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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 August 2024) | Viewed by 17633

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hongrui Wang

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Guest Editor

College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Interests: water resource system analysis; water conservancy economy; water–energy–food nexus; dual-carbon technology; resilience; environmental planning and evaluation

Dr. Yafeng Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Science, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
Interests: water resource uncertainty; modeling; water resource spatial equilibrium; resilience regulation; water–energy–food nexus; dual-carbon technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is a global consensus that a shortage of water resources restricts the sustainable development of economy and society. The consequent degradation of water environments and the destruction of water ecosystems have created unprecedented challenges for human living environments. Today, many factors, such as the uneven distribution of water resources, the low utilization efficiency of water resources, insufficient awareness around saving water, and insufficient resilience of water resource systems, have caused serious environmental problems. The sustainable use of water resources and environmental restoration have become the most important issues that every country must solve.

With the development of economy and society, water resources are being implemented into various sectors. A multi-dimensional complex network structure has been formed that involves water resources, land use, energy development, food security, carbon emissions, and the ecological environment. From the point of view of systems science, it is necessary to maintain the coordination and competition balance among subsystems. From the perspective of sociology, it is necessary to ensure the sustainable development and utilization of water resources in order to create maximum social efficiency and ensure social security. From the perspective of environmental science, it is necessary to formulate practical and effective environmental policies to promote the high-quality development of the whole society. Water resources involve every aspect of economic and social development; thus, water resource system analysis is closely related to environmental health and social sustainable development.

Therefore, it is necessary to carry out further studies from the perspective of complex system analyses and to evaluate water resources to provide support for the formulation and implementation of environmental policies, as well as to promote the high-quality development of economic society. In this context, researchers are invited to contribute to this Special Issue entitled, “Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies”.

Original field and experimental research papers, review papers and case studies are invited for submission.

Prof. Dr. Hongrui Wang
Dr. Yafeng Yang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

water resource utilization efficiency
complex network analysis for water resources
water–energy–food nexus
water–land–energy–carbon
water resource spatial equilibrium
resilience
water environmental assessment
environmental policy
high-quality development
modeling

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Top-Down Water Regulation Affects the Financial Performance of Enterprises: The River Chief System in China as an Example

by Peipei Zhao, Jiawen Li and Xin Luo

Water 2024, 16(19), 2827; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192827 - 5 Oct 2024

Viewed by 765

Abstract

As a top-down type of water regulation, the River Chief System (RCS) in China has effectively enhanced urban water quality. Simultaneously, environmental control significantly impacts the financial performance of enterprises. In recent years, the tension between environmental protection and economic development has escalated, underscoring the undeniable economic ramifications of stringent water regulations. Enterprises are the fundamental agents of economic activities and environmental impact, thus becoming the primary targets of water environment regulatory policies. This study adopts the differences-in-differences (DID) method and uses a sample of listed enterprises in the Yangtze River Economic Belt region from 2010 to 2021 to study the impact of the RCS on the financial performance of enterprises. The results show that the RCS harms the financial performance of enterprises. This impact primarily manifests through increased environmental protection investments. Conversely, the RCS does not have a positive influence on enterprises’ technological innovation. This indicates the challenge of stringent top-down environmental regulations in stimulating short-term technological advancements and enhancing enterprise performance. Moreover, the adverse effects of the RCS on financial performance are notably pronounced for non-state-owned enterprises and those located in the upper Yangtze River Economic Belt. This suggests that private enterprises and those in less-developed regions exhibit lower resilience to top-down environmental regulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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17 pages, 8083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Ground Subsidence Induced by Groundwater Mining Using Three-Dimensional Variable-Parameter Fully Coupled Simulation

by Jingjing Du, Yan Zhang, Zujiang Luo and Chenghang Zhang

Water 2024, 16(17), 2487; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172487 - 1 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1001

