Understanding the shift in drivers of terrestrial water storage decline in the central Inner Mongolian steppe over the past two decades

Data-driven models for filling data gaps between GRACE and GRACE-FO were established. GRACE satellite-based detection of TWS decline in the central Inner Mongolian steppe. A framework for identifying and quantifying the human drivers of TWS was proposed. The dominant factor in TWS decline experienced a shift from climate- to human-driven. Drought characteristics and their effects on TWS were evaluated.