414 / 2024-03-14 18:05:48

Eco-environmental changes due to hydrological connectivity alterations in the Dongting Lake, China

Dongting Lake; hydrological connectivity; eco-environmental changes; water quality; sustainable development

Subtheme 3: Eco-hydraulics and Environment > Topic 4: Ecological Regulation and Hydrological Connectivity

The connectivity of river and lake systems has profound impacts on the water environment of rivers and lakes. This study focuses on the Dongting Lake area, exploring the mechanism of water environmental evolution under the conditions of hydrological connectivity variability. Employing hydrodynamic-water quality mathematical modeling, this research simulates and analyzes the water environmental processes in the Jingjiang-Dongting Lake area. The findings indicate that under reduced hydrological connectivity, the degree of eutrophication in the Dongting Lake area intensifies, water quality deteriorates, and issues such as excessive algal growth become increasingly prominent. Additionally, changes in hydrological connectivity alter the structure and function of the lake's ecosystem, impacting the provision of wetland ecological services. This study further analyzes the potential risks and challenges to the water environment of the Dongting Lake area posed by variations in hydrological connectivity and offers corresponding management suggestions and countermeasures to ensure the sustainable development of the Dongting Lake water environment. This research holds significant implications for understanding the impact mechanisms of hydrological connectivity variations on the water environment and enhancing the management level of the water environment in the Dongting Lake area.