Abstract
Ditch networks play crucial roles in regulating water fluxes with their surroundings. The connectivity of ditches can have great impacts on nutrient migration and transformations. However, connectivity patterns related to ditch networks have rarely been studied, especially the relationships with water quality assessed through spatial analysis. This paper considered ditch connectivity and water quality indicators comprehensively, using spatial autocorrelation and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, to analyze the impact of ditch connectivity on water quality from urban to rural gradients. The results suggested that water quality in rural areas and towns was better than in suburbs and transition zones, and the different areas exhibited variable spatial ditch connectivity. The Moran’s I index of the connectivity indicators showed the clustering state of spatial distribution, with ditch connectivity explaining 61.06% of changes in water quality. The circularity and network connectivity of the ditches had the most influence on water quality. However, the degree of influence varied with region. Circularity had the greatest impact on water quality in urban areas, and network connectivity had the greatest impact on water quality in township areas. Therefore, future water improvement projects, based on ditch optimization and management, need to consider the more related influencing factors and their spatial differences.
Highlights
Agriculture developed thousands of years ago in plains areas of China, while the ditch area in the agricultural landscape accounts for about 10% of the acreage
Low-value of Id were mainly distributed in urban areas, suburb, and transition zone while high-value of Id was mainly located in rural areas
The value of γ increased from urban area to rural area in Figure 3c and the main reason was that the number of ditches in urban areas was smaller than in rural areas
Summary
Agriculture developed thousands of years ago in plains areas of China, while the ditch area in the agricultural landscape accounts for about 10% of the acreage. As a basic part of the agricultural infrastructure, ditches play an important role to retain high agricultural water outputs through timely flood drainage and drought relief. In the precipitation-runoff process, water flows gradually converge to the target water body through the ditches. During the water demand period of agriculture, the water resources in the ditches, which were derived from precipitation and surface runoff, can be used as the irrigation water source and returned to the farmland. Ditches maintain the health of the rural water environment and the balance of the ecosystem through regulation of water supply [1]. Research focused on water adjustment of the ditches in the plains irrigation area [2] and water environment purification functions of ditches [3,4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
