Analysis based on water ecological footprint for sustainable utilization of water resources in the Guanzhong Plain, China

Abstract

Dynamically analysed the sustainable development of water resources in Guanzhong Plain by calculating the water ecological footprint, along with its depth and breadth, the water ecological carrying capacity and the ecological pressure index of each city from 2011 to 2016, and give some suggestions to improve the water use efficiency. The results showed that: (1) The average value about water ecological footprint of the Guanzhong Plain was 8.6558 × 104 hm2 and it was 3.20 about water ecological pressure index. So we could conclude that the water demand exceeds supply and the development of water resources sustainable exploration is low. (2) Affected by climate and rainfall, the water ecological footprint size of the Guanzhong Plain is in a down trend. Compared with other cities, Yangling County gets the lowest. (3) The result that the water ecological footprint depth of the Guanzhong Plain all higher than 1 shows that the water resources do not meet the need of its own requirements, and the sustainable utilization of water resources is low. However, among all the cities in the Guanzhong Plain (Xi’an, Baoji, Weinan, Xianyang, Tongchuan and Yangling County), Baoji has water ecological surplus, its water resources can basically meet the need of human own requirements, and water resources are also sustainable. Here we give some suggestions as follows: Guanzhong Plain can optimize the spatial allocation of water resources by inter-annual water transfer. For example, continue to improve facilities in the Hanjiang to Weihe River Project to meet water demand. Meanwhile, cities should also adjust their industrial structure according to their own water resource and distribution. On the basis of its own regional advantage, develop the economy so as to achieve the water resources sustainable utilization.