Reflections and recommendations on allocation of water resources resilience and ecological recovery of the Northwest Inland River basin in China
Dong Zengchuan
Zhang Jitao
Zheng Ziqin
Wang Daoli
Abstract：The Northwest Inland River basin in China faces severe water scarcity,where prolonged over-exploitation and imbalanced usage have intensified water supply-demand conflicts,degraded ecosystems,and hindered economic and social development. Focusing on the strategic importance of this region and the current practices of river and lake recovery,this study analyzes the pressing water resource issues and challenges affecting high-quality development in the Northwest Inland River basin. It proposes adherence to the principles of "defining city,land,population,and production by water" and "defining ecological pattern by water" to identify the characteristics and flexibility of water use across socio-economic and ecological sectors. By scientifically establishing water-use priorities and regulatory strategies,a resilient water allocation model can be created to balance socio-economic growth with ecological recovery. Considering the spatial interconnections between upstream,midstream,and downstream areas,this study quantifies the supply-demand relationship of ecological services,optimizes the scale of artificial and natural oases,and defines suitable ecological configurations to enable optimal and efficient use of ecological water resources. The study further recommends establishing an "space-sky-ground-water-engine" integrated monitoring system and developing a digital twin platform for water resource management,aiming to develop new quality productive forces in water conservancy and enhance resilience and adaptability to external pressures of the Northwest Inland River basin.
Keywords：the Northwest Inland Riverresilient water resource allocationdefining citylandpopulationand production by waterdefining ecological pattern by waterrecovery of river and lake
Publication Date：2024-11-12
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 43-48 )