Abstract

In order to predict the ground settlement in a scientific, intuitive, and simple way, based on the theory of Bio-consolidation, a three-dimensional fluid-solid coupled numerical calculation programme FGS-3D for ground settlement was compiled by using the Fortran 95 language, and a front-end operation platform was developed by using Microsoft VisualBasic, so that a three-dimensional variable-parameter fully coupled viscoelastic-plastic model of ground settlement was constructed using the city of Yancheng as an example, and the development of ground settlement and horizontal displacement changes from 2021 to 2030 were predicted. The results show that the three-dimensional fully coupled finite-element numerical model of building load, groundwater seepage, and soil deformation established by the above computer development program can directly create a hydrogeological conceptual model of groundwater mining and predict ground settlement, so as to achieve the visualisation of the three-dimensional seepage of groundwater and the fully coupled simulation of ground subsidence in the whole process of groundwater mining. Under the joint action of construction load and groundwater mining, the water level of the aquifer in Yancheng City rises by 1.26 m on average in the main groundwater mining area of the group III pressurised aquifer, forming two smaller landing funnels, and the lowest water level of the two landing funnels is −15 m. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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13 pages, 14772 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Participation of Local Communities in the Management of Post-Mine Areas in Cities

by Iwona Józefowicz, Hanna Michniewicz-Ankiersztajn and Mirosław Rurek

Water 2024, 16(14), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16142007 - 15 Jul 2024

Viewed by 671

Abstract

The management of post-mining reservoirs as part of urban blue infrastructure is linked to the implementation of pro-environmental policies at different levels (from local–municipal to European). Local communities, as beneficiaries of measures taken by city authorities, recognise the need for active participation in decision-making processes. They engage in making decisions on blue spaces in urban areas. These include public and natural watercourses and their surroundings, but also water-filled basins of various origins, including post-mining pits. This paper strives to answer how local communities are involved in activities for developing and managing post-mine areas filled with water within city limits. The methods used (including field observation, spatial analyses, and desk research) allowed us to classify post-mining pits according to their functions and the degree of social participation in their development process. The analysed post-mining pits were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of pit reservoirs transformed with the participation of local inhabitants into recreational grounds. The second comprised reservoirs transformed under local zoning plans (with residents consulted) expected to ultimately prop up the city’s green infrastructure. In turn, the third group consists of quasi-natural reservoirs deemed natural enclaves by city residents. The environmental analysis showed that pits were naturalised. One of them was subject to legal protection on account of biodiversity. Post-mine areas in Bydgoszcz play an important environmental role, and some are integral recreational sites, e.g., the Balaton reservoir. They materially affect the inhabitants’ daily contact with nature, which improves life quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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22 pages, 3039 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness Analysis and Individual Behavior Simulation of Water Rights Trading Policy to Alleviate Water Poverty

by Kai Zhang, Yulu Chen, Meiyi Zong and Haishu Lu

Water 2024, 16(14), 1979; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16141979 - 12 Jul 2024

Viewed by 691

Abstract

The year 2023 will mark the tenth year of China’s pilot water rights program, with China’s overall water use efficiency improving and the water-related industry continuing to grow. Due to the uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water resources in China, there still exists the real problem of resource-type water shortage and structural water shortage, in which the problem of water poverty is particularly prominent. In order to alleviate water poverty, this paper constructs a water poverty indicator system and measures it, uses a double difference model to study whether the water trading policy is effective in alleviating water poverty, and establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model to simulate the behavioral strategies of the relevant stakeholders in water trading. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) the degree of water poverty in China’s 31 provinces and municipalities from 2008 to 2022 shows a decreasing trend in general, but there are still regional differences; (2) the pilot policy of water rights trading effectively alleviates the situation of water poverty in China, and the alleviation effect is especially obvious for the western region; (3) The degree of government subsidy, the price of water rights trading, the degree of government punishment for non-trading behavior, and the extra income gained from water rights trading all affect the degree of water poverty of both parties to the water rights trading. Therefore, we should continue to improve the water rights trading platform, promote the construction of a diversified water use market, and strengthen the monitoring, measurement and supervision of water rights trading. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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20 pages, 4722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Footprint and Water Sustainability of Agroindustrial Avocado Production in a Warm Tropical Climate Municipality: A Case Study in the Michoacan Avocado Belt in Central México

by Diana J. Fuerte-Velázquez and Alberto Gómez-Tagle

Water 2024, 16(12), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16121719 - 17 Jun 2024

