Estimation of landscape water storage changes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau based on multi-source data

Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) Study focus Landscape water storage (LWS) in the QTP serves as a critical resource sustaining diverse ecosystems and supporting the livelihoods of societies across Asia. Relying solely on field surveys and single data sources makes it difficult to estimate LWS. In this study, we utilized multiple data sources to estimate the changes in vegetation water storage (VWS), snow water equivalent storage (SWES), glacier water equivalent storage (GWES), lake and channel water storage (LCWS), and soil water storage (SWS) on the QTP from 2001 to 2020. New hydrological insights for the region The entropy method was used to construct the LWS index (LWSI) and a normalized LWS change index (NLWSCI) was constructed to reflect variations across different types of LWS. Two zoning schemes were established based on the NLWSCI and LWSI. From 2001–2020, the total LWS volume decreased by 124.15 km³ ; the total volumes of GWES, SWES, and VWS decreased by 343.76 km³ , 3.70 km³ , and 1.64 km³ , respectively, whereas those of LCWS and SWS increased by 179.24 km³ and 45.71 km³ , respectively. Changes in the area and volume of LWS were determined according to NLWSCI and LWSI zoning schemes. Finally, we analyzed the drivers of spatial distribution changes in different types of LWS and proposed strategies for protecting the LWS of the QTP. • Changes in landscape water storage were analyzed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. • Estimated changes included vegetation, snow, glaciers, lakes, channels, and soil. • Dominant factors influencing each landscape water storage change were analyzed. • A spatial zoning scheme was developed based on a landscape water storage index. • Protective measures were proposed for landscape water storage.