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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (11): 1939-1950.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.753

• Hydrology and Water Resoures • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Synergistic driving mechanisms of water ecological security in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin from 2003 to 2022

DAI Wenyuan1,2(), ZHANG Qinghua1, SHI Quan1, ZHANG Zhichao1, ZHANG Ruiping1, ZHENG Zhixiang2, ZHANG Rui3   

  1. 1. Environmental Law College, Gansu University of Political Science and Law, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Evidence Science Techniques Research and Application, Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
    3. College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu, China
  • Received:2024-12-10 Revised:2025-01-15 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-26

Abstract:

Water ecological security is essential for ensuring high-quality development and long-term stability within river basins. Clarifying the synergistic driving mechanisms of water ecological security is therefore critical for promoting sustainable development. This study constructs an evaluation index system for water ecological security based on a composite ecosystem model integrating economy, society, resources, environment, and ecology. Using the entropy weight-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, the water ecological security of the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin, China from 2003 to 2022 was assessed. Furthermore, the synergistic driving effects were analyzed using coupling degree and coupling coordination degree models, and the primary influencing factors were identified through geodetector analysis. The main findings are as follows: (1) Indicators including the proportion of agricultural irrigation water use, reclaimed water reuse volume, inflow volume, proportion of water use for forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery, year-end storage capacity of large reservoirs, and runoff-to-pollution ratio accounted for 47.8% of the cumulative contribution rate, making them the dominant factors influencing water ecological security in the study area. (2) From 2003 to 2022, the average comprehensive evaluation index of water ecological security in the Gansu section was 0.34, indicating an overall moderate level. Spatial disparities were evident, with the Longyangxia-Lanzhou section performing relatively well, the upstream Longyangxia section moderately, the Longmen-Sanmenxia section suboptimally, and the Lanzhou-Hekou Town section least favorably. The Lanzhou-Hekou Town section was identified as the key area requiring regulation, with the ecological subsystem being the primary limiting factor, reflecting the relatively weak ecological foundation of the basin. (3) From 2003 to 2022, the average coupling degree of water ecological security across the Gansu section was 0.986, suggesting strong mutual interactions among subsystems. The average coupling coordination degree was 0.581, indicating a basically coordinated state. (4) From 2003 to 2022, the degree of subsystem interaction in the upstream Longyangxia section was moderate, whereas other sections exhibited strong interactions. Nonetheless, all subsystems across the study area remained in a state of mild disharmony. These findings provide scientific evidence and practical guidance for advancing coordinated development and enhancing water ecological security in the Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin.

Key words: complex ecosystem, entropy weight-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, water ecological security, Gansu section of the Yellow River Basin, collaborative driving