Impacts of Precipitation on Groundwater Preservation Capacity of Agricultural Regions in North China

Abstract

[Objective] The impacts of precipitation on the groundwater preservation capacity for agricultural regions in North China were studied in order to provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable use of groundwater resources in this region. [Methods] We established a theoretical system for evaluating groundwater preservation capacity (F) and determined the influence of precipitation changes on F value in agricultural regions of North China using methods such as geoscience statistics and correlation analysis. [Results] ① The spatial distribution of F value changed dramatically as precipitation changed. The multi-year average and wet years were dominated by the “basic guarantee” distribution, while the dry years were dominated by the “difficult to guarantee” distribution; ② As precipitation changed, the frequency of F value also varied in different locations. In the Yanshan Plain and the Taihang-Hebei Plain, when the precipitation frequency was greater than 75% and 50%, respectively, the F value was less than 0.5; in the Taihang-Henan Plain, when the precipitation frequency was less than 75%, the F value was greater than 1.0; in the Central Henan Plain, when the precipitation frequency was less than 50%, the F value increased to 1.0; in the Central Shandong Plain and Littoral Plain, when the precipitation frequency was less than 25%, the F value was greater than 0.5; in the Central Hebei Plain, there were only a few years where the F value was greater than 0.5. [Conclusions] Precipitation is an important factor that affects groundwater preservation capacity. For areas that can be “highly preserved” even during normal and dry years, the scale of agricultural planting can be appropriately expanded to ensure ample food production. However, for areas that are “difficult to preserve” and have “lower preservation” capacity during wet years, the scale of agricultural planting should be appropriately reduced to alleviate the pressure of groundwater overexploitation.

Keywords

• precipitation change
• agricultural region
• groundwater
• preservation capacity
• north china plain