Arid Zone Research ›› 2021, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 39-47.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2021.01.05

• Water Resources and Utilization • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evaluation of ecological water security and analysis of driving factors in the lower Tarim River, China

LI Mengyi1,2(),DENG Mingjiang3,LING Hongbo4(),WANG Guangyan5,XU Shengwu5   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    2. Tianjin University School of Civil Engineering, Tianjin 300350, China
    3. Xinjiang Irtysh River Basin Development and Construction Management Bureau, Urumqi 830000, Xinjiang, China
    4. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
    5. Management Bureau of the Main Stream of Xinjiang Tarim River Basin, Korla 841000, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2020-05-03 Revised:2020-07-21 Online:2021-01-15 Published:2021-03-05
  • Contact: Hongbo LING E-mail:1724657017@qq.com;linghongbo0929@163.com

Abstract:

Due to the continuous strengthening of the unified water resource management programs in the Tarim River Basin, the ecological water transport in its lower reaches has increased, and periodic improvements in ecological protection have been achieved. However, there is a lack of scientific evaluation regarding the impact of strict water resource management program on the water ecological security status and changes. This study used principal component analysis and comprehensive coefficient method to evaluate the water ecological security status and reveal the changing characteristics of the driving factors affecting it. The analyses were based on the 2000 to 2017 index data of water quantity, groundwater depth of the monitored section, new Populus euphratica biomass, vegetation coverage, and drought indices in the lower reaches of the Tarim River. The results showed that from 2000 to 2017 the comprehensive water ecological security evaluation index increased from 39.1 to 84.7, and the ecological security level continuously improved, changing the area from a “moderate warning” to a “safe” area. Hydrological and vegetative influences are the two driving factors affecting downstream water ecological security; therefore, the volume of discharge, groundwater depth, and vegetation diversity significantly impact water ecological security. This study could provide an important scientific basis for optimizing the ecological water transport model in the lower reaches of the Tarim River.

Key words: Tarim River, downstream ecological safety assessment, principal component analysis, driving factor