Successful and sustainable governance of the lower Yellow River, China: A floodplain utilization approach for balancing ecological conservation and development

A novel model has been proposed for the methodical development and safe utilization of the lower Yellow River floodplain to provide flood control with a graded standard, sediment deposition in the partitioned zone, and the free exchange of channel runoff and sediment. The wide floodplain, which is located between the dam and the main channel, has been typically divided into three zones: high, tender, and low floodplains. Meanwhile, different ecological construction models have been suggested for each zone. This paper summarizes all related research findings; describes the overall research ideas and methodologies; expounds key issues such as land planning and utilization, sediment prediction and regulation, and multi-dimensional industrial safeguards in the lower Yellow River floodplain; and provides orientation for future research on the ecological development of the lower Yellow River floodplain. This study aims to promote the refinement of the ecological development model for the lower Yellow River floodplain and accelerate the application of research findings regarding land development and utilization of the lower Yellow River floodplain.