Sustainable Use Of Water Resources Research Articles

Development and Application of an Environmental Education Tool (Board Game) for Teaching Integrated Resource Management of the Water Cycle on Coral Reef Islands

To solve resource issues on coral reef islands, an understanding of the water cycle is essential. Water resource management is intricately linked to diverse occupational industries and coral reef ecosystems on these islands. To effectively promote sustainable natural resource management, we developed a board game as an environmental education and communication tool for school students and people of all ages. The concept of the game is that “clean water will always be available if it is used properly”. The board game was designed based on an island with an underground freshwater lens as its main water resource. Role-playing was used to enhance islander livelihoods such as with vegetable and livestock farming, fishing, and tourism. Players, while working collaboratively, have to use the island’s groundwater adequately and conserve it for future generations. The game was developed through a transdisciplinary process in collaboration with scientists, administrative officers, civic groups, and students. Additionally, the board game was tested in diverse communities. In this study, we elaborated on the board game after it was played by students at an elementary school on Tarama Island. We observed that participants learned that cooperation is important for the sustainable use of water resources. Moreover, the participants proposed two methods for cooperation: joint discussion and ‘assembly decisions’. The board game has the potential to be used as an effective environmental education tool to promote sustainable water resource management on coral reef islands.

Research on Water Rights Trading and Pricing Model between Agriculture and Energy Development in Ningxia, China

The contradiction between the supply and demand of water resources has become increasingly prominent, and water rights trading is an effective approach to increase the efficiency of water resource utilization and allocation so as to achieve sustainable use of water resources. Current transferring cost and price in China are both underestimated, taking into account the construction and maintenance fee of water conservation project and the irrigation risk compensation fee but ignoring the renovation and reconstruction fee of water conservation projects, and the compensation fee for farmers. This paper takes assignee rights, assignee capacity, and compensation to third parties into comprehensive considerations in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where the contradictions between water, energy and food are most prominent in China. Tradable water use rights were analyzed based on a water transfer pricing model. The results show that there is an obvious negative correlation between shadow water price and water usage, and the shadow price of water resources is between 10.91 and 40.52 CNY/m3, which is an optimal solution under the constraint of water usage from 6.65 to 7.03 billion m3. The reasonable water transfer price is 10.91 CYN/m3, of which the earning of the agricultural assignor was 5.96 CNY/m3. This price guarantees the interests of the assignee and is also affordable to the assignee. This research provides a specific calculation method for the transfer pricing of water rights under non-market conditions, which is of important theoretically and has practical significance.

Modeling water inequality and water security: The role of water governance

Water Inequality, Water Security and Water Governance are fundamental parameters that affect the sustainable use of water resources. Through policy formulation and decision-making, Water Governance determines both Water Security and Water Inequality. Largely, where Water Inequality exists, Water Security is undermined through unsustainable water use practices that lead to pollution of water resources, conflicts, hoarding of water, and poor sanitation. Incidentally, the interconnectedness of Water Governance, Water Inequality and Water Security has not been investigated previously. This study modified the Gini coefficient and used a Logistics Growth of Water Resources Model (LGWR Model) to access Water Inequality and Water Security mathematically, and discussed the connected role of Water Governance. We tested the validity of both models by calculating the actual Water Inequality and Water Security of Ghana. We also discussed the implications of Water Inequality on Water Security and the overarching role of Water Governance. The results show that regional Water Inequality is widespread in some parts. The Volta region showed the highest Water Inequality (Gini index of 0.58), while the Central region showed the lowest (Gini index of 0.15). Water Security is moderately sustainable. The use of water resources is currently stress-free. It was estimated to maintain such status until 2132 ± 18 when Ghana will consume half of the current total water resources of 53.2 billion cubic meters. Effectively, Water Inequality is a threat to Water Security, results in poverty, under-development heightens tensions in water use, and causes instability. With proper Water Governance, Water Inequality can be eliminated through formulating and implementing approaches that engender equal allocation and sustainable use of water resources.

How does building healthy soils impact sustainable use of water resources in irrigated agriculture?