Viewed by 2635

Abstract

Water is a fundamental resource for ecosystems, humans, and the development of all economic sectors; it is necessary to identify and evaluate its environmental pressures and impacts. The water footprint (WF) is an appropriate indicator for the consumption of water used to produce a product. The present study uses this tool to evaluate the green and blue water requirements and the sustainability of irrigation water use for agroindustrial avocado production in Ziracuaretiro, Michoacán (2012–2021). Our analysis was based on aggregating weather and soil data at the municipal level and official government databases of avocado cultivated surface, fruit production, and water rights concessions. The analysis considers the homogeneity of information throughout the study area. We estimated that rainfed plantations require 839.03 m³/ton, and irrigated plantations require 2355.80 m³/ton, with an average of 1597.47 m³/ton. In addition, we determined that avocado cultivation can demand up to 124.3% of agricultural water concessions in this municipality. Moreover, the WF estimates and the analysis indicate that such studies are fundamental for decision-makers to develop and implement water use efficiency strategies and shows the need for further research related to the water consumption of avocado as a crop at more detailed scales. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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21 pages, 8041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synchronized Structure and Teleconnection Patterns of Meteorological Drought Events over the Yangtze River Basin, China

by Lei Liu, Chao Gao, Zhanliang Zhu, Xiongpeng Tang, Dongjie Zhang and Silong Zhang

Water 2023, 15(21), 3707; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15213707 - 24 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1453

Abstract

Investigating the synchronized structure and teleconnection patterns of meteorological drought events (MDEs) contributes to elucidating drought’s evolution. In this study, the CN05.1 gridded meteorological dataset from 1961 to 2021 was utilized to calculate the 3-month standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI-3) for each grid in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB). Based on these SPEI-3 series, the grid-based MDEs were then extracted. Subsequently, event synchronization and complex networks were employed to construct the MDE synchronized network over the YRB. This network was used to identify the MDEs’ topological structure, synchronized subregions, and representative grids. Finally, the MDE characteristics and MDE teleconnection patterns of individual subregions were investigated. The results of the MDE topological structure show that the northeastern portion of the YRB tends to experience widespread MDEs, while specific areas in the upper reaches are prone to localized MDEs. Synchronous MDEs mainly propagate along the central pathway and the eastern pathway, which display relatively low MDE spatial coherence. The YRB is partitioned into eight MDE synchronized subregions, each exhibiting distinct characteristics in terms of the frequency, duration, total severity, and peak of MDEs, as well as MDE temporal frequency distributions. Among all teleconnection factors, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) exerts a strong influence on MDEs in all subregions, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) shows a significant association with MDEs in all subregions except for Subregion 3 in the southeast, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) displays a significant influence on MDEs in the southern subregions of the YRB, and the Arctic Oscillation (AO) has a more pronounced influence on MDEs in the northern subregions. This study provides valuable insights on drought’s evolution within the YRB and offers guidance to policymakers for advanced preventive measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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15 pages, 3139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Land—Use Composition and Landscape Pattern on Water Quality at Different Spatial Scales in the Dan River Basin, Qin Ling Mountains

by Yuanyuan Zhang, Yan Zhao, Huiwen Zhang, Jing Cao, Jingshu Chen, Cuicui Su and Yiping Chen

Water 2023, 15(18), 3276; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183276 - 16 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1364

Abstract

To study the impact of land—use structure and landscape pattern on water quality at different spatial scales in the Dan River Basin (Qin Ling Mountains, China), water samples from 21 sites along the Dan River were collected in 2022 during the dry and wet seasons, and nine water quality indices were tested. Land—use composition and landscape pattern indices at riverine reach, riparian, and sub—basin were obtained, and correlation analysis and redundancy analysis (RDA) were used to determine the relationship with water quality. The results are as follows. (1) Water quality in the Dan River is better in the wet season than in the dry season; the main pollutants are total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). (2) The impact of land—use composition and landscape pattern on water quality has a scale effect; riverine reach can best explain the water quality. (3) Agricultural land and forest have the greatest impacts on water quality; agricultural land and construction land aggravate the deterioration of water quality, while forest, grassland, and water area have positive effects on water quality. The largest patch index (LPI) and contagion index (CONTAG) were positively correlated with pollutants, while Patch richness density (PRD), Patch shape (PD), Shannon’s diversity index (SHDI), and landscape shape index (LSI) were negatively correlated with pollutants, indicating that with an increase in the impact of human activities on landscapes, the degree of fragmentation decreases patch richness, landscape shape tends to be simplified, and water pollution is eventually aggravated. Land planners should focus on optimizing the land—use structure and landscape pattern to increase the diversity of the landscape. Therefore, strict environmental regulations must be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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18 pages, 3351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interprovincial Virtual Water-Energy Flow and Its Network Structure Resilience in Yangtze River Economic Belt

by Yafeng Yang, Xiaoxiao Zhou, Ru Zhang, Jijun Xu and Hongrui Wang

Water 2023, 15(17), 3069; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173069 - 27 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1321

