Zhang et al. (2026) Uneven decline in the hydrological efficiency of China's natural and plantation forests

Identification

• Journal: Hydrology and earth system sciences
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-17
• Authors: Xiao Zhang, Xinxiao Yu, Guodong Jia
• DOI: 10.5194/hess-30-3697-2026

Research Groups

• School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University
• Key Laboratory of State Forestry Administration on Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University

Short Summary

This study investigates the spatiotemporal patterns of transpiration sensitivity (θ) in China's natural forests (NF) and plantation forests (PF) from 1990 to 2020. The results show that θ declined significantly over time in both forest types, with a stronger decline in PF than in NF.

Objective

• Quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of transpiration sensitivity (θ) in China's natural forests (NF) and plantation forests (PF)
• Identify the hydroclimatic controls underlying these patterns

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Terrestrial China, spanning temperate, subtropical, and tropical climate zones
• Temporal Scale: 1990-2020 growing seasons

Methodology and Data

• Models used: GLEAM v4.2a for evapotranspiration components and soil moisture; ERA5-Land for meteorological variables
• Data sources: Remote-sensing data (GIMMS LAI4g, forest type maps), reanalysis datasets (GLEAM, ERA5-Land)

Main Results

• θ declined significantly over time in both NF and PF, with a stronger decline in PF than in NF
• The relative roles of soil moisture (SM) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) differed between NF and PF
• θ varied nonlinearly along the joint SM-VPD gradient in both forest types

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into how contrasting forest types regulate water use under concurrent warming and greening, with implications for climate-adaptive forest and water-resource management.

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Uneven,
  author = {Zhang, Xiao and Yu, Xinxiao and Jia, Guodong},
  title = {Uneven decline in the hydrological efficiency of China's natural and plantation forests},
  journal = {Hydrology and earth system sciences},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.5194/hess-30-3697-2026},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3697-2026}
}