As blue water resources become increasingly scarce with more frequent droughts and overuse, irrigated agriculture faces significant challenges to reduce its water footprint while maintaining high levels of crop production. Building soil health has been touted as an important means of enhancing the resilience of agroecosystems to drought, mainly with a focus in rainfed systems reliant on green water through increases in infiltration and soil water storage. Yet, green water often contributes only a small fraction of the total crop water budget in irrigated agricultural regions. To scope the potential for how soil health management could impact water resources in irrigated systems, we review how soil health affects soil water flows, plant–soil–microbe interactions, and plant water capture and productive use. We assess how these effects could interact with irrigation management to help make green and blue water use more sustainable. We show how soil health management could (1) optimize green water availability (e.g., by increasing infiltration and soil water storage), (2) maximize productive water flows (e.g., by reducing evaporation and supporting crop growth), and (3) reduce blue water withdrawals (e.g., by minimizing the impacts of water stress on crop productivity). Quantifying the potential of soil health to improve water resource management will require research that focuses on outcomes for green and blue water provisioning and crop production under different irrigation and crop management strategies. Such information could be used to improve and parameterize finer scale crop, soil, and hydraulic models, which in turn must be linked with larger scale hydrologic models to address critical water-resources management questions at watershed or regional scales. While integrated soil health-water management strategies have considerable potential to conserve water—especially compared to irrigation technologies that enhance field-level water use efficiency but often increase regional water use—transitions to these strategies will depend on more than technical understanding and must include addressing interrelated structural and institutional barriers. By scoping a range of ways enhancing soil health could improve resilience to water limitations and identifying key research directions, we inform research and policy priorities aimed at adapting irrigated agriculture to an increasingly challenging future.

Comparison of CLDAS and Machine Learning Models for Reference Evapotranspiration Estimation under Limited Meteorological Data

The accurate calculation of reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is the fundamental basis for the sustainable use of water resources and drought assessment. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the second-generation China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System (CLDAS) and two simplified machine learning models to estimate ET0 when meteorological data are insufficient in China. The results show that, when a weather station lacks global solar radiation (Rs) data, the machine learning methods obtain better results in their estimation of ET0. However, when the meteorological station lacks relative humidity (RH) and 2 m wind speed (U2) data, using RHCLD and U2CLD from the CLDAS to estimate ET0 and to replace the meteorological station data obtains better results. When all the data from the meteorological station are missing, estimating ET0 using the CLDAS data still produces relevant results. In addition, the PM–CLDAS method (a calculation method based on the Penman–Monteith formula and using the CLDAS data) exhibits a relatively stable performance under different combinations of meteorological inputs, except in the southern humid tropical zone and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau zone.

Projected future changes in water availability and dry spells in Japan: Dynamic and thermodynamic climate impacts

Changes in water resources due to climate change are anticipated to impact a wide variety of sectors. This study investigated the impact of climate change on water availability and dry spells in Japan using large ensemble regional climate projections derived from the database for Policy Decision making for Future climate change (d4PDF). Self-organizing maps were applied to atmospheric circulation fields to study the linkages between water availability and weather patterns (WPs) during summer in the present and future climate simulations. The climate projections exhibited a reduced water availability defined by precipitation and evapotranspiration in the majority of Japan, consistent with increases in both frequency and duration of dry spells. The impacts of climate change on water availability vary by WP, with a significant increase in dry conditions under WPs with intensified climatological Pacific high over eastern Japan. Our results suggest that future changes in water availability can be attributed to changes in WP-related precipitation/evapotranspiration under warming conditions and in WP frequency in relation to the Pacific high, recognized as thermodynamic and dynamic effects of climate change, respectively. The decompositions of climate change impacts by WP analogs revealed that thermodynamic and dynamic effects account for approximately 80 and 20% of water availability changes, respectively. The yielded results are useful in the consideration of adaptive solutions that will ensure the sustainable use of water resources that balances economic and environmental demands.

