Zhang et al. (2026) Spatial Synchronization and Propagation of Soil Moisture Droughts Over China Using Complex Network Theory

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Identification

• Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-02
• Authors: Linqi Zhang, Y. Liu, Menghao Wang, Liliang Ren, Yiping Li, Xiaoli Yang, Linyong Wei, X. Zhang
• DOI: 10.1029/2025jd044298

Research Groups

• Not specified in the provided text.

Short Summary

This study utilizes complex network theory and random forest models to analyze the spatial synchronization, regional drivers, and propagation pathways of weekly soil moisture droughts across China from 1979 to 2019. The research identifies key drought source and sink regions while quantifying the meteorological and geographical factors influencing drought connectivity.

Objective

• To investigate the spatial association, regional drivers, and evolution patterns of weekly soil moisture (SM) drought events across China to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: National scale (China), with regional focus on Tibet, Xinjiang, Shaanxi, and eastern/southern provinces.
• Temporal Scale: 1979–2019 (weekly resolution).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Complex network theory (for spatial synchronization and propagation analysis) and Random Forest models (for identifying regional drivers).
• Data sources: Weekly soil moisture data and various environmental covariates including precipitation (P), potential evapotranspiration (PET), atmospheric pressure (PRS), zonal wind speed (WIN_10v), terrain gradient, river area (RiA), and relative humidity (RHU).

Main Results

• Spatial Synchronization: High synchronization (average degree centrality > 250) was found in eastern Tibet, northern Shaanxi, and southeastern and northeastern China.
• Regional Drivers:
  • Western China: Dominated by precipitation (24.1%), PET (15.2%), and atmospheric pressure (10.8%).
  • Northeastern China: Driven by precipitation, zonal wind speed, and terrain gradient (average contribution of 7.7%).
  • Southern China: River area was the primary factor (15.1%), significantly outweighing relative humidity and wind speed.
• Propagation Patterns:
  • Sources: Western Xinjiang and northern Tibet.
  • Sinks: Eastern Tibet, western Sichuan, northern Guizhou, northeastern Jiangxi, and southeastern Heilongjiang.
  • Dynamics: Droughts originating in northern Tibet typically propagate in a south-southeast (SSE) direction with a strength of 90 and distances ranging from 1,500 km to 1,800 km.

Contributions

• Demonstrates the effectiveness of complex network approaches in characterizing the spatiotemporal connectivity of soil moisture droughts.
• Provides a regionalized understanding of drought drivers, highlighting the importance of non-meteorological factors like river area in specific zones.
• Maps the specific propagation trajectories and distances of drought events, offering a basis for cross-regional agricultural drought forecasting.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Spatial,
  author = {Zhang, Linqi and Liu, Y. and Wang, Menghao and Ren, Liliang and Li, Yiping and Yang, Xiaoli and Wei, Linyong and Zhang, X.},
  title = {Spatial Synchronization and Propagation of Soil Moisture Droughts Over China Using Complex Network Theory},
  journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2025jd044298},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025jd044298}
}

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