Spatial-temporal characteristics in landscape evolution of the Yellow River Delta during 1855-2000 and a way out for the Yellow River estuary.

Based on graphical and quantitative methodology of landscape ecology and Geo-information Tupu, this paper studies the landscape spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of the Yellow River Delta (YRD), which was built up by periodic physical swings of the Yellow River (YR) rump channel during 1855-2000. According to the research on spatial-temporal evolution of YRD and YR rump channel, we conclude that the Qingshuigou channel has reached its limit and a new flow channel for YR should be built up sooner or later. It suggests that the shift of YR channel should abide by its natural rules of flowing through depressions among previous channels and could be carried out by artificial efforts. The paper discusses the problems and alternate ways out for treatment of the high content of silt in the YR flow at the estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]