Flood Runoff Simulation under Changing Environment, Based on Multiple Satellite Data in the Jinghe River Basin of the Loess Plateau, China

Understanding the hydrological surface condition changes, climate change and their combined impacts on flood runoff are critical for comprehending hydrology under environmental changes solving future management challenges. This study was designed to examine relative contributions of in a 45,421-km2 watershed Loess Plateau region. Statistical analytical methods, including Kendall’s trend test, Theisen median analysis, cumulative anomaly method, were used detect trends relationship between climatic variables, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land use/cover (LUCC) data, observed runoff. A grid-cell distributed rainfall–runoff model quantitative hydrologic responses variability land-use change. We found that variables not statistically significantly different (p > 0.05) over period. From 1985 2013, cropland area continued decrease, while forest land, pastures, residential areas increased Jinghe River Basin. Affected by LUCC change, peak discharges volumes decreased 8–22% 5–67%, respectively. can provide reference planning control policy formulation revision area.