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›› 2014, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 939-947.

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A comparative study of narrow/general water resources vulnerability in Hexi Corridor region

LI  Zhi-fei1,MEN  Bao-hui1,ZHANG  Shi-feng2,MENG  Xiu-jing2,SUN  Bo-yang1   

  1. 1   Renewable Energy Institute, North China Electric Power University, Beijing  102206, China; 2   Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing  100101, China
  • Received:2013-09-07 Revised:2013-12-04 Online:2014-09-25

Abstract: Based on the status research of the concept of water resources vulnerability and three quantitative evaluations’ merits and demerits,this paper proposes two concepts,namely the Narrow Water Resources Vulnerability (NWRV) which means potential vulnerability and the General Water Resources Vulnerability (GWRV) which means actual vulnerability. Besides,this paper builds a system of certain physical mechanism water resources vulnerability indicator and utilizes the index of PS and PSR respectively to signify the [NWRV] and GWRV under the theory of Pressure—State—Response (PSR). In accordance with the system,this paper empirically studies the Hexi Corridor region,Gansu Province,China which has acute ecological environmental problems including Shule River Basin,Heihe River basin and Shiyang River Basin. The results of this study are as follows: In the first place,the NWRV and the GWRV of Hexi Corridor belong to the level of serious vulnerability with the data of 0.788 7 and 0.714 9 respectively in status quo year of 2010. Regarding the three basins,Shiyang River Basin has the most serious vulnerability,and then Shule River Basin and Black River Basin are followed. What’s more,in forecast year of 2020 with the most rigid water resource management,the vulnerability level of Hexi Corridor will be improved,especially for the Heihe River Basin which will become moderate vulnerability with the GWRV data of 0.586 9. However,Shule River Basin and Shiyang River Basin will remain the level of serious vulnerability and Shiyang River Basin will have the most serious vulnerability in the Hexi Corridor region. In addition,the data of GWRV of Hexi Corridor will decline 9.57% compared to 2010 and the data of GWRV denotes a downward trend as well as the data of NWRV,which demonstrates that the most rigid water resource management improves vulnerability of this region.  In the second place,water- producing coefficients and water-producing modulus of Hexi Corridor region are very vulnerable and belong to uncontrollable indictors.  Percentage of water resources development-use and quantity of per capita water resources are characterized by less variation degree,belonging to the indicators of less controlling degree.  Per capita water consumption of rural and urban residents,irrigation-saving rate and per capita GDP are light-degree vulnerable or invulnerable. Water consumptions of both per area and 104 Yuan GDP are of large variation,which are necessary to be strictly controlled.  In the third place,this paper points out the importance of scientific management.  Firstly,as far as Shule River Basin and Shiyang River Basin,the main measurements are to decrease in the rates of water resources development and use,to develop multiple water resource projects and to take water-transferring project to relieve the situation of water resource vulnerability. Secondly,Heihe River Basin needs to enforce the integrated management of water resource,taking the water consumption of up,middle and down reaches into account,improving water-saving irrigation rates and guaranteeing ecological water requirement of its down reaches.

Key words: narrow water resources vulnerability, general water resources vulnerability, pressure sate response, Hexi Corridor region, most rigid water resource management

CLC Number: 

  • TV213.4