Phommavong et al. (2026) Integrated Approach to Modelling and Forecasting Water Balance under Climate Change in Southern Laos Using Hydrological Model

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-02-28
• Authors: Ketsana Phommavong, Jian Yan
• DOI: 10.1142/s2345748126500028

Research Groups

Not explicitly stated in the paper.

Short Summary

This study investigates the water balance dynamics in southern Laos from 2018 to 2022, revealing a high infiltration capacity (63.5%) due to sandy loam soils, significant runoff (30%) during monsoons, and low evapotranspiration (6.4%), providing crucial insights for regional water management.

Objective

• To examine the dynamics of the water balance in southern Laos between 2018 and 2022 and assess the impact of deep drainage, runoff, and evapotranspiration.
• To provide observations on water retention, vulnerability to floods, and sensitivity to droughts in the region.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Southern Laos (regional scale).
• Temporal Scale: 5 years (2018 to 2022).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not explicitly named, but a hydrological simulation model was employed, demonstrating robust performance, particularly during runoff peaks, as indicated by evaluation metrics.
• Data sources: Observational data for water retention, precipitation, and derived indices including drought indices (SPI-6), vegetation responses (MSAVI), and runoff coefficients.

Main Results

• The water balance indicates a significant infiltration capacity of 63.5% in the region, attributed to sandy loam soils and limited surface sealing.
• Runoff constitutes 30% of the water balance, exhibiting sudden increases during monsoon rains.
• Evapotranspiration is notably low at 6.4%, potentially regulated by dense vegetation and the tropical monsoon environment.
• Model evaluation metrics confirmed robust simulation performance, especially in capturing runoff peaks.
• Analysis of drought indices (SPI-6), vegetation responses (MSAVI), and runoff coefficients clarified the complex relationships between precipitation, infiltration, and surface runoff.

Contributions

• Provides quantitative insights into the water balance components (infiltration, runoff, evapotranspiration) for southern Laos, a region increasingly affected by climate change.
• Offers valuable observations on water retention, flood vulnerability, and drought sensitivity specific to the study area.
• Delivers research findings directly applicable to planning water management strategies and improving farming practices in monsoon-heavy regions.

Funding

Not explicitly stated in the paper.

Citation

@article{Phommavong2026Integrated,
  author = {Phommavong, Ketsana and Yan, Jian},
  title = {Integrated Approach to Modelling and Forecasting Water Balance under Climate Change in Southern Laos Using Hydrological Model},
  journal = {Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1142/s2345748126500028},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1142/s2345748126500028}
}