Modeling the impact of awareness programmes on the sustainable use of water resources

Modeling the impact of awareness programmes on the sustainable use of water resources

Dimensions of digital transformation in the context of modern agriculture

Agribusinesses need to answer to societal growing concerns regarding the use of natural resources. In this context, the digital technologies described by Industry 4.0 appear as allies in the optimization of agribusiness. The use of these technologies is closely related to digital transformation, leading to this work's goal: to analyze the dimensions of Digital Transformation (DT) in the Modern Agricultural (MA) context. The methodology of this study was divided into three main parts. Firstly, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was performed with the help of the SciMAT® software. Then, a content analysis was performed using a semantic technique to define the dimensions a posteriori. Finally, a Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model using the RStudio® software was made to validate the results found in the semantic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, there are only five studies that define dimensions of DT in MA, however none of them used a robust SLR with content analysis. Two of these studies did empirical researches with specialists to define the dimensions, and the other three defined specifics dimensions only a priori. Our study brings as an innovation the definition of the dimensions a posteriori through the SLR. Additionally, no studies that validated the results using a LDA model were found. As a result of our studies, we have identified eight dimensions: Economical, Government, Sustainability; Infrastructure, Technological, Cooperation, Change, and People/Knowledge/Skills. The first three dimensions are more influenced by external factors, while external and internal factors influence the following three, and finally, the last two are more affected by internal factors. For each set of the dimensions listed, the main pillars/drivers/motivators and the main barriers/challenges/difficulties were identified. For example, for the mixed dimension, the first set can be the creation of regional centers that broadcast digital technology content. Regarding the second set, we can cite the difficulty in transforming data into useful information for the same dimension. The results serve as a foundation for both practical business actions and the academic field. They presented a robust theoretical basis for developing guidelines for agricultural management (of farms and other related startups and companies) and public policies to encourage the adoption and implementation of technological resources guided by sustainable development goals. The impacts can be viewed as: reduced production through sustainable and responsible production, assistance in the conscious and sustainable use of water resources, and sustainable actions to mitigate climate change. In conclusion, we highlight that the environment in which the framework will be applied should influence the emphasis given to each set of dimensions. For instance, legislators that seek to develop policies for DT in MA should pay greater attention to the external dimensions. In contrast, farmers that seek to implement DT should be more focused on the internal dimensions.

Hydrogeochemical characteristics and solute sources of groundwater in the Yuhengbei mining area, Shaanxi Province, China

In mining areas, groundwater resources are crucial for providing drinking water, as well as water needed for plant growth and mining. The Yuhengbei mining area is situated in arid and semi-arid areas in Western China. As there are a number of large-scale mining fields in the area, their exploitation may affect both the quality and quantity of groundwater. The hydraulic connection between aquifers directly determines whether deep coal mining activities affect water quality in shallow aquifers. This study investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics and the solute sources of groundwater (including surface water, Quaternary water, water from Cretaceous and Jurassic coal strata aquifer) in the Yuhengbei mining area. The study uses conventional, multivariate statistical analysis, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) analysis. The results suggest that all water samples were slightly alkaline, while the water from the shallow aquifers (surface water, Quaternary and Cretaceous aquifers) was predominantly of the HCO3-Ca type. Furthermore, the groundwater in the deep Jurassic aquifer was mostly of the SO4-Na type. Major ion and DOM concentrations appeared to decrease with increasing aquifer depth. Moreover, the groundwater circulation is regulated by natural processes. Namely, rock weathering was the main mechanism controlling the chemical constituents of groundwater in the shallow aquifers, while groundwater quality in deep aquifers was mainly governed by the dissolution of evaporation. Water–rock interaction and cation exchange were the main mechanisms controlling the chemical constituents of groundwater. The R-mode HCA revealed that natural processes controlled the chemical composition of groundwater, as well as that the evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by the nature of the geological structures and the local hydrogeological conditions. The TOC and UV254 results suggest that the coal strata aquifer had a weak hydraulic connection with the overlying aquifers. The DOM was mainly derived from autogenous biological sources. Based on the indicator values, the hydraulic connection between the deep aquifers and the upper shallow aquifers was weak overall. These results show that in this area, although drinking water and irrigation water come predominantly from shallow groundwater, mining activities temporarily have little impact on the quality of shallow groundwater. Better understanding hydrogeochemical characteristics and formation mechanisms will provide a technical basis for local groundwater management and support the sustainable use of water resources.

