Research Progress on Variations of the Climate and Water Resources in the Source Region of the Yangtze River

The present study summarizes the recent research progress on variations of the climate and water resources in the source region of the Yangtze River. The results show that the climate change and water resources change in the source regions of the Yangtze River have changed significantly. From the 1960s, the characteristics of climate change in the source region of the Yangtze River show that: the annual and seasonal temperature show a significant warming trend; the evaporation of the water surface and land surface show an increasing trend. After entering 21st century, the precipitation in the source region of the Yangtze River is increasing. The characteristic of water resources change in the source region of the Yangtze River show that: the glaciers in this region have been retreating; the wetland degradation is significantly. Before 21st Century, the runoff in the source regions of the Yangtze River showed a significant decreasing trend, but the water resources increased significantly in the last 10 years. The temperature increased significantly in the last 10 years in the source region of the Yangtze River, causing more glaciers to melt and water resources to increase in the region. Expected to 2050, the temperatures will rise, rainfall will increase, the area of glaciers will reduce and the water resources are likely to increase in the source region of the Yangtze River.