River–Canal Changes in the Middle Reaches of the Minjiang River (1644–1949): Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Mechanisms

A comprehensive analysis of the Minjiang River's middle reaches reveals distinct spatiotemporal patterns of river-canal changes from 1644 to 1949, shaped by a complex interplay of human intervention and natural forces. The study identifies four subregions with unique driving mechanisms: Inner River (human-dominated), Outer River (flood-stressed), Nanhe River (low-disturbance stable), and Lower Basin (natural-human composite). Using archival documents, historical maps, remote sensing imagery, and water cultural heritage sites, researchers quantified changes such as anthropogenic constructions and environmentally driven alterations. They found that population growth drove human-led interventions, while floods and canal maintenance failures exacerbated environmental changes. This research offers new insights into long-term human-water interactions in large irrigation districts under climate change.

Yan, Y., Han, T., & Dai, Q. (2026). River–Canal Changes in the Middle Reaches of the Minjiang River (1644–1949): Spatiotemporal Evolution and Driving Mechanisms. Water, 18(13), 1575. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18131575