Assessment on spatiotemporal variations for minimum water consumption of vegetation in China based on constraint line method

Driven by climate change and artificial vegetation restoration, the actual vegetation water consumption (evapotranspiration) changes dramatically, in some relatively arid areas, the contradiction between growing vegetation water demand and limited terrestrial water resources becomes more prominent in recent years. For this reason, in actual ecological restoration or adjustment projects, clarifying the maximum vegetation coverage aiming at water balance is critical to maintain normal vegetation growth and sustainable use of water resources, and quantifying the minimum water consumption of vegetation (WCVmin) is a vital path to calculate this index. Currently, how to quantify WCVmin and identify its spatiotemporal variations remains unclear. Here we put forward an approach of quantifying WCVmin by using constraint line method and water balance principle, and we calculated the WCVmin of forest, shrubland and grassland and its spatiotemporal changes across China in 1990 and 2018, respectively. The results indicate: (1) our proposed method was proved to have robust spatiotemporal applicability; (2) compared with 1990, the average WCVmin rose by 7.46% in 2018, and the area that WCVmin enhanced accounts for 59.25%, in temperate continental and alpine climate zone, this proportion reached 81.76%; (3) meanwhile, the maximum plantable area of vegetation identified based on water balance (precipitation equals to WCVmin) reduced by 3.77%, which means it is increasingly difficult to implement sustainable vegetation restoration projects in relatively arid regions across China. This study is not only conducive to identify the regions where sustainable revegetation can be implemented under the constraint of water balance, but it also contributes to illustrate the evolution of the trade-off between vegetation water consumption and terrestrial water availability under changing circumstances.

Sustainability Assessment of Water Resources Use in 31 Provinces in China: A Combination Method of Entropy Weight and Cloud Model.

As a fundamental and strategic resource, water is a crucial controlling element of ecosystem and natural environment and it plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining and promoting the sustainable development of the economy and society. To achieve the sustainable development of society, the economy and ecology, it is necessary to assess and improve the sustainability of water resources use. Based on the Human–Resource–Nature approach, this paper constructed an indicator system for the sustainability assessment of water resources use (ISSAWRU) in China from three perspectives: water resources condition, socio-economy and ecological environment. A five-level hierarchy of assessment indicators was established. Based on the entropy weight method and the cloud model which took both fuzziness and randomness into account, this paper established an entropy-cloud-based assessment model for the sustainability assessment of water resources use in 31 provinces in China in 2019. The assessment results were compared with results obtained by the TOPSIS method to test their reliability. Finally, a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the sustainability of water resources use in China was conducted. According to the results, water resources per capita had a weighting of 0.306 and the greatest impact on the sustainable use of water resources. In addition, water structure, agricultural water use efficiency, forest coverage, and so on, had a significant impact on the sustainable use of water resources in China. The overall level of sustainability of water resources use in 31 provinces in China was not high—42% of the regions have unsustainable water resources use and there was a clear spatial distribution trend. The sustainability level of water resources use was higher in the southeast and economically developed regions. Therefore, each region should develop measures to guarantee water security based on the local conditions. This research helps policy makers to figure out the contributing factors associated with sustainability of water resources use and to set relevant rules and regulations to promote the use of water resources in a sustainable way.

Changes of total and artificial water bodies in inland China over the past three decades

• A New China’s artificial water bodies (WBs) dataset from 1987 to 2020 is developed. • The total area of WB in inland China increased by 38.8% from1987 to 2020. • The artificial area of WB in inland China increased by 32.3% from1987 to 2020. • Climate change dominates the WB increasing in the western basins of China. • Most WB changes are controlled by dam construction in the eastern basins of China. As an important surface water resource that can be directly used, water bodies (WBs) have a non-negligible impact on human life, production and maintaining ecological balance. Over the past few decades, how many WB have changed to different degrees due to climate change, dam construction and other factors? Using the high-resolution WB mask dataset and dam point data, the study distinguished artificial and natural WBs, calculated their spatiotemporal changes, and quantified climatic and human contributions in 17 basins in inland China during 1987–2020. The results show WBs exhibited a spatial pattern of contraction in the northeast and expansion in the southwest in inland China. The total, artificial and natural area of inland WBs in China increased by 38.8%, 32.3%, 40.8% from 1987 to 2020, respectively. In the western basins of China such as Inland rivers in Northern Tibet (61%), Upper Yellow River (61%), Upper Yangtze River (52%), Inland rivers in Xinjiang (51%), climate change dominates the increase of WBs. While in the eastern basins such as the Middle and Lower Yangtze River (60.84%), Lower Yangtze River (60.53%), and Songhua basins (52.66%), dam construction is the main reason for the area change in WBs. The analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of WBs in inland China in the past three decades and the quantification of climate and human contributions are of great significance for the rational development and sustainable use of water resources.

