Abstract

Sediment yield in a river basin can be divided into formation and transport of sediment, and sediment yield process in a river basin is affected by natural factors and human activities that a basin supports. Natural factors affecting the sediment yield process of Hanjiang river basin mainly include precipitation, composition of rock and soil, underlying surface and vegetation cover etc. Influence of human activities on sediment yield process of Hanjiang river basin mainly includes hydroproject construction, planting and damage of vegetation cover as well as overland reclamation etc. Natural factors carry the ball in the formation of sediment in Hangjiang river basin. In human activities, hydroproject construction mainly takes effect on the sediment transport and spatio-temporal distribution of sediment, some mega-hydroprojects can also affect the formation of sediment indirectly through affecting natural factors; Planting and damage of vegetation cover as well as overland reclamation mainly affect the formation of sediment.

Keywords: Natural factor; human activities; Hanjiang river basin; sediment yield process