Effect of landscape restoration on evapotranspiration and water use in the Yellow River Basin, China

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a key role in water cycle and energy balance, and the construction of large areas of vegetation in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) will cause an increase in regional ET and changes in water use in the basin. Based on GLEAM evapotranspiration products, meteorological stations and land use data, this study used slope trend analysis, Mann-Kendall (M-K) test and partial correlation analysis to analyse changes in evapotranspiration and water use in the YRB before and after reforestation from 1980 to 2019. The results showed that the annual average ET of the YRB from 1980 to 2019 ranged from 363 to 447 mm with an average change rate of 10.2 mm/10a. The actual evapotranspiration/potential evapotranspiration (ET/PET) growth rate of the YRB decreased after the Grain for Green Project (GGP), and the actual evapotranspiration/precipitation (ET/P) decreased extremely significantly. Water use efficiency in the YRB was significantly reduced, and grassland was subjected to greater water stress. This study provides scientific support for future water balance, landscape restoration, ecological protection and quality development of the YRB.