Abstract

Water and energy are essential resources that flow between different regions in economic activities, forming a complex network that profoundly impacts sustainable development. Revealing network structural resilience allows for the identification of weak links, thus enhancing the capacity for sustainable development. This study employs a resilience-based method to examine changes in virtual water-energy transfers, combining input–output tables and total resource consumption coefficients (TRCC) to investigate the structural resilience of the virtual water-energy network. Case studies were conducted in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) in 2012 and 2017. The results show that the virtual water flow rate decreased by 28.66%, while that of virtual energy increased by 4.88% in YEB. The virtual energy network’s structural resilience is better than that of the virtual water network and shows significant improvement in later periods. The virtual water network structure has a clear hierarchical structure, while the virtual energy network structure is relatively flat. The transmission and connectivity of the two networks do not differ significantly, but the virtual energy network’s transmission is superior to that of the virtual water network. There is a significant improvement in the virtual energy network’s agglomeration in the later stages, while there is no significant change in the virtual water contact network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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17 pages, 4827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction and Application of a Water Resources Spatial Equilibrium Model: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

by Ziyang Zhao, Yihui Cai and Yafeng Yang

Water 2023, 15(16), 2984; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15162984 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1463

Abstract

The Yangtze River Economic Belt, as crucial component of China’s “T-shaped” strategy for territorial development and economic layout, has been challenged by the unbalanced spatial distribution of water resources, which has seriously affected high-quality development in harmony with the social economy and ecological environmental protection. In this study, we aim to enhance the conceptual definition of water resource spatial equilibrium. Additionally, we propose a water resource spatial equilibrium evaluation model based on a variable set and partial connection number. This model effectively addresses the limitations of traditional methods by incorporating fuzzy indices and dynamic information, which have previously been overlooked. The spatiotemporal characteristics and future evolutionary trend of water resource spatial equilibrium were analyzed in 11 provinces and 110 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 1999 to 2018. The results showed that the conceptual definition of water resource spatial equilibrium involves the water resource endowment, water resource development, water resource utilization, water resource supply and demand, water resource matching, and water resource protection. The water resource spatial equilibrium in the 11 provinces gradually improved following a temporal trend; in terms of the spatial trend, the south was better than the north and the west was better than the east. These provinces were sorted as follows: Yunnan > Sichuan > Zhejiang > Jiangxi > Hunan Province > Guizhou > Hubei > Chongqing > Anhui > Jiangsu > Shanghai. The evolutionary trend increased except in Yunnan. The water resource spatial equilibrium of the 110 cities showed that the spatial trends of the three major urban agglomerations were much better than in the other regions, and the temporal trend steadily improved. The 11 provinces and 110 cities could be divided into three and five categories, respectively, according to their spatiotemporal trends. City-scale research on water resource spatial equilibrium can effectively identify and optimize the control area compared with using a provincial scale. When the control targets were set to 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, the proportion of the administrative area based on the city scale decreased by 1.20%, 4.99%, 10.52%, and 19.05%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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15 pages, 3180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on an Equilibrium Water Price System Based on Cooperative Game Technology

by Shiwu Wang, Lei Fu, Hongxi Peng, Junmin Wang, Yian Hua and Zihan Gui

Water 2023, 15(13), 2354; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132354 - 25 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1680

Abstract

In this study, the theory of equilibrium water prices is constructed and practiced based on previous research on cooperative game technology and the water price system. The equilibrium water price utilized in this study emphasized solving the unbalanced and unsustainable water supply system, including the reclaimed water resources and the current water price used in numerous Chinese cities. Safety, affordability, and sustainability become the key factors of the equilibrium water price system, which is operated and analyzed in a typical city in southeastern China. The cooperative game model of equilibrium water price is solved by game technology, considering various factors such as the price strategy, the water supply quantity, and the local water demand. The practical application shows that the theoretical system can effectively solve the problem of water price formation mechanisms after the unified allocation of different types of water resources. It not only enhances the enthusiasm and initiative of the public in the utilization of reclaimed water, but also plays an important role in the rational utilization of multiple water resources for different purposes by introducing a reasonable water price ratio and local water resource allocation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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Review

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23 pages, 1745 KiB

Open AccessReview

Morbidity and Water Quality: A Review with a Case Study in Tonosí, Panama

by Natasha A. Gómez Zanetti, Jorge E. Olmos Guevara and Yazmin L. Mack-Vergara

Water 2024, 16(19), 2728; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16192728 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 807

