Rapid Urbanization Increased the Risk of Agricultural Waterlogging in the Huaibei Plain, China

Abstract

The drainage modulus is an important indicator in the drainage system design of farmlands. Changes in the drainage modulus determine the effectiveness of drainage projects, and thus agricultural production. Thus, in this research, the trends in the drainage modulus of the Huaibei Plain, China were examined. The drainage modulus was estimated using the average draining method at 16 meteorological stations located in different areas of the Huaibei Plain during the period of 1960–2017. The trends of the drainage modulus were investigated using the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator. The periodicities of the drainage modulus were investigated using wavelet analysis. The major environmental factors affecting the drainage modulus were investigated using the contribution rate method. The results showed that the mean drainage modulus (q1, q3) had increasing trends and significant 2.4-year and 2.5-year periodicities, respectively. An increase in building lots was the main factor that influenced the variability in the drainage modulus. Rapid urbanization increased the risk of agricultural waterlogging. These results provide important references for scientific planning in agriculture and farmland drainage engineering.