Developing an optimized groundwater exploitation prediction model based on the Harris hawk optimization algorithm for conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources.

Due to the lack of surface water and groundwater resources, especially in the agricultural parts, the simultaneous and sustainable use of water resources to supply water demands is essential. In this study, a conjunctive use optimization model is developed to minimize the shortage of water demand. This model is implemented for the Mahabad study area in northwestern Iran to improve the conditions of surface water and groundwater resources and the reclamation of Urmia Lake. For this purpose, the current research is accomplished in three parts. At first, the Mahabad aquifer is numerically simulated to investigate the aquifer conditions. In the second part, the optimized model of conjunctive use obtained by the Harris hawk optimization (HHO) algorithm is investigated over a 20-year period in the study area. In the last part of this research, seven scenarios are developed to predict the optimized groundwater exploitation (OGE) using the results of HHO, meteorological data, and some input information on the dam reservoir. Then, the OGE values are predicted using the artificial neural network (ANN) and ANN-HHO machine learning models for the scenarios. The results showed that the scenario that includes all input variables and the ANN-HHO model outperformed other models. Furthermore, the HHO algorithm provides suitable allocation of the surface water and groundwater resources in optimized conjunctive use and also improves the performance of ANN in predicting the OGE values. The findings of this study also show that groundwater resources can be more applied to supply water demand, and in contrast, surface water resources can be used for supplying downstream environmental demands and reclamation of Urmia Lake.

Determining Irrigation Requirements of Extensive Crops Using the Typical Meteorological Year Adjusted to the Growing Cycle Period

In the Castilla-La Mancha (CLM, Spain) region, most of the irrigated area is managed by two different strategies in which the previously defined irrigation requirements of crops affect both the distribution of crops and the sustainable management of groundwater resources. Thus, in the western Mancha system, the amount of irrigation water per farm is limited, while in the eastern Mancha system the irrigable area per farm is limited. Therefore, the use of average irrigation requirements in these areas may cause yield drops in dry years and the overuse of groundwater. Consequently, the main aim was to achieve a better approach to the irrigation requirements of the main extensive crops in CLM (maize (Zea mays L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)) to help farmers and water authorities achieve higher yields and a more sustainable use of water resources. The typical meteorological year (TMY) methodology combined with the MOPECO model were used to: (1) determine the distribution of wet, intermediate, and dry years during the growing cycle of the four selected crops; (2) determine the average (AVE) and typical irrigation requirements of these crops for the complete 70 years series (TMYG) or the duration of the crop cycle (TMYC), and under wet (TMYW), intermediate (TMYI), and dry (TMYD) year conditions; and (3) recommend the irrigation depths to be used for the management of farms and water bodies. The results show that the number of wet, intermediate, and dry years depends on the growing cycle of the crop considered, with wet years being unusual, although they notably increase the average rainfall in the area. The irrigation requirements for the average year were between 20.4 and 9.0% lower than the average irrigation requirements calculated for the four studied crops during the 70 years of the series. For western Mancha farmers the recommended irrigation depth for dry years and most profitable crops (garlic and onion) is the one calculated for the driest year of the series, while for the rest of the years and crops is that estimated by the global dry TMY (TMYGD). For eastern Mancha farmers the recommended irrigation depths are also those estimated by the TMYGD.

