Water Conservation Area Research Articles

Attribution of Vegetation Dynamics in the Yellow River Water Conservation Area Based on the Deep ConvLSTM Model

Climate change and human activities have significantly impacted the long-term growth of vegetation, thereby altering the ecosystem’s response mechanisms. The Yellow River Water Conservation Area (YRWCA) is a critical ecological functional zone in China. Since 1982, the vegetation in the YRWCA has changed significantly, and the primary drivers of vegetation which changed before and after 2000 were identified as climate change and human activities, respectively. However, the extent to which different drivers contribute to the vegetation dynamics of the YRWCA remains uncertain. In this study, we introduced a modified deep Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (ConvLSTM) model to quantify the contributions of climate change and human activities to vegetation change while considering the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. We identified areas with minimal human activity before 2000 using the residual trend method, and used the regional data from these areas to train the model. Subsequently, we applied the trained deep ConvLSTM model to perform an attribution analysis after 2000. The results show that the deep ConvLSTM effectively captures the impacts of climate change on vegetation growth and outperforms the widely used Random Forest model (RF). Despite the fact that the input data of RF were optimized, ConvLSTM still distinctly outperformed RF, achieving R2, MAE, and RMSE values of 0.99, 0.013, and 0.018, respectively, compared to RF’s corresponding values of 0.94, 0.038, and 0.045. Since 2000, the regional normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has shown a broad increasing trend, particularly in dryland, primarily induced by human activities from 2006 to 2015. Furthermore, an analysis of changes in regional land use, particularly in drylands, revealed that the highest magnitude of conversion of farmland back to forest or grass was recorded from 2000 to 2005. However, the most significant contributions from human activities occurred from 2006 to 2015, indicating a time lag in vegetation recovery from these ecological programs. The attribution results provide valuable insights for the implementation of ecological programs, and the introduced deep ConvLSTM proves the suitability of deep learning models that capture spatiotemporal features in vegetation growth simulations, allowing for broader applications.

Influence of Typical Regional Land Use/Landscape Pattern on Water TN of the Upper Yellow River

This study aimed to explore the relationship between land use landscape pattern and water quality in the upstream of the Gansu water conservation, water and soil erosion, and ecological fragile areas. Based on the land use data and water quality monitoring section in 2020 in the 200 m, 500 m, 1 km, 2 km, 50 km, and 10 km riparian buffer area, the single-factor index evaluation method, random forest regression model, and BP neural network were used to quantify the response relationship between land use and landscape pattern of the upper Yellow River in Gansu province and water quality index and to carry out the basin water quality prediction based on land use landscape index data. The results showed that： ① through the single-factor index method, the major indicators of the total nitrogen （TN） in July and September, dissolved oxygen （DO）, permanganate index, ammonia nitrogen （NH4+ -N）, total phosphorus （TP）, and other surface indexes met the surface water environment class Ⅲ water quality standard. ② The random forest regression model was used to analyze the influence of land use and landscape index on TN, and the difference in TN in different typical areas was obtained. The land use types with the highest influence on the TN index in water conservation areas, soil and soil erosion areas, and ecological fragile areas were cultivated land, grassland, and construction land, respectively. ③ The BP neural network was used to predict the water quality index based on different typical areas of land use landscape index. The result of water conservation areas was good, the error rate between the predicted value and the actual value was below 10%, and the prediction accuracy was high. The study showed that water quality prediction based on land use and landscape index/water quality quantitative relationship model had a good water quality prediction effect.

