Assessment of ecological water scarcity in China

Abstract

The increasing water use for human activities is threatening the health of ecosystems. Most previous studies on water scarcity mainly centered on human society. In this study, we developed a new indicator, ecological water scarcity (WSeco), that considers water quantity, water quality, and environmental flow requirements. WSeco was assessed at the provincial level in China. The results show that northern China suffered more severe WSeco than southern China. In addition, the WSeco level decreased in 65% of provinces from 2016 to 2019, implying the great achievement of China’s effort in saving water and reducing pollution. The main driving factor of WSeco in most provinces was pollution rather than human water use. The findings of this study demonstrate the spatial distribution, temporal dynamics, and driving factors of WSeco in China. The results can be used to guide efforts for ecological restoration and sustainable water management in different regions.