Map of the study area. Basin codes: HHR, Heihe River Basin; QDM, Qaidam Basin; QHL, Qinghai Lake Basin; SLR, Shule River Basin; SYR, Shiyang River Basin; YR, Yellow River Basin. Six Basins' boundaries are outlined with curves of different colours: HHR with dark green, QDM with red, QHL with green, SLR with purple, SYR with pink, YR with green. River codes: 1, Dajing River (DJR); 2, Gulang River (GLR); 3, Huangyang River (HYR); 4, Hongshui River (HSR1); 5, Zamu River (ZMR); 6, Shiyang River (SYR1); 7, Xiying River (XYR); 8, Dongda River (DDR); 9, Jingchuan River (JCR); 10, Xida River (XDR); 11, Damaying River (DMYR); 12, Hongshuida River (HSDR); 13, Babao River (BBR); 14, Heihe River (HHR1); 15, Liyuan River (LYR); 16, Beida River (BDR); 17, Shiyou River (SYR2); 18, Shule River (SLR1); 19, Lucao River (LCR); 20, Yulin River (YLR); 21, Danghe River (DHR); 22, Sugan Lake (SGL); 23, Dahaerteng River (DHETR); 24, Datong River (DTR); 25, Shatangchuan River (STCR); 26, Beichuan River (BCR); 27, Huangshui River (HSR); 28, Daotang River (DTR1); 29, Zhihaique River (ZHQR); 30, Heima River (HMR); 31, Qinghai Lake (QHL1); 32, Ganzi River (GZR); 33, Haergai River (HEGR); 34, Quanji River (QJR); 35 Shaliu River (SLR2); 36, Buha River (BHR); 37CKYL, Chakayan Lake; 38, Chaidan Lake (CDL); 39, Tataleng River (TTLR); 40, Bayin River (BYR); 41, Keluke Lake (KLKL); 42, Tuosu Lake (TSL); 43, Tuolahai River (TLHR); 44, Geermu River (GEMR); 45, Nuer River (NER); 46, Nuomuhong River (NMHR); 47, Qaidam River (QDMR); 48, Dulan River (DLR); 49, Xiangride River (XRDR); 50, Tuosuo Lake (TSL1); 51, Yellow River; 52, Zhuanglang River.