Influence of climate change on the water environment of the Hulun Lake

Abstract

Based on remote sensing images, this study calculated the area of Chinese Hulun Lake from 1959 to 2009 and through collection and sorting of meteorological and hydrological data from four weather stations and three hydrological stations in Hulun Lake and the upstream basin from 1957 to 2009, comprehensive analysis of the influence of climate change on Hulun Lake’s water environment were also carried out. The results show that through related analysis, the lake area has an obvious negative correlation with temperature and positive correlation with rainfall showing. Thus, rising temperature, reduced rainfall and decreased flow are the main reasons for the decrease in the area of the Hulun Lake. Climate change has significant influence on the water status of Hulun Lake. Finally, the effect of climate change on the ecological environment of the Hulun Lake was analyzed, and the model of the relation between the Lake water level and meteorological factors such as rainfall, temperature and runoff volume was established. This research can provide reference for the management of water environment of lakes in cold and arid regions.

Keywords: Hulun Lake, climate change, water environment, remote sensing image