Xiao et al. (2026) Identification and Spatiotemporal Evolution of Drought–Flood Abrupt Alternation Events in the Yellow River Basin Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)

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Identification

• Journal: Water
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-04-29
• Authors: Heng Xiao, Huiru Su, Wentao Cai, Xiuyu Zhang, Chen Lu
• DOI: 10.3390/w18091053

Research Groups

Not specified

Short Summary

The study develops a quantitative identification method for drought–flood abrupt alternation (DFAA) events in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) using SPEI data from 1982 to 2021, revealing an increasing trend in event frequency, particularly in the middle and lower reaches.

Objective

• To propose a quantitative identification method for DFAA events in the Yellow River Basin and analyze their spatiotemporal evolution characteristics.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Yellow River Basin (YRB), including upper, middle, and lower reaches, and specific water resource subregions (IV, VI, VII, and VIII).
• Temporal Scale: 1982 to 2021 (Daily resolution).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI).
• Data sources: Daily SPEI data.

Main Results

• Grid-scale Analysis: Mean occurrence frequency was 0.67 events, mean duration was 30.57 d, and mean intensity was 1.45, with a slowly increasing trend in frequency over time.
• Basin-scale Analysis: 16 DFAA events were identified with a mean annual frequency of 0.4 events/year (showing an increasing decadal trend), a mean total duration of 31.81 d, and intensity ranging from 0.96 to 1.79.
• Spatial Distribution:
  • Frequency: Higher in the middle and lower reaches and the inland-drainage area; lower in the upper reaches.
  • Intensity: Higher in the west than the east, and higher in the south than the north.
• Regional Hotspots: Subregions IV (Hekouzhen–Longmen), VI (Sanmenxia–Huayuankou), VII (below Huayuankou), and VIII (inland-drainage area) exhibited higher occurrence frequencies and larger fluctuations in duration.

Contributions

• Establishes a validated quantitative identification method for DFAA events that aligns with historical records.
• Provides a detailed spatiotemporal characterization of drought-flood alternations in the YRB, offering a scientific basis for flood control, drought relief, and disaster risk management.

Funding

Not specified

Citation

@article{Xiao2026Identification,
  author = {Xiao, Heng and Su, Huiru and Cai, Wentao and Zhang, Xiuyu and Lu, Chen},
  title = {Identification and Spatiotemporal Evolution of Drought–Flood Abrupt Alternation Events in the Yellow River Basin Based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)},
  journal = {Water},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3390/w18091053},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/w18091053}
}