Impact of climate change and variability on water resources in heihe River Basin

Studies indicate that the climate has experienced a dramatic change in the Heihe River Basin with scope of temperature rise reaching 0.5–l.l°C in the 1990s compared to the mean value of the period 1960–1990, precipitation increased 18.5 mm in the 1990s compared to the 1950s, and 6.5 mm in the 1990s compared to the mean value of the period 1960–1990, water resources decreased 2.6 × 108 m3 in the 1990s compared to the 1950s, and 0.4 × 108 m3 in the 1990s compared to the mean value of the period 1960–1990. These changes have exerted a greater effect on the local environment and socio-economy, and also made the condition worsening in water resources utilizations in the Heihe Rver Basin.