Addressing hydrological science problems in the Yangtze River: An integrated water systems approach

The Yangtze River is the largest river and is called the mother river in China. Since the economic reform initiated in 1979, remarkable economic growth has been associated with large campaigns of exploitation in the Yangtze River Basin. Under the impacts of climate change and land-use and cover change, the Yangtze River Basin faces a series of challenges in massive flooding/drought and eco-environmental health related problems. While the past few decades have witnessed the apparent deterioration of the Yangtze River ecosystem, the public has called for the restoration of ecosystem services and the promotion of sustainable socioeconomic development, which largely depends on water and ecosystem security. This overview addresses eco-water security and sustainable development in the Yangtze River basin under a changing environment. Looking forward to a healthy Yangtze River in the future, there are still uncertainties regarding how to assess and wisely manage the Yangtze River through a systematic, integrated approach applied to multiple dimensions, water, biodiversity, ecological services, and resilience, for the sustainable development of ecosystems and human beings. We designed the Yangtze Simulator, which is an integrated modelling system for the evaluation of eco-water security in the Yangtze River Basin powered by artificial intelligence and interdisciplinary science. The Yangtze Simulator will serve as a robust tool for good governance of the Yangtze River Basin.