The impacts of runoff decrease and shoreline change on the salinity distribution in the wetlands of Liao River estuary, China

Abstract. The wetland of Liao River estuary (LRE) in northeastern China is one the best-preserved wetlands across globe. However, it extremely vulnerable to hydrological changes as well other disturbances, particularly upstream river discharges and reclamation from anthropogenic activities. In this study, a 3D hydrodynamic model was used reproduce flow patterns LRE explore variation salinity under different scenarios. Furthermore, impact discharge shoreline on distribution quantitatively analyzed discussed through several simulation experiments. reasonably reconstructed spatiotemporal variability intertidal areas. Increases runoff were demonstrated significantly decrease mean values estuary, with negatively correlated longitudinal distance mouth. Moreover, change caused by construction Panjin Port observed have an obvious influence LRE, lower reaches Pink Beach wetland. Comparisons residual fields shorelines revealed that establishment port resulted diffusion Daliao due obstruction body, which enhanced tidal mixing effect consequently weakened dilution freshwater entering Overall, current study should be helpful for offering greater understanding Suaeda heteroptera vegetation degradation China, also provides new perspective investigating mechanism estuarine wetlands.