Abstract
Reasonable allocation of ecological water and water economics has become a significant challenge for the water resource decision-makers. In this study we propose an approach to assess the quantity of reasonable distribution of the river ecological basic flow using the economic value of its own ecological function. Firstly, water resource is divided into two parts: (i) water resources used for the river ecological basic flow, its economic value was calculated using the results of a reference method; and (ii) water resources used for economic water use, and we calculated its economic benefit; (iii) By using the principle of benefit maximization, we determine the most reasonable distribution of the river ecological basic flow. The Baoji section of the Weihe River, the largest tributary of the Yellow River, Northeast China, is used as a case-study to calculate the reasonable distribution of the river ecological basic flow. The health status of the river and disadvantages of the calculation model are also analyzed. Results indicate that the reasonable allocation of the river ecological basic flow in the Baoji section of the Weihe River is 33.83% of the amount of water resources in the Linjiacun hydrologic station. Based on the calculation of the different functions of the river ecological basic flow, the reasonable distribution can meet the basic environmental functions of rivers, and can result in healthy development of basin. Results also provide a quantitative basis for water resource management in relation to water distribution in the Weihe River.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acreman M, Dunbar MJ (2004) Defining environmental river flow requirements-a review. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 8(5):861–876
Ahiablame L, Sheshukov AY, Rahmani V et al (2017) Annual baseflow variations as influenced by climate variability and agricultural land use change in the Missouri River basin. J Hydrol 551:188–202
Armbruster JT (1976) An infiltration index useful in estimating low-flow characteristics of drainage basins. Journal of research U.S. Geological Survey 18(18):69–67
Calzadilla A, Rehdanz K, Tol RSJ et al (2010) The economic impact of more sustainable water use in agriculture: a computable general equilibrium analysis. J Hydrol 384(3):292–305
Chang J.X. Wang Y.M. Istanbulluoglu E, et al., 2015. Impact of climate change and human activities on runoff in the Weihe River Basin, China[J]. Quaternary International, 380–381
Cheng B, Li H, Yue S et al (2019) A conceptual decision-making for the ecological base flow of rivers considering the economic value of ecosystem services of rivers in water shortage area of Northwest China[J]. J Hydrol 578
Costanza R, D'arge R, Groot RD, Farber S et al (1998) The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387(1):3–15
Gao Z., 2018. Study on the losses and suitable level of Ecological Base flow protection in the main stream of Wei River within the Guanzhong District. Xi’an University of Technology.[in Chinese]
Gleick PH (1993) Water in crisis: a guide to the world's fresh water resources. Oxford University Press, New York
Gopal B (2016) A conceptual framework for environmental flows assessment based on ecosystem services and their economic valuation[J]. Ecosystem Services 21:53–58
Jowett IG (1997) Instream flow methods: a comparison of approaches. Regulated Rivers: Research &Management 13(2):115–127
Karim K, Gubbels ME, Goulter IC (1995) Review of determination of instream flow requirement with special application to Australia. Jawra Journal of the American Water Resources Association 31(6):1063–1077
Khan S, Ahmad A, Malano HM (2009) Managing irrigation demand to improve seasonality of river flows. Irrigation and Drainage 58(2):157–170
Molden D, 2007. Water for Food, water for Life: A comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture. London: Earthscan: 645–645
Nikghalb S, Shokoohi AP, Singh V et al (2016) Ecological regime versus minimum environmental flow:comparison of results for a river in a semi Mediterranean region[J]. Water Resour Manag 30(13):4969–4984
O’Shea DT (2011) Estimating minimum instream flow requirements for Minnesota streams from hydrologic data and watershed characteristics. N Am J Fish Manag 15(3):569–578
Pang AP, Sun T (2014) Bayesian networks for environmental flow decision-making and an application in the Yellow River estuary, China. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 18(5):1641–1651
Pang AP, Sun T, Yang ZF (2013) Economic compensation standard for irrigation processes to safeguard environmental flows in the Yellow River estuary, China. J Hydrol 482(482):129–138
Qureshi ME, Connor J, Kirby M, Mainuddin M (2007) Economic assessment of acquiring water for environmental flows in the Murray Basin. Aust J Agric Resour Econ 51(3):283–303
Sang LH, Chen XQ, Huang W (2006) Evolution of environmental flow methodologies for rivers. Adv Water Sci 17(5):754–760 [in Chinese]
Sheail 1984. Constraints on water-resource development in England and Wales: the concept and management of compensation flows, Journal of Environmental Management
Sisto NP (2009) Environmental flows for rivers and economic compensation for irrigators. J Environ Manag 90(2):1236–1240
Song JX, Xu ZX, Liu CM, Li HE (2007) Ecological and environmental instream flow requirements for the Wei River-the largest tributary of the Yellow River. Hydrol Process 21(8):1066–1073
Song JX, Xu ZX, Hui YH, Li HE, Li Q (2010) Instream flow requirements for sediment transport in the lower Weihe River. Hydrol Process 24(24):3547–3557
Tharme RE (2003) A global perspective on environmental flow assessment: emerging trends in the development and application of environmental flow methodologies for rivers. River Res Appl 19(5–6):397–441
Xie GD, Zhen L, Lu CX, Xiao Y, Chen C (2008) Expert knowledge based valuation method of ecosystem services in China. Journal of Natural Resources 23(5):911–919 [in Chinese]
Xu ZX, Peng DZ, Pang B et al (2016) Theoretical basis and calculation method for ecological base flow for rivers: case study in the Guanzhong reach of the Wei River. Science Press, Beijing, China [in Chinese]
Xue J, Gui D, Lei J et al (2017) A hybrid Bayesian network approach for trade-offs between environmental flows and agricultural water using dynamic discretization [J]. Adv Water Resour 110(2017):445–458
Yang XR, Wu GZ, Guan X et al (2015) Effects of woodland and other land types on ecosystem service function: a case study in Lianhua town, Yuelu district, Changsha city [J]. Journal of Central South University of Forestry & Technology 35(3):107–111 [in Chinese]
Yue S, Li H, Cheng B et al (2018) The value of Environmental Base flow in water-scarce basins: a case study of Wei River basin, Northwest China[J]. Water 10(7):848
Zhan C, Zeng S, Jiang S et al (2014) Integrated approach for partitioning the effect of climate change and human activities on surface runoff[J]. Water Resour Manag 28(11):3843–3858
Zhao Y, 2015. The temporal and spatial changes of the ecological base flow value of the Guanzhong section of main stream of Weihe. Xi’an: Xi’an University of Technology [in Chinese].
Acknowledgments
This research were supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51479162) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Key Program) (Grant No. 51939009). And we are very grateful to the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cheng, B., Li, H. & Yue, S. Quantity of Reasonable Distribution of River Ecological Basic Flow Considering the Economic Value of its Own Ecological Functions: a Case Study in the Baoji Section of the Weihe River, China. Water Resour Manage 34, 1111–1122 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-020-02487-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-020-02487-7