Nenjiang River Basin Research Articles

Multitemporal analysis of forest fragmentation in the upstream region of the Nenjiang River Basin, Northeast China

The present study investigated the forest transition and fragmentation process using historical topographic maps and multi-temporal satellite images in the upstream region of Nenjiang River Basin, Northeast China from 1954 to 2010. Area-weighted centroid method, associated with the area-weighted mean patch fractal dimension (AWMPFD) and core area percentage of landscape (CPL), were used to estimate the spatial movement of forest as well as its spatial fragmentation process. The forest was further classified into high dense forest, low dense forest, and shrub forest to analyze the forest transition process, among these forest types or between forests and other landscape types. An obvious deforestation was observed during 1954–2000, with two different fragmentation processes in two periods: the first fragmentation process from 1954 to 1976 was mainly observed along the ecotone between forest and other landscape classes while the second fragmentation process from 1976 to 2000 was observed both in the ectone and interior area of forest patches. The afforestation process was observed during 2000–2010 due to the issue of a series of policies by the national and local government. GIS-based landscape index, coupled with socio-economic and political driving forces analysis, proved its unique value and effective in assessing landscape pattern and dynamics.

Mountain effect and differences in storm floods between northern and southern sources of the Songhua River Basin

In this study, the differences in annual rainstorm changes in the Second Songhua River Basin and the Nenjiang River basin and their causes were compared from the perspective of mountain effects. The following results were drawn: (1) Altitude effect is the primary factor leading to increased rainstorms in the southern source; (2) Slope effect primarily leads to differences of the weather systems in the two sources, and thus cause the difference of the rainstorms; (3) Slope effect is responsible for the greater fluctuation in the observed floods in the southern source. These landform differences eventually lead to the differences in the characteristics of floods in the southern and northern sources. Commensurability method was used to identify the period of rainstorms in the southern and northern sources. The results showed that although rainstorms do not appear at the same time in the two sources they are characteristic of a 10 years’ period in both areas. These results can serve as hydrological references for flood control and long-term flood disaster predictions.

Recognition method for mid‐ to long‐term runoff forecasting factors based on global sensitivity analysis in the Nenjiang River Basin

AbstractMid‐ to long‐term runoff forecasting is important to China. Forecasting based on physical causes has become the trend of this field, and recognition of key factors is central to recent development. Here, global sensitivity analysis based on back‐propagation arithmetic was used to calculate the sensitivity of up to 24 factors that affect runoff in the Nenjiang River Basin. The following five indices were found to be key factors for mid‐ to long‐term runoff forecasting during flood season: Tibetan Plateau B, index of the strength of the East Asian trough, index of the area of the northern hemisphere polar vortex, zonal circulation index over the Eurasian continent and index of the strength of the subtropical high over the western Pacific. The hydrological climate of the study area and the rainfall–runoff laws were then analysed in conjunction with its geographical position and topographic condition. The rationality of the results can be demonstrated from the positive analysis point of view. The results of this study provide a general method for selection of mid‐ to long‐term runoff forecasting factors based on physical causes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hydrological Responses to Climate Change in Nenjiang River Basin, Northeastern China

Under the background of global climate change, hydrological responses to climate change were investigated in Northeastern China. This study analyses the trends of annual and seasonal temperature, precipitation and streamflow series in Nenjiang River Basin. Correlations between streamflow and meteorological variables were investigated, while parametric method and nonparametric tests were applied to determine the trends and correlations. Data collected from a series of monitoring stations showed significant increasing trends of annual and seasonal mean temperature versus time, whereas during the whole period the annual and seasonal precipitation in the basin did not exhibit similar trends although temporal and spatial variations were detected. Affected by the precipitation and temperature changes, significant trends of decreasing annual, spring and autumn streamflow were demonstrated; the decrease concentrating mainly on the mainstream and tributaries of the left bank. Correlation analyses revealed strong relationships between the streamflow and meteorological variables in Nenjiang River Basin, and the impacts of climate change on streamflow were complicated. Results from this study will help water resource managers for decision makings that address the consequences of climate change.

Land use and landscape pattern changes in Nenjiang River basin during 1988–2002

Based on the Landsat TM data in 1988 and 2002, the GIS technique and Fragstats software were used to calculate the land use conversion matrix and eight landscape metrics at landscape and patch class levels in upstream, midstream, and downstream regions of Nenjiang River basin. The characteristics of land use and landscape pattern changes in each region during 1988–2002 were analyzed. The results show the followings: 1) During the period from 1988 to 2002, farmland and construction land area increased, while the areas of forestland, grassland, and unutilized land decreased in all three regions. The conversion trends from forestland and grassland to farmland were obvious. The conversion from forestland to farmland mainly occurred in the upstream region, whereas the conversion from grassland to farmland primarily occurred in the midstream and downstream regions. 2) The water area in the upstream and midstream regions enlarged, mainly due to the increase of water impounded area as a result of the construction of reservoirs. Comparatively, the water area in the downstream region decreased, and it mainly occurred in the east part of downstream region with concentrated lakes and swamps. 3) The degree of landscape fragmentation increased in each region. The controlling ability of forestland was weakened, and its patch shape became more complicated. In contrast, the controlling ability of farmland was reinforced, and the connectivity among patches increased. 4) The landscape pattern shows some gradient features. From the upstream to downstream regions, the disturbance of human activities on dominant patches was intensified, and consequently, the landscape fragmentation extent and heterogeneity were enhanced.

The flood of the Nenjiang river and the Songhua river in 1998 and the comprehensive management of the river basins

In the summer of 1998, an exceptionally serious flood, with the characteristics of high water level, large volume of flow, long duration and serious losses caused by the disaster, occurred in the Nenjiang River basin and the Songhua River basin. Greater flood peak occurred three times in the trunk stream of the Nenjiang River for the floods occurred in its tributaries one after another. At Jiangqiao Hydrometric Station, the water level was 141.90 m and the rate of flow was 12 000 m3/s. The flood is ranged to a catastrophic one, which occurs once in 50 years. Ranged to a catastrophic flood at Qiqihar Hydrometric Station that occurs once in 400 years, its water level, 0.89 m higher than the former alltime highest, was 149.30 m and the corresponding rate of flow was 14 800 m3/s. The water level that exceeded the all-time highest lasted for 7 days. At Harbin Hydrometric Station, the water level, 0.59 m higher than the former all-time highest, was 120.89 m and the corresponding rate of flow was 17 400 m3/s. The water level that exceeded the all-time highest lasted for 9 to 10 days. The flood here is ranged to a catastrophic one, which occurs once in 150 years. The flood of the Nenjiang River damaged 456 × 104 ha of crops and 115 × 104 rooms and the direct loss of economy exceeded 40 billion yuan(RMB). The main reasons of the flood are great rainfall, long flood season, unreasonable land use, regional ecological environment degradation and lack of water control projects. It is obvious that the following measures are greatly needed: the comprehensive management of the river basins; the formulation of development planning of the river basins, especially the water control projects; the development of agriculture based on ecological security.