Morpho-Sedimentary Constraints in the Groundwater Dynamics of Low-Lying Coastal Area: The Southern Margin of the Venice Lagoon, Italy

Complex freshwater–saltwater exchanges characterize most Holocene groundwater aquifers in low-lying coastal plains around the world, particularly in mechanically drained territories. This is due to the combination of several factors that control groundwater dynamics, including the high variability of the Holocene coastal deposits that host the shallow aquifers and the water management practices. The relationships between the stratal architecture of sedimentary deposits and the vertical changes in the salinity of the phreatic aquifer are poorly studied although they represent an issue of primary importance for a sustainable use of water resources and for agriculture. This research work is focused on the influence of sedimentary constraints, i.e., stratigraphic discontinuities and related changes in permeability in shaping salinity stratification into the unconfined aquifer at the southern margin of the Venice lagoon (Italy). Nine sites have been investigated by collecting sediment cores for facies analysis and monitoring water electrical conductivity in piezometric wells. The results show that buried channelized sandy deposits can enhance salinity mitigation of the phreatic aquifer in conjunction with precipitations and sufficient freshwater supply from nearby rivers and irrigation channels. Our analyses also reveal that the differences in stratigraphic architecture of the upper 10 m of the subsoil determine different fresh–saltwater dynamics of the phreatic aquifer. In particular, three possible behaviors can occur: (i) where the subsurface is characterized by the presence of a thick, up to 5 m, paleochannel, a freshwater lens is always present in the most surficial part of the phreatic aquifer; (ii) where the subsurface is composed by fine-grained sediments of marsh and lagoon paleo-environment, the phreatic aquifer tends to be salt-contaminated over its entire thickness; (iii) where the subsurface contains thin, up to 2–3 m, paleochannel deposits, the fresh–saltwater dynamics of the most surficial part of the phreatic aquifer varies more during the year, as a result of seasonal precipitation trend. The provided characterization of saltwater dynamics represents the basis for planning mitigation measures to improve the farmland productivity of the Venetian coastal plains.

Evaluation of Sustainable Water Resource Use in the Tarim River Basin Based on Water Footprint

Quantifying water use for agricultural production and accurate evaluation is important for achieving a balance between water supply and demand and sustainable use, especially in arid regions. This study quantifies the water footprint of food production in the Tarim River Basin (TRB) from 2000 to 2019 by conducting a sustainability evaluation using both the water footprint and DPSIR model as a theoretical framework, and by analyzing spatial and temporal changes. The results show that the water footprint of the TRB increased from 2.15 m3/kg to 2.86 m3/kg per unit during the study period. The average annual weighted water footprint of the basin is 2.59 m3/kg, of which 2.41 m3/kg is blue water and 0.18 m3/kg is green water. Blue water inputs contribute more than 94% to food production annually. Furthermore, although the level of sustainable water use increased, its score is low, with the most prominent stress assessment value indicating poor regional water use. Prior to 2010, the Tarim River Basin region’s sustainability was less than 0.4, indicating that water resources were at or below the level of basic unsustainability. By 2019, however, the sustainability of areas with better water use was greater than 0.4., and the sustainability of 80% of the region was above 0.2. In the future, we need to reduce the crop water footprint and improve water use efficiency to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and avoid further pressure on water use.

Ecological and environmental effects of land-use changes in the Loess Plateau of China

