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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (2): 43-52.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00113

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Review on precipitation change over the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in recent 60 years

Aihua Hao1(), Xian Xue2(), Quangang You2, Chaoyang Gou1   

  1. 1.Department of Geography,Xinzhou Normal University,Xinzhou 034000,Shanxi,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences,Lanzhou 730000,China
  • Received:2022-04-20 Revised:2022-08-01 Online:2023-03-20 Published:2023-04-12
  • Contact: Xian Xue

Abstract:

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is a unique physiographic region with the highest elevationof in the world. It is known to have a significant impact on local, regional, and even global weather and climate systems. Based on observational data from meteorological stations, here we review variation characteristics of average and extreme precipitation and associated influencing factors in the QTP since 1960. Results show that annual average precipitation throughout the Tibetan Plateau has increased over the past 60 years, with variation rates ranging from 3.8 mm to 12.0 mm/decade, but its significance level is disputed. Precipitation has increased significantly in winter and spring, being highest in spring, while no obvious precipitation change has been observed in summer and autumn. At a regional scale, precipitation in the Three Rivers' Headstream Region exhibited an increasing trend, with a variation rate between 7.3-20 mm/decade. Annual mean precipitation in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin did not exhibit an obvious increasing trend, with a changing rate between 0.4-9.0 mm/decade. Precipitation in the Qilian Mountains increased significantly, with a variation rate between 1.0-13.2 mm/decade. The average annual precipitation rate was 1.9-3.3 mm/decade in the Qinghai Plateau, 12.5 mm/decade in the Tibetan Plateau, 6.7-8.6 mm/decade in the Qaidam Basin, and 7.2 mm/decade in the Gonghe Basin. Extreme precipitation events and the number of extreme precipitation days have increased significantly throughout the QTP, and the spatial heterogeneity of extreme precipitation changes has been significant. Many factors have been shown to affect precipitation change throughout the QTP, including large-scale atmospheric circulation factors, plateau surface conditions, and climate warming. Further researches should use more types of data sources to monitor precipitation changes throughout the QTP, especially precipitation changes at regional or watershed scales, and to further improve the mechanism research of precipitation changes over the QTP.

Key words: Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, precipitation change, extreme precipitation, influencing factor

CLC Number: