In this study, an ecological network-based input-output model (ENIOM) is developed for assessing the virtual water in China. Direct/indirect water consumption efficiency and virtual water flow directions among different sectors are quantified by input-out model, and the relationship (e.g., exploitation, competition and mutualism) among different sectors are identified by network utility analysis. Based on China’s input-output table in 2017, results show that (i) agriculture sector has the highest direct water consumption coefficient, and manufacturing sector has the highest indirect water consumption coefficient; (ii) manufacturing sector is the largest virtual water input and output sector, with a total net input of 93.6×109 m3 from the remaining seven sectors; and (iii) exploitation is the main relationship existed in the water network system. These findings suggest that more attentions should be paid on agricultural and manufacturing sectors in terms of water resources management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.