<p indent="0mm">The Loess Plateau (LP) is a typical ecologically fragile area in China, with severe water shortage and soil erosion. Understanding the interactions between land use structure and ecological processes is the basis for effective soil and water conservation. Since the implementation of large-scale vegetation restoration programs, changes in carbon and water services, as well as trade-offs in these services have become a new scientific challenge in this region. A comprehensive analytical paradigm of “pattern–process–service” was developed by our research group to determine the ecological and environmental effects of land-use changes and support ecological restoration practices. First, by combining landscape pattern, ecological process, and scale, we studied the effects of land-use changes on soil moisture, nutrients, and erosion at multiple spatial scales of plot, transect, catchment, and region, and illustrated the mechanisms of the interactions between land-use structure and ecological processes in the LP systematically. These works have revealed the relationships among ecosystem structure, land-use structure, vegetation functional traits, vegetation biomass, ecological processes (e.g., hydrological processes and nutrient cycling) and ecosystem services. They have also identified the key roles of soil water content and understory plant diversity in ecosystem service maintenance in dryland ecosystems. Second, by linking ecological processes and ecosystem services, we studied the formation and interaction mechanisms of ecosystem services. A sediment attribution diagnostic method focusing on soil retention services was developed to diagnose the contributions of multiple factors to changes in the sediment loads of rivers. Application of this method quantitatively revealed the drivers (climate change, vegetation restoration, and ecological engineering) and mechanisms underlying the drastic reduction in the sediment load of the Yellow River over the past <sc>60 years.</sc> The trade-off between carbon sequestration and water yield was quantitatively revealed, and its temporal and spatial variations during vegetation restoration were detected. The threshold of forest restoration potential within the limit of annual precipitation, as well as the turning point from soil carbon source to soil carbon sink following farmland abandonment, was identified. By considering water consumption for both vegetation growth and socioeconomic uses, a quantitative coupling analysis framework for the sustainable use of water resources in the natural–social–economic system of the LP was constructed, and regional water-resource carrying capacities for vegetation restoration in the region under various scenarios were determined; the results suggest that current vegetation restoration is approaching sustainable water resource limits. Third, on the basis of an understanding of the relationships between ecosystem processes and services at multiple scales, a spatially explicit assessment and optimization tool for regional ecosystem services was developed to reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem services on the LP, including water yield, soil retention, carbon sequestration, and grain production. By combining scenario analysis and ecosystem service quantification models with a spatial optimization algorithm, this new decision-supporting tool is capable of spatially optimizing multiple ecosystem services. This has contributed crucially to the advancement of integrated research into regional ecosystem services with the aim of quantifying, modeling, and supporting the rational planning and effective implementation of ecological projects. These findings have promoted the development of physical geography from qualitative structure description to quantitative process research. They have also led ecosystem services research into ecological processes and mechanisms and their comprehensive integration and have provided a key scientific basis for ecological restoration of the LP.

A brief review on water resources and climate change

Human-caused climate change poses a growing threat to water resources that are valuable today and for the future. In addition, climate change is thought to have negative impacts on food, economy, natural resources and sustainability worldwide. In this article, the relationship between water resources and climate change is discussed and the importance of water is emphasized. In addition, recommendations are made for the sustainable use of water resources.

Water Resource Accounting Modeling and Analysis Adapting to the Development of Market Economy under the Sustainable Development Strategy of Big Data

As the world’s average population continues to increase, residents’ demand for water resources continues to increase. Traditional water resource management models and accounting methods have been unable to adapt to the development of the era of big data. We urgently need to establish a new accounting model to realize the sustainable use of water resources under the sustainable development strategy. Based on the above situation, starting from the development of water resource management and market economy, this paper models and analyzes the water resource accounting of sustainable development strategies in the big data environment. First of all, according to the needs of fine accounting of water resources, we start with the microcontrol principle of accounting. We take the basic principles of the accounting identity and responsibility right generation system as the basic method of water resource accounting. This paper proposes an accounting system framework for water resource accounting accounts and related statements. In the sustainable development strategy, the impact of human wading activities on water resources and ecological environment is discussed. Finally, the application of water basin accounting is analyzed in detail. The results show that under the sustainable development strategy, the water resource accounting model integrated into the market economy development can improve the utilization rate of modern water resources and further improve and realize the concept of sustainable development.

Limitation of Water Footprint Sustainability Assessment: A Review

Water is nature resource that is essential for all life, for the functioning of ecosystems, and also for the human society. Sustainable use of water resource is important for sustainable development of human society. Water scarcity can lead to conflicts between different water users. Therefore, several sustainability assessment tools were developed in recent years. Water Footprint Sustainability Assessment, which is a part of Water Footprint Assessment methodology, is one of them. Each sustainability assessment tool has its own limitations. It is important to know these limitations because incorrect application of sustainability assessment can lead to erroneous or improper decisions. In this article, risks connected to the Water Footprint Sustainability Assessment are reviewed and discussed in several examples. Individual parts are focused on blue, green, and grey water sustainability assessment. The article contributes to the scientific debate on limits of Water Footprint Sustainability Assessment as the key element of everyday applications, identification of needs of future research and subsequent development of new or improved procedures of sustainability assessment in the framework of Water Footprint Assessment.&#x0D; Keywords: volumetric water footprint; sustainability assessment; sustainable development; limitation of methodology