Yellow River Basin Management under Pressure: Present State, Restoration and Protection II: Lessons from a Special Issue

2. Overview of This Special Issue

This Special Issue includes twenty original contributions focused on Yellow River basin management under pressure. Considering the unique regional characteristics of the Yellow River in China, the contributions mainly result from research conducted by Chinese universities and research and development institutions. The twenty articles in this Special Issue can be divided into six categories: category A, “Characteristics of Yellow River basin”; category B, “Water system and economic society system”; category C, “Water resources allocation and efficient utilization”, category D, “Basin ecological protection and environmental pollution remediation”; category E, “Water–sediment relationship of the Yellow River Basin”; category F, “Yellow River governance”.

In category A, “Characteristics of Yellow River basin”, Zuoqiang Han et al. (contribution 1) studied the influence of climate change on natural runoff of the Yellow River Basin between 1961 and 2020, indicating that the decrease in natural runoff was primarily attributed to a reduction in precipitation rather than regional warming. The study by Sen Wang et al. (contribution 2) developed a hybrid GPR and cooperation search algorithm (CSA) model, aiming to improve the effectiveness of predicting non-stationary hydrological data sequences. Xiaomei Fan et al. (contribution 3) monitored and analyzed the spatio-temporal dynamics of groundwater level and salinity based on the robust seasonal trend decomposition technique (STL). Based on the comprehensive evaluation model, Xinze Han et al. (contribution 4) assessed the impact of climate change on the headwaters of the Yellow River, further analyzing the effects of permafrost degradation and the interaction between climate and permafrost regarding runoff changes. Haipeng Niu et al. (contribution 5) quantitatively investigated the landscape pattern evolution characteristics of the Yellow River Basin (Henan section), further revealing the influencing factors of landscape pattern evolution.

In category B, “Water system and economic society system”, Jianhua Liu et al. (contribution 6) investigated the effect of the industrial restructuring factor on carbon dioxide emissions and conducted a scenario simulation of the Yellow River Basin using the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) model. In the study by Suming Ren et al. (contribution 7), the effect of natural and social economic factors on landscape pattern indices in Henan province was investigated through the bivariate local spatial autocorrelation method. Zening Wu et al. (contribution 8) evaluated the regional water ecological–economic system’s sustainability by quantifying the water energy’s ecological footprint, preliminarily analyzing the key factors that constrain the sustainable development of the Yellow River Basin.

For category C, “Water resources allocation and efficient utilization”, Qiting Zuo et al. (contribution 9) proposed solutions to the Yellow River water distribution dilemma from the perspective of the human–water relationship discipline, further analyzing the potential of applying the human–water relationship to research on complex basin problems. In the study by Meng Qiu et al. (contribution 10), the “synthesis–dynamic–harmonious” water distribution method (SDH) was proposed and applied to analyze the real condition of the Yellow River. Using the SDH method, the authors recalculated the new water distribution scheme for the Yellow River. Jinxin Zhang et al. (contribution 11) introduced the theory of human–water harmony to guide the allocation of regional water resources. Weinan Lu et al. (contribution 12) studied the spatial–temporal dynamics and influencing factors of green efficiency of agricultural water use in the Yellow River Basin, aiming to improve the green efficiency of agricultural water use (AWGE). The study by Cui Chang et al. (contribution 13) preliminarily established the thresholds for agricultural water-saving measures in the Helan Irrigation Area of Ningxia, taking the constraints of groundwater depth into account.

In category D, “Basin Ecological Protection and Environmental pollution remediation”, the study by Yi Cheng et al. (contribution 14) analyzed the spatiotemporal variations in vegetation cover in the Yellow River Basin from 1982 to 2021 and their primary influencing factors. The vegetation cover was jointly affected by climate change and human activities, where human activities commonly have a more significant impact on vegetation cover. Ying Liu et al. (contribution 15) initially established a watershed ecological compensation mechanism based on evolutionary game theory and random processes, laying a theoretical foundation for the systematic establishment of ecological compensation mechanisms in the Yellow River Basin. In the study by Huaibin Wei et al. (contribution 16), potential ecological risks and sources of heavy metal pollutants were found in river sediments of a certain city in the water diversion area of the Yellow River, indicating that the highest potential ecological risk level is associated with mercury (Hg). Xiaoming Mao et al. (contribution 17) analyzed and discussed the types of chemicals and sources of groundwater in a landfill site and its surrounding area in a downstream city of the Yellow River, further evaluating the risks of groundwater contamination to human health.

In category E, “Water–sediment relationship of the Yellow River Basin”, Suiji Wang et al. (contribution 18) analyzed the changes in the water–sediment process of the Yellow River. As time progresses, variations in annual runoff and sediment content exhibit disparities, primarily stemming from activities such as afforestation, terrace construction, check dam construction, and the adoption of new river management measures.

For category F, “Yellow River Governance”, Li Gong et al. (contribution 19) numerically analyzed the collision process between an ice body and a tunnel, aiming to reduce the risk of water transmission tunnels being damaged by drift ice. The study by Jianyong Hu et al. (contribution 20) investigated the effect of multi-cross structures on the flood discharge capacity of mountain rivers of the Yellow River Basin, showcasing the significant impact of multi-cross structures.