving factors is of great significance in promoting the efficient use of water resources and high‐quality development in the basin. The determination of the abrupt change point of the runoff‐sediment relationship is the key to delineate the base period, and is important to assess the contribution of climate change and human activities to the change of the runoff‐sediment relationship. Therefore, this study constructs a binary coupled coordination model of runoff and sediment load to describe the coupled runoff‐sediment coordination relationship, and uses the Pettitt method and the double cumulative curve method to test for mutations. The effects of climate change and human activities on changes in runoff and sediment load were assessed using the Budyko framework‐based elasticity factor method and the cumulative slope rate of change method. The results show that the annual runoff and annual sediment load in the Min River basin show a decreasing trend between 1970 and 2019, with monthly sediment load changing more significantly than monthly runoff. Annual runoff and annual sediment load were significantly coherent throughout the study period, and there were significant resonant cycles of positive phase on 2‐, 3‐, 5‐ and 6‐year time scales. The coupling coordination degree of runoff and sediment load is generally at a coordinated developmental stage and is moving from low to high levels of coordination. Relative to the base period, changes in runoff and sediment load during the change period are mainly attributed to human activities. The contribution of human activities to the change in runoff ranged from 78.92% to 66.71%, and the contribution to the change in sediment load reached 93.40% to 94.15%. In contrast, precipitation in climate change has a greater impact on changes in runoff and sediment load than potential evapotranspiration. Land use changes and reservoir construction in the Min River basin have both contributed positively to the reduction of runoff and sediment load. The results of the study will help us to gain a deeper understanding of the processes and driving mechanisms of the runoff‐sediment relationship in the Min River basin, and provide a scientific basis for water resources management and sustainable development in the basin.