Ecosystem service value and ecological compensation in Qilian Mountain National Park: Implications for ecological conservation strategies

Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) is a critical ecological barrier and water conservation area in northwestern China. Its diverse ecosystems provide significant ecosystem services, yet the valuation of these services and their dynamic responses to land use/cover (LULC) changes and ecological protection measures require detailed investigation. This study employs an improved equivalent factor method, tailored to the specific ecosystem types and LULC patterns of QMNP, to evaluate the ecosystem service value (ESV) across different LULC types. Using an elasticity analysis model, the sensitivity of ESV to LULC changes from 1990 to 2022 was quantitatively assessed. The results indicate that the ESV of QMNP increased from 46.13 billion RMB to 50.97 billion RMB between 1990 and 2022, mostly due to the growth of grassland and forest areas. The primary route for increasing the region’s ESV is the conversion of desert to grassland, and this should be a major area of emphasis for next ecological conservation initiatives. Regulating services form the core of the ESV in QMNP, with climate and hydrological regulation contributing significantly to the overall ESV. Maintaining the stability of forest, wetland, and water body areas is crucial for sustaining the total ESV of QMNP. Through the application of carbon emission coefficients and ESV methods, the average range for long-term ecological compensation standards in QMNP is expected to be between 3.78 billion RMB and 28.28 billion RMB annually. Additionally, we explore the impacts of ongoing ecological protection mechanisms on enhancing ESV. There is a pressing need to formulate integrated policy frameworks that balance ecological conservation with sustainable economic development. The study also highlights the necessity of strengthening the protection and foundational research of grasslands and water bodies to enhance the ESV of QMNP. These insights serve as a foundation for potential planning and management strategies in QMNP, aiming to maintain and enhance its ecosystem functions and services, thereby contributing to broader regional and global ecological stability.

Percentage of Live Coral Cover in The Regional Water Conservation Area of the Sawo – Lahewa Water Tourism Park, North Nias District

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems facing serious threats due to climate change and human activities. This research aims to evaluate the condition of live coral cover in the Sawo-Lahewa Aquatic Tourism Park (TWP) Regional Marine Conservation Area (KKPD), North Nias Regency, as an important step in conservation and sustainable management efforts. Data was collected at 8 research stations using the Underwater Photo Transect (UPT) method. The research results show that the condition of coral reefs in this area is in the damaged to moderate category, with the percentage of live coral cover ranging between 12.33-45.37% and an average of 26.65%. The highest percentage of coral cover was found on Sarangbaung Island (45.37%) in the medium category, followed by Makora Island (42.13%), Gita Island (35.35%), and Lafau Island (31.07%). Meanwhile, locations with the lowest cover in the damaged category include Gosobaohi_01 Island (18.25%), Gosobaohi_02 Island (15.60%), Sifahandro Sea Waters (13.13%), and Bengkuang Bay Waters (12.33%). This research also looks at the abundance of coral juveniles, coral fish, and megabenthos to provide a broad picture of the health of the coral reef ecosystem. The results of this research can become a scientific basis for developing more effective management strategies. Apart from that, it is also a form of supporting conservation efforts, helping restore damaged ecosystems, and increasing the resilience of coral reefs to future environmental threats.Keywords: Coral Reefs, Regional Marine Conservation Area, North Nias

Topographic and Climatic Factors Effect Spatiotemporal Coupling Relationship of Soil Water Conservation Function with Vegetation in Source of the Yellow River

The Gannan Water Conservation area is an indispensable part of the ecological barrier on the Tibetan Plateau and is a key ecological area for the water supply. Exploring the coupled coordination relationship between vegetation and soil contributes to the conservation and planning of the natural environment. In this study, soil water conservation function (SWCF) was investigated with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data in the Gannan Water Conservation Area at the source of the Yellow River, and the spatiotemporal coupling relationship between the SWCF and vegetation was explored. Meanwhile, their responses to topographic and climatic factors were investigated with structural equation models. The main results indicated that the coupling coordination degree (DVS) in the soil depth was in a barely coordinated state, with 0–10 cm > 20–30 cm > 10–20 cm, showing that the area proportion of ‘Basic balanced–Synchronous development of VEG and SWCF’ was the highest, and the spatial aggregation feature was obvious. As the gradient of topographic factors varied, the coupling coordination also varied at various soil depths. Meanwhile, the absolute values of the correlation coefficients of the temperature and precipitation with the coupling coordination were the highest at 20–30 cm compared to the other soil depths, demonstrating that the effect was more significant in deeper soils than in shallower ones. Furthermore, the path coefficients of the topographic factors were larger than those of the climatic factors in the 10–20 cm and 20–30 cm layers, while the opposite was true in the 0–10 cm layer. In general, the vegetation conditions and water conservation function of soil in the source area of the Yellow River are basically developing synchronously, and the topographic factor is the key factor for the geographical difference in the coupling relationship between the two factors.

