The study looked at how changes in water flow and sediment in the Yellow River are influenced by natural factors and human activities. By analyzing data from a specific area in the middle reaches of the river, researchers found that changes in climate and human actions have led to a significant decrease in water flow and sediment load. From the 1970s to the 1980s, runoff and sediment in the area decreased by an average of 53.4% and 28.6%, respectively. This shows that environmental factors and human activities play a crucial role in shaping the flow of water and sediment in the Yellow River.