Articles | Volume 23, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7939-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-7939-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Riverine organic matter dynamics in the headwaters of the Yellow River under climate change
School of Geographical Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Monitoring and Control for Soil Erosion in Dry Valleys, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
Jie Wang
School of Geographical Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
Tianqing Ren
School of Geographical Sciences, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
Jun Zhou
Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
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Short summary
Organic matter dynamics in alpine rivers are highly sensitive to climate change, yet long-term trends in riverine organic matter (ROM) remain poorly. Using satellite and in situ observation data and machine-learning models, we discovered that midstream regions of the Yellow River's headstream show higher and increasing ROM linked to wetter conditions, richer soils, and greater vegetation, but climate change is projected to reduce ROM in the Yellow River's headstreams by the end of the century.
Organic matter dynamics in alpine rivers are highly sensitive to climate change, yet long-term...
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