A study of macroinvertebrate community structure and diversity in response to land use type in the Yiluo River Basin

Land use types have a significant impact on river ecosystems. The Yiluo River is the largest tributary below Xiaolangdi Reservoir in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and is one of the important water conservation areas in the Yellow River Basin. Studying the ecological status of the Yiluo River under varied land use types in this basin is crucial for both ecological protection and the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. This study investigated the impacts of land use types on the macroinvertebrate community and functional structure in the Yiluo River Basin and introduced the concept of the land use health index (LUI). During the survey period, a total of 11,894 macroinvertebrates were collected, and 143 species were identified, belonging to 4 phyla, 7 orders, 22 families, and 75 families. The results showed that LUI had the most significant impact on macroinvertebrate community structure, with substrate type, dry plant weight, total phosphorus, turbidity, and attached algae biomass also playing significant roles in affecting macroinvertebrate communities. The species richness, the Shannon-Wiener index, and the Margalef richness index exhibited a nonlinear positive correlation with LUI of the sampling site, increasing as LUI enhancing and eventually reaching a plateau. Functional richness showed a linear and positive correlation with LUI, increasing with its enhancement, while functional evenness and functional divergence exhibited a nonlinear correlation with LUI. Functional evenness initially increased and then decreased with the enhancement of LUI, while functional divergence decreased with LUI enhancement. This study can provide a scientific reference for river ecological management under various land use scenarios.The Yiluo River is the largest tributary below Xiaolangdi Reservoir in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, and is one of the important water conservation areas in the Yellow River Basin. Studying the ecological status of the Yiluo River under varied land use types in this basin is crucial for both ecological protection and the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. This study investigated the impacts of land use types on the macroinvertebrate community and functional structure in the Yiluo River Basin and introduced the concept of the land use health index (LUI). During the survey period, a total of 11,894 macroinvertebrates were collected, and 143 species were identified, belonging to 4 phyla, 7 orders, 22 families, and 75 families. The results showed that LUI had the most significant impact on macroinvertebrate community structure, with substrate type, dry plant weight, total phosphorus, turbidity, and attached algae biomass also playing significant roles in affecting macroinvertebrate communities. The species richness, the Shannon-Wiener index, and the Margalef richness index exhibited a nonlinear positive correlation with LUI of the sampling site, increasing as LUI enhancing and eventually reaching a plateau. Functional richness showed a linear and positive correlation with LUI, increasing with its enhancement, while functional evenness and functional divergence exhibited a nonlinear correlation with LUI. Functional evenness initially increased and then decreased with the enhancement of LUI, while functional divergence decreased with LUI enhancement. This study can provide a scientific reference for river ecological management under various land use scenarios.

Efektivitas Hukum Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Maluku Utara: Studi Kasus Pulau Rao

The use of prohibited fishing gear continues to pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems. The Regional Water Conservation Area Agency (Balai Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Daerah or KKPD) in North Maluku plays a crucial role in educating the public on responsible fishing practices for the sustainability of the region. However, insufficient socialization and monitoring in the conservation area of Pulau Mare have led to illegal fishing activities that harm the ecosystem. Lack of transparency in information regarding the performance of the KKPD becomes a challenge, leaving the community unaware of the progress in surveillance, rehabilitation, and utilization by the agency. This research analyzes the legal effectiveness of water conservation area management in North Maluku Province, focusing on the Pulau Rao-Tanjung Dehegila Conservation Area. The research employs a juridical-empirical method with primary data obtained through interviews and secondary data from literature studies. Ministerial Decree No. 67/KEPMEN-KP/2020 and Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Regulation No. 31/PERMEN-KP/2020 mandate proper management. However, the implementation of these regulations has yet to be effective. In conclusion, water conservation area management in North Maluku requires increased socialization to raise awareness and garner public support for established programs. Further efforts are needed to ensure the effectiveness of these programs.

Synoptic Analysis of Flood-Causing Rainfall and Flood Characteristics in the Source Area of the Yellow River

The source area of the Yellow River (SAYR) in China is an important water yield and water-conservation area in the Yellow River. Understanding the variability in rainfall and flood over the SAYR region and the related mechanism of flood-causing rainfall is of great importance for the utilization of flood water resources through the optimal operation of cascade reservoirs over the upper Yellow River such as Longyangxia and Liujiaxia, and even for the prevention of flood and drought disasters for the entire Yellow River. Based on the flow data of Tangnaihai hydrological station, the rainfall data of the SAYR region and NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data from 1961 to 2020, three meteorological conceptual models of flood-causing rainfall—namely westerly trough type, low vortex shear type, and subtropical high southwest flow type—are established by using the weather-type method. The mechanism of flood-causing rainfall and the corresponding flood characteristics of each weather type were investigated. The results show that during the process of flood-causing rainfall, in the westerly trough type, the mid- and high-latitude circulation is flat and fluctuating. In the low vortex shear type, the high pressures over the Ural Mountains and the Okhotsk Sea are stronger compared to other types in the same period, and a low vortex shear line is formed in the west of the SAYR region at the low level. The rain is formed during the eastward movement of the shear line. In the subtropical high southwest flow type, the low trough of Lake Balkhash and the subtropical high are stronger compared to other types in the same period. Flood-causing rainfall generally occurs in areas with low-level convergence, high-level negative vorticity, low-level positive vorticity, convergence of water vapor flux, a certain amount of atmospheric precipitable water, and low-level cold advection. In terms of flood peak increment and the maximum accumulated flood volume, the westerly trough type has a long duration and small flood volume, and the low vortex shear type and the subtropical high southwest flow type have a short duration and large flood volume.

Analysis of temporal variation characteristics in water resources in typical ecosystems of the Genhe River Basin

The Genhe River Basin is an ecological barrier and water conservation area in northern China, but its hydrological process has undergone significant changes due to climate change and human activities, endangering ecosystem functions and water resource security. Systematic research on the influencing mechanisms and laws of hydrological processes in different ecosystems in this region remains lacking. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of different anthropogenic factors on the hydrological processes of typical ecosystems in the Genhe River Basin. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool distributed hydrological model was used to simulate the surface runoff, evapotranspiration, and soil water content of the three ecosystems of forest, grassland, and farmland in four different periods of 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010. The spatial and temporal changes in water resources in typical ecosystems under the influence of historical climate change were demonstrated. Results showed that under different land use scenarios, the surface runoff of the farmland ecosystem increased, the evapotranspiration remained unchanged, and the soil water content decreased. The surface runoff of forest and grassland ecosystems did not change significantly, the evapotranspiration increased, and the soil water content decreased. This study reveals the influence of different human factors on the hydrological processes of typical ecosystems in the Genhe River Basin and provides a scientific basis for water resources management and ecological protection in the region.

Importance of ecosystem services and ecological security patterns on Hainan Island, China

