Gong et al. (2026) Computational configuration of an agricultural irrigation rainwater harvesting system in karst regions based on drought characteristics

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-22
• Authors: Jiyi Gong, Shengtian Yang, Hezhen Lou, Ming Tang, Chengcheng Gao, Xueyong Huang, Feng Cheng, Chen Li
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110713

Research Groups

• College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University
• School of Ecological Civilization (Research Institute), Guizhou Normal University
• Guiyang Water Environment Group Company Limited
• Guizhou Institute of Water Resources Science

Short Summary

This study establishes a calculation algorithm for configuring agricultural irrigation rainwater harvesting systems in karst areas based on drought characteristics, providing a viable technical solution for rainwater harvesting and drought resistance in agricultural production.

Objective

• To develop a method for calculating the configuration of rainwater harvesting systems based on regional drought characteristics and irrigation demands.
• To analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of drought in the study area from 1970 to 2020 (frequency, intensity, and seasonality).
• To derive a quantitative configuration algorithm linking catchment surface area, low-level collection reservoir volume, and high-level storage reservoir volume based on the water balance principle.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Guizhou Province in southern China, covering an area of 109,100 km².
• Temporal Scale: Long-term drought characteristics analysis from 1970 to 2020.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) calculation method with improved ETc for ETo substitution.
• Data sources: Daily meteorological data from 84 meteorological stations within the study area, satellite remote sensing data at a spatial resolution of 0.1°.

Main Results

• The algorithm-derived design storage volume (DSV) and actual storage volume (ASV) showed good consistency across multiple rainfall cycles during two rainy seasons.
• The mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), and maximum absolute error (Max AE) were used to evaluate the consistency and deviation between DSV and ASV.
• The rainwater collection efficiency (RCE) of the systems at the three sites was statistically analyzed, with an average RCE of 77%.

Contributions

• This study provides a theoretical basis for the scientific design of agricultural rainwater harvesting irrigation systems in karst rocky desertification areas.
• The developed algorithm can be applied to other regions with similar climate and geological characteristics.

Funding

• Not specified.

Citation

@article{Gong2026Computational,
  author = {Gong, Jiyi and Yang, Shengtian and Lou, Hezhen and Tang, Ming and Gao, Chengcheng and Huang, Xueyong and Cheng, Feng and Li, Chen},
  title = {Computational configuration of an agricultural irrigation rainwater harvesting system in karst regions based on drought characteristics},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110713},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110713}
}