Sun et al. (2026) Ecohydrological pathways linking snow cover to spring green up across Northern Hemisphere ecosystems

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-16
• Authors: Jian Sun, Fengping Li, Peng Qi, Hongyan Li, Haiqing Wang
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103983

Research Groups

• Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
• Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
• College of New Energy and Environment, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
• Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China

Short Summary

This study investigates the relationship between snow cover and spring green-up across seasonally snow-covered regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The results show that earlier snow disappearance is associated with warmer air temperature, which subsequently advances the start of the growing season (SOS). The effects of snow cover on SOS are mainly mediated by the SCED → AT → SOS pathway.

Objective

• Investigate the relationship between snow cover and spring green-up across seasonally snow-covered regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Identify the pathways through which snow cover affects the start of the growing season (SOS).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Seasonally snow-covered regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Temporal Scale: 1982–2022.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Partial Least Squares structural equation modeling (SEM).
• Data sources: GIMMS NDVI3g dataset, ERA5-Land dataset, MOD10A1F dataset, and MODIS MOD13A2 datasets.

Main Results

• SCED showed a stronger association with SOS than SCD and SWEmax.
• The dominant pathway was SCED → AT → SOS.
• The soil-moisture pathway was more restricted and ecosystem dependent.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the ecohydrological pathways linking snow cover to spring green-up across seasonally snow-covered regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• The results highlight the importance of considering both thermal and moisture effects in understanding the relationship between snow cover and SOS.

Funding

• Not specified.

Citation

@article{Sun2026Ecohydrological,
  author = {Sun, Jian and Li, Fengping and Qi, Peng and Li, Hongyan and Wang, Haiqing},
  title = {Ecohydrological pathways linking snow cover to spring green up across Northern Hemisphere ecosystems},
  journal = {Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103983},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2026.103983}
}