The information about Chinese lakes has evolved since the original report. Recent studies provide a more nuanced understanding of lake dynamics in China, particularly on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP).
Lake Changes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Over the past century, lakes on the QTP have experienced significant fluctuations:
1. From 1920 to 1995, the total lake area decreased by 13%, from 40,779.33 km² to 35,308.31 km²[4].
2. However, between 1995 and 2020, there was a remarkable reversal:
– Lake area increased rapidly, reaching 46,201.62 km² by 2020, which is 21% higher than in 1960[4].
– The number of lakes larger than 1 km² increased from 1,107 in 1960 to 1,197 in 2020[4].
Factors Influencing Lake Changes
Several factors contribute to these complex lake dynamics:
1. Climate Change: Rising temperatures have led to increased glacial meltwater, contributing to lake expansion in high-altitude regions like Tibet[2][6].
2. Precipitation Changes: Increased net precipitation has been a major contributor (∼70%) to lake volume increases in some areas[2].
3. Permafrost Thaw: Ground ice melting due to thawing permafrost is another potential source of lake expansion[2].
4. Regional Variations: Lake changes differ between northern and southern China, with arid northern regions more affected by climate changes[1].
Recent Trends and Impacts
1. Lake Expansion: Many lakes, especially on the QTP, have been expanding in recent years. For example, Selin Co has shown significant growth due to increased precipitation and glacial meltwater[2].
2. Heat Extremes: Recent studies indicate that heat extremes are increasing at a rate of about 2.08 days/decade, contributing to 36.5% of the warming trends in lake surface temperatures[3].
3. Ecological Consequences: Lake changes have significant impacts on local ecosystems. For instance, the shrinking of Dalai Lake in Inner Mongolia has led to grassland degradation and desertification[5].
Conclusion
While earlier reports highlighted lake shrinkage, more recent data shows a complex picture of both expansion and contraction, heavily influenced by climate change, glacial melting, and human activities. The dynamics of Chinese lakes, particularly on the QTP, continue to be an important area of study for understanding regional water resources and ecological changes.
Read More
[1] https://phys.org/news/2011-03-china-lakes.html
[2] https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/2745/2022/
[3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44404-7
[4] https://essd.copernicus.org/preprints/essd-2021-130/essd-2021-130-manuscript-version3.pdf
[5] https://dialogue.earth/en/climate/4068-china-s-great-disappearing-lake/
[6] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11685718/
[7] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1015543/full
[8] https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/13/3951/2021/
[9] https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/1/132
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36736392/