The identification and restoration of damaged ecosystems are key to achieving ecological conservation and sustainable. Hainan Island is experiencing a serious crisis of biodiversity and habitat degradation. Therefore, its ecological conservation has become a priority and challenge for China. This study aimed to construct a multi-level ecological security pattern (ESP) based on the synergy of multiple ecosystem service functions and identify important ecological elements and ecological restoration areas. Based on the InVEST model, the circuit theory model, and a series of GIS spatial analysis methods, the importance of ecosystem functions (biodiversity maintenance, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and soil conservation) was evaluated, and ecological sources, ecological corridors, ecological pinch points, and ecological barrier points were identified. The results are as follows: 1) The best habitats in Hainan Island were distributed in the central mountainous area with diverse ecosystems, with an area of 10982.5 km2, accounting for 34.25% of the total suitable habitats. Low-level habitats are mainly distributed on tableland and coastal zones. Human disturbance is the direct cause of landscape patch fragmentation in low-level habitat areas. 2) A total of 65 large ecological sources with a total area of 8238.23 km2 were identified, which were concentrated in the biodiversity and water conservation areas in the central part of the island. 3) Crucial areas in Hainan Island mainly comprised forests and water bodies. Ecological corridors radiated across the entire area in the form of a spider web and connected all important ecological patches, including 138 ecological corridors (73 primary ecological corridors and 65 secondary ecological corridors), 222 ecological pinch points, and 198 ecological barrier points. In addition, the identified areas for restoration are primary areas in urgent need of protection and restoration. In general, the ecological pinch points are natural conservation areas supplemented by anthropogenic restoration, and the ecological barrier points demand equal attention for anthropogenic restoration and nature conservation. The ecosystem protection plan developed in this study will enrich the theoretical achievements of territorial spatial ecological planning in Hainan Island, and provides clear guidance for alleviating the contradiction between land use and economic development in Hainan Island.

Differences of bacterioplankton communities between the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River: microbial structure, co-occurrence pattern, and environmental influencing factors.

The source area of the Yangtze River is located in the hinterland of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is known as the "Earth's third pole." It is the water conservation area and the natural barrier of the ecosystem of the Yangtze River basin. It is also the most sensitive area of the natural ecosystem, and the ecological environment is very fragile. Microorganisms play key roles in the biogeochemical processes of water. In this paper, the bacterioplankton communities in the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River were studied based on 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, and their environmental influencing factors were further analyzed. Results showed that the upstream region had higher richness and diversity than the source region. The predominant bacterial phyla in the source and upstream regions were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota. The bacterial phyla associated with municipal pollution and opportunistic pathogen, such as Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota, were more abundant in the upstream. By contrast, distinct planktonic bacterial genera associated with mining pollution, such as Acidiphilium and Acidithiobacillus, were more abundant in the source region. The co-occurrence network showed that the interaction of bacterioplankton community is more frequent in the upstream. The bacterioplankton community compositions, richness, and functional profiles were affected by the spatial heterogeneity. Moreover, variation partitioning analysis further confirmed that the amount of variation in the source region independently explained by variables of altitude was the largest, followed by water nutrient. This paper revealed the spatial distribution of planktonic bacterial communities in the source and upstream regions of the Yangtze River and its correlation with environmental factors, providing information support for ensuring the health and safety of aquatic ecosystems in the Yangtze River Basin.

The Development Strategy Tourism in Mapur Island Marine Conservation Area Bintan Regency

The coastal area of Mapur village is a conservation area that is a tourist attraction because of its uniqueness and natural beauty. This aims to increase people's income, utilize seagrapes without exploiting them, and make tourism while still paying attention to preserving the aquatic environment sustainably. This research was carried out in February 2022 in the Bintan Waters, Mapur Island, Bintan Regency, Kepulauan Riau Province. The method used in this study is mixed, including qualitative and quantitative methods. In this study, researchers explored data and information on topics or issues related to strategies for tourism development by describing qualitative and quantitative data using SWOT analysis. In selecting informants, the researchers used a purposive sampling technique with 30 respondents: a village leader, a PKK leader, the LPM, a youth organization leader, an Ecology Foundation Team, three fishermen, and 22 tourists. Results show that Mapur Village can be categorized as a water conservation area, which has now been designated as TWP (Tourism Water Park) in Bintan Timur. This village has excellent potential and is very promising as a tourism destination based on its natural resources, such as abundant sea grapes with high economic value ecological conditions. Waters and social support, beautiful beaches, and coral reefs in good condition all support the development of tourism on Mapur Island. The best strategy is to implement an aggressive approach by maximizing existing strengths and opportunities, which can be done with 4 SO strategies: cultivating sea grapes with eco-farming techniques, utilizing sea grapes and beautiful beaches to bring in tourists, and opening business opportunities for rural communities. They are building cooperation between village communities and the government, universities, and LPM and expanding promotions.

