Water security in the Qinling Mountains: current status, climate and human influences, and adaptive strategies
Xiaofei Li, Peiyue Li, Jifa Liu
Abstract
This study comprehensively examines the integrated impacts of climate change and human activities on regional water security in and around the Qinling Mountains, China. Key findings highlight pronounced disparities in water resource availability and quality between the northern Guanzhong Basin and the southern Hanjiang River Basin, exacerbated by rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and intensified human interventions. An integrated strategic framework to ensure sustainable water resource management and risk mitigation was proposed, which offers a structured approach to enhancing ecological resilience and preserving essential water resources, while reconciling ecological preservation with socioeconomic development in climate sensitive mountain regions.