Zhang et al. (2026) Cascade Reservoirs Reshape Environmental Constraints on Vegetation Phenology in Alpine Riparian Ecosystems

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Identification

• Journal: Earth s Future
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Yixuan Zhang, Yongxian Zhang, Yuan Xue, Mengzhen Xu, Xudong Fu, Chunhong Hu
• DOI: 10.1029/2026ef008489

Research Groups

• Institute of Hydroecology and Aquatic Ecosystems (IHAE)
• Department of Earth System Science (DESS)

Short Summary

This study investigates the impact of cascade reservoirs on riparian vegetation phenology within the Lancang-Mekong River, decoupling their effects from global warming. The research reveals that reservoir regulation counteracts climate-driven changes in growing season timing.

Objective

• Investigate the net ecological effects of cascade reservoirs on riparian ecohydrology

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Transboundary Lancang-Mekong River Basin, with a focus on a 5 km buffer along dammed reaches
• Temporal Scale: 2001–2020, using multi-source remote sensing data

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Difference in differences (DID) method, structural equation modeling (SEM), interpretable machine learning framework
• Data sources: Multi-source remote sensing data (satellite, observation, reanalysis)

Main Results

• Cascade reservoirs counteract climate-driven advances in the start of the growing season (SOS) with a relative delay of 6.3 days
• Reservoir regulation delays the end of the growing season (EOS) by 2.5 days, primarily driven by the 2–5 km band
• Seasonally asymmetric intervention due to localized hydrothermal alterations

Contributions

• Provides a vital scientific basis for sustainable hydropower and adaptive ecosystem management in regulated alpine river systems
• Uncovers microclimatic mechanisms underlying reservoir-induced changes in riparian vegetation phenology

Funding

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
• Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

Citation

@article{Zhang2026Cascade,
  author = {Zhang, Yixuan and Zhang, Yongxian and Xue, Yuan and Xu, Mengzhen and Fu, Xudong and Hu, Chunhong},
  title = {Cascade Reservoirs Reshape Environmental Constraints on Vegetation Phenology in Alpine Riparian Ecosystems},
  journal = {Earth s Future},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2026ef008489},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2026ef008489}
}