Abstract

Water quality concerns the physical, chemical, and biological factors that could negatively impact human health through its consumption, potentially causing infectious and chronic diseases due to immediate or prolonged exposure. In this context, the objective of this study is to identify diseases that are correlated with the quality of drinking water according to the literature. A systematic review was carried out considering academic and scientific documents from the last 6 years, including peer-reviewed research articles, books, and technical documents, such as standards and regulations related to public health and water quality. Subsequently, these results were applied to a case study from Tonosí (a district in Panama), where a drinking water quality assessment project was developed over the past two years including physicochemical, biological, inorganic chemical, and organic chemical analyses on drinking water during the rainy and dry seasons. Forty-five documents were obtained from the literature review and are presented in tables relating to diseases and water quality parameters. Based on the drinking water quality assessment results from Tonosí, the levels above and below the permissible range—according to the DGNTI-COPANIT 21-2019 Technical Regulation adopted by Panama as a drinking water quality standard—and the diseases associated with the parameters evaluated (in accordance with the literature review) are presented. The results show that there is a possible relationship between some of the water quality parameters and cases of gastrointestinal diseases in the area; however, more in-depth research and statistics at the national level are needed on the health of the population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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22 pages, 3477 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of the Water–Land–Food–Carbon Nexus Focused on Regional Low-Carbon and High-Quality Agricultural Development

by Caiyun Deng, Tianhe Xu, Li Zhang, Siqi Yang, Huiying Yin, Jian Guo, Lulu Si, Ran Kang and Hermann Josef Kaufmann

Water 2024, 16(13), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131770 - 21 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1239

Abstract

To overcome the multiple challenges of water scarcity, agricultural land conversion, food security, and carbon emissions, an optimal collaborative management scheme for food production is urgently needed, especially in high food-production and food-consumption countries such as China. The water–land–food–carbon (WLFC) nexus provides a new perspective, but its interactions are complex, dynamic, and spatially heterogeneous; the coupling mechanism is not fully understood; and the driving forces and regulation strategies remain uncertain. Therefore, in this study, the WLFC nexus centered on low-carbon and high-quality agricultural development was systematically reviewed. The main contributions are as follows: (1) A framework of the regional agricultural WLFC nexus was proposed based on bibliographic analysis. (2) The main internal and external factors influencing the WLFC nexus in agriculture were identified by reevaluating meta-analysis review studies. The results showed that changes in the amount and type of irrigation water, the amount and planting activities of agricultural land, and climate change (temperature, precipitation, and CO₂ concentration) affected food (rice, wheat, and maize) yields and carbon emissions to varying degrees. Moreover, population, technological innovation, trade, and polices were important external factors impacting food production and carbon emissions. (3) The common methods and tools for assessing, simulating, and optimizing the WLFC nexus in agriculture were summarized from the perspectives of its status, physical links, and embodied links. Integrated indices, complex system thinking, and process-based and data-driven methods were applied in the studies of the WLFC nexus. (4) Strategies and programs for collaborative WLFC management in agriculture within 10 global river basins were compiled. These findings could help us better understand the WLFC nexus in agriculture and identify the optimal cooperative management scheme, thereby realizing low-carbon and high-quality agricultural development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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10 pages, 3169 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Groundwater Sustainability Planning in California: Recommendations for Strengthening the Kern Groundwater Sustainability Plan

by Kiana Okamura and Amy Quandt

Water 2024, 16(17), 2442; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172442 - 29 Aug 2024

Viewed by 703

Abstract

Kern County is one of the most valuable agricultural counties in the nation. This, however, is being put in jeopardy with the recently implemented Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in response to the ongoing California drought and extensive groundwater pumping for irrigation. The Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) are responsible for developing Groundwater Sustainability Plans to address the new SGMA policies. The objective of this paper is to examine the Kern Groundwater Sustainability Plan (KGSP), determine its strengths and weaknesses, and provide recommendations for the updated plan released in 2025. The plan performs well in defining criteria that must be met, but fails to address how these goals will be implemented. Based on our policy analysis, our recommendations include standardizing groundwater management terms across sub-basins, defining clear measurements of undesirable results, utilizing financial (dis)incentives to encourage groundwater users to manage water sustainably, and increasing interconnections between local and state organizations. Importantly, improving this policy process for the SGMA may be an example for critically overdrafted groundwater basins globally on how to more sustainably manage their groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies on Water Resource and Environmental Policies)

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