Evolution of water quality and biota in the Panjiakou Reservoir, China as a consequence of social and economic