The study looked at how evaporation affects the climate around Qinghai Lake. They found that evaporation is highest in the arid desert area to the south of the lake, and lower in the semi-arid and agricultural regions to the east. Over the past 37 years, evaporation has been decreasing, contrary to expectations based on rising temperatures. This decrease in evaporation, along with increased precipitation, has weakened the arid climate of Qinghai Lake. Evaporation is not just influenced by temperature and rainfall, but also by other meteorological factors.