Ecological aspects and conservation practices based on local wisdom of lubuk larangan in Jambi

Lubuk larangan is a form of local wisdom in which there is a tradition that has been owned for generations and is still developed and well maintained by the surrounding community in an effort to manage river water conservation areas. This study aims to identify vegetation and local wisdom-based conservation practices carried out at five stations, namely the Laman Panjang Hamlet area (1), Buat Hamlet (2), Lubuk Beringin Hamlet (3), Senamat Ulu Hamlet (4) and Sei telang Hamlet (5). Vegetation analysis uses the quadrant method with pole and tree level vegetation types and analysis of local wisdom-based conservation practices using the descriptive quantitative method, which provides a factual description and explanation of conservation practices and community perceptions including social, environmental, cultural and economic conditions and knowledge of the existence of animals around the lubuk larangan. The results of the study showed that the highest tree-level important value index is banyan (Ficus benjamina) which is 147.86 for pole-level INP, Duku (Lansium domesticum) which is 185.25. In addition, this study states that local wisdom-based conservation practices are conducting deliberations to prepare for the formation of the committee for opening and closing lubuk larangan. The existence of rules and sanctions changes the mindset of the community trying to protect the environment properly such as maintaining and utilizing the lubuk larangan area as a breeding ground for fish. using environmentally friendly harvesting tools such as nets and nets and prohibiting the use of stun and poison. The community believes that the rules for taking fish in the lubuk larangan area will be subject to customary oaths. There are many animals found around the prohibition hole, such as berang berang for river areas near plantation areas and rice fields.

Sustainable governance of drinking water conservation areas based on adaptive thresholds

Drinking water quality is integral to the Sustainable Development Goals framework. At the present, China's drinking water conservation faces a number of challenges that are partially brought on by strict conservation measures that don't fully take into account human-land conflict and sustainable development. Taking the idea of adaptive governance, this study seeks to identify adaptive thresholds and adaptive solutions for compatible drinking water conservation and local development. Pressure and resistance to drinking water quality in its status, future potential, and adaptive thresholds were explored to identify sustainable governance for the Baimei Conservation Area, Fujian Province. Field research, local governance forums, and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model were utilized to explore the drinking water quality pressure and resistance to drinking water quality. In order to uncover potential future changes in pressure and resistance, suitability analyses and multi-scenario simulations were used to examine the status quo, pressure, and resistance scenarios. Adaptive thresholds were then identified through SWAT modeling of each scenario to guarantee the drinking water quality is greater than Class II in the Core Conservation Area and Class Ⅲ in 2nd-grade Conservation Area, respectively. The research finds that construction land development and farming are the key pressures on drinking water quality, and forests and wetlands are the primary resistances. The expansion of construction lands and the increased wetlands was centered on potential future scenarios because farming has no room for growth and forests are already heavily covered. The adaptive threshold of construction land expansion is identified to be 10% without new wetlands but can be 20% by adding 10% wetlands in subbasins, 5, 8, and 9. This study confirms the potential of adaptive sustainability for drinking water conservation areas. A similar analysis procedure can also be adapted to enhance adaptive governance for the sustainability of other conservation areas nationally and globally.

