Abstract
Rapid urban development results in visible changes in land use due to increase in impervious surfaces from human construction and decrease in pervious areas. Urbanisation influences the hydrological cycle of an area, resulting in less infiltration, higher flood peak, and surface runoff. This study analysed the impact of land use change due to urbanisation on surface runoff, using the geographic information system (GIS)-based soil conservation service curve number (SCS–CN) method, during the period of rapid urban development from 1980 to 2015 in Xiamen, located in south-eastern China. Land use change was analysed from the data obtained by classifying Landsat images from 1980, 1990, 2005, and 2015. Results indicated that farmland decreased the most by 14.01%, while built-up areas increased the most by 15.7%, from 1980 to 2015. Surface runoff was simulated using the GIS-based SCS–CN method for the rainfall return periods of 5, 10, 20, and 50 years. The spatial and temporal variation of runoff was obtained for each land use period. Results indicate that the increase in surface runoff was highest in the period of 1990–2005, with an increase of 10.63%. The effect of urbanisation can be realised from the amount of runoff, contributed by built-up land use type in the study area, that increased from 14.2% to 27.9% with the rise of urban expansion from 1980 to 2015. The relationship between land use and surface runoff showed that the rapid increase in constructed land has significantly influenced the surface runoff of the area. Therefore, the introduction of nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure could be a potential solution for runoff mitigation and reducing urban flood risks in the context of increasing urbanization.
Highlights
This study demonstrated the use of a geographic information system (GIS)-based soil conservation service curve number (SCS–CN) method to assess the effects due to land use change on surface runoff by integrating spatial data and hydrological parameters
With the gradual increase in urban areas from 1980 to 2015, a major fraction of land was converted to areas with poor infiltration and low potential storage, which significantly influenced surface runoff
In order to analyse the effect of land use change due to urbanisation on surface runoff, we used GIS-based SCS–CN model
Summary
Urbanisation is a growing concern in the present world. With over 55% of the world’s population living in urban areas [1], urban expansion has dramatically influenced the change in urban land use. Land use change due to urbanisation results in more impervious surfaces that have considerable impacts on urban hydrology [2]. Urban expansion leads to large impervious surfaces that reduces rainwater infiltration, generating high surface runoff and peak flow, increasing the risks of urban flooding and waterlogging [3]. Urban development is one of the major causes of urban pluvial flooding, aggravated by poor urban drainage systems that become more severe with increasing frequency and
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