Comprehensive evaluation of water-use efficiency in China’s Huai river basin using a cloud–compound fuzzy matter element–entropy combined model

Abstract

We are facing the water shortage crisis. To realise sustainable development, we should improve water-use efficiency (WUE). In this study, a cloud–compound fuzzy matter element–entropy combined model was constructed to evaluate WUE. The Huai river basin (HRB) was selected as the study area. The cloud model was used to select some indices and build the comprehensive evaluation index system (CEIS), which included the overall, agricultural, industrial, domestic and environmental categories. The compound fuzzy matter element model was used to calculate the comprehensive indicators of WUE of the HRB and its regions. The weight of each index in the CEIS was determined using the entropy model. The results showed that WUE of the HRB had an upward trend on the whole because of the enhanced emphasis on water resources by the international and national governments. However, the regional difference was obvious. The WUE of Henan province was higher than that of Jiangsu province. The imbalance of regional WUE is an international problem. By analysing the difference among regions, research can provide a reference for the decision making of the water resources management department.