Evaluation of the water conservation function in the Ili River Delta of Central Asia based on the InVEST model

The Ili River Delta (IRD) is an ecological security barrier for the Lake Balkhash and an important water conservation area in Central Asia. In this study, we selected the IRD as a typical research area, and simulated the water yield and water conservation from 1975 to 2020 using the water yield module of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model. We further analyzed the temporal and spatial variations in the water yield and water conservation in the IRD from 1975 to 2020, and investigated the main driving factors (precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, land use/land cover change, and inflow from the Ili River) of the water conservation variation based on the linear regression, piecewise linear regression, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analyses. The results indicated that from 1975 to 2020, the water yield and water conservation in the IRD showed a decreasing trend, and the spatial distribution pattern was “high in the east and low in the west”; overall, the water conservation of all land use types decreased slightly. The water conservation volume of grassland was the most reduced, although the area of grassland increased owing to the increased inflow from the Ili River. At the same time, the increased inflow has led to the expansion of wetland areas, the improvement of vegetation growth, and the increase of regional evapotranspiration, thus resulting in an overall reduction in the water conservation. The water conservation depth and precipitation had similar spatial distribution patterns; the change in climate factors was the main reason for the decline in the water conservation function in the delta. The reservoir in the upper reaches of the IRD regulated runoff into the Lake Balkhash, promoted vegetation restoration, and had a positive effect on the water conservation; however, this positive effect cannot offset the negative effect of enhanced evapotranspiration. These results provide a reference for the rational allocation of water resources and ecosystem protection in the IRD.

Characteristics and Attribution of Spatiotemporal Changes in Qilian Mountains' Runoff Over the Past Six Decades

AbstractTibet's Qilian Mountains (QM) include critical water conservation areas and important ecological barriers, which help maintain downstream inland river oasis stability. For decades, contemporaneous climatic and cryospheric variation has severely impacted QM's hydrological processes, challenging local water resource management and sustainable development. However, due to prevalent data and methodological limitations, QM research has primarily focused on runoff change at a basin scale. Spatial distributions and temporal changes in runoff subsequently remain unclear. Based on multi‐source data and the literature, we estimated that QM's mountain outlets generate approximately 15.671 km3 in total annual runoff, exhibiting a spatially decreasing pattern from northeast to southwest. Moreover, runoff distribution and trend variation at seasonal and annual scales depend upon the river replenishment source type. Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, eastern rain‐fed rivers experienced a downward trend while those dominated by meltwater or simultaneously fed by multiple sources in its central and western regions experienced an upward trend. As an integrated product of mixed multi‐factor effects, runoff is regulated by temperature, precipitation, and cryospheric meltwater. Moreover, the main controlling runoff factors varied seasonally under different water source concentrations. Annually, precipitation was the main driver for runoff change in the eastern region while, correspondingly, temperature was in the western region where glaciers and the snow line boundary predominant. Besides, this study highlighted that the existing literature has significant limitations in understanding interactions among different cryospheric components and hydrologic process mechanisms when exploring the reasons for runoff variations, which needs further exploration in the future.

KONDISI STOK IKAN KARANG DI KAWASAN KONSERVASI PERAIRAN TWP GITA NADA, PROVINSI NUSA TENGGARA BARAT

TWP Gita Nada is one of the water conservation areas in NTB Province whose reef fish resources are used by fishers around the area, especially in zones that are permitted for fishing activities. However, there are indications that the use of the area by fishers causes a decrease in the abundance and biomass of reef fish in TWP Gita Nada. Therefore, it is necessary to research the condition of reef fish stocks in TWP Gita Nada to know for certain about the availability of reef fish resources in the area. This study collected data at 11 fish landing sites around TWP Gita Nada from March 2017 to December 2021. Data were collected using a sampling technique on 35% of the total fish landing activity in TWP Gita Nada. Data consisted of fishing units, fishing operations, fishing areas, catches, fish species, and fish length. Data analysis in this study used a length-based stock assessment approach to identify the condition of reef fish stocks and their utilization status. The results indicated that 271 species of reef fish landed in the TWP Gita Nada waters conservation area were identified from 31 family groups dominated by fish of the species Lutjanus gibbus, Lethrinus ornatus, Acanthurus mata, Naso thynnoides, and Lethrinus rubrioperculatus. Among those four dominant reef fish species, Lutjanus gibbus is in fully exploited utilization status with an SPR value of 0.26 or 26%. Meanwhile, the other three types of reef fish are under-exploited with SPR values above 0.3 or 30%.
 
 Keywords: fishing, Lc, length-based approach, Lm, SPR.

Spatial distribution, ecological risk and origin of soil heavy metals in Laoguanhe watershed of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project

The central section of China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project has been designated as a national water conservation area, and the soil ecological security in its associated watersheds is of great importance. A total of 204 soil samples (0–20 cm depth) were obtained from the Laoguanhe River Basin. The concentrations of seven elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and Hg) were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry following a near-total acid dissolution. Data analyses (including potential ecological risk, principal component analysis, geostatistical analysis and the positive matrix factorization model) were applied to evaluate the contamination of soil heavy metals and to identify their sources. The research results demonstrated that the mean contents of these seven elements exceeded background values for Henan Province, China, indicating human disturbance. Ecological risk evaluation revealed that Cd was the most frequently detected and the heavy metal causing the most pollution. Principal component analysis indicated that Cr, Ni and Cu stem from natural sources, while Zn and Cd are predominantly influenced by agricultural activities. Additionally, industrial activities and atmospheric deposition were responsible for the excess presence of Pb and Hg. The study suggests taking measures to control Cd sources in agricultural areas, reducing input of heavy metals into the river and providing scientific support for managing water quality.

Millennial Generation Perception of Waisai District about Water Conservation Area the Raja Ampat Region

The Raja Ampat Water Conservation Area aims to protect and preserve biodiversity in the region, which is part of the Sea of the Head of the Birds of Papua. The Waisai District, the capital of Raja Ampat Regency, has the highest population of all the districts in Raja Ampat, with a population of 23,36 thousand people in 2023. The millennial generation has the highest percentage of 46% in the demographics of Raja Ampat District, making them an active audience segment in the country. The research method used in this study involved disseminating questionnaires using simple random sampling (SRS) to collect data from the millennial generation in Waisai City, India. The sample size was 10,057 people aged 20–44 in 2021. The study used the Slovin formula with a 90% confidence level. The total sample was 100 responden. The data was analyzed using Likert scale measurements, with each answer given a score. The assessment of respondents' interpretation of the conservation area perception was assessed using the index percentage formula. The conclusion of the discussion is that the Millennial Generation's perception of Raja Ampat Water Conservation Area is 58.47%, which falls within the criteria of “fair” or not fully understood. The results of the study showed that respondents' knowledge of conservation areas, both legislative, regulatory, territorial administrative boundaries, and zooning programs, was at a score below 60. Information on social media had a real impact on knowledge related to the status of the conservation area of Papua. The greatest perception score was about the four zonings on King Ampat's conservation status because many respondents were aware of it from various campaigns and socialization from various viewpoints.

RESTORASI LANSKAP SITU PENGARENGAN DEPOK UNTUK MENDUKUNG EKOSISTEM PERAIRAN BERKELANJUTAN

Situ (Shallow lake) Pengarengan with an area of 7 Ha serves as a water catchment area, flood control and conservation area. This study aims to analyze the damage that occurred in Situ Pengarengan and provide alternative solutions through landscape restoration technology. The main pollutants that enter the waters of Situ Pengarengan come from households, wastewater and garbage carried by the Kali Hati stream. Not all areas of Situ Pengarengan have adequate boundaries. Only 30% of the area has borders. Only 38% of the area has green open space. There are 17 types of plants on the banks of Situ Pengarengan. Situ landscape restoration technology is needed as an effort to improve ecosystem balance, restore ecological functions and increase the natural purification ability of situ water. One of the landscape restoration technologies by arranging landscapes uses plants that are able to hold runoff water to prevent erosion and as a natural filter for pollutants. Efforts to control damage and prevent pollution are carried out through the implementation of green open space according to the provisions, the implementation of communal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP), the installation of garbage retention nets and periodic cleaning and dredging of situ. Landscape restoration is carried out for damage control through the preservation of catchment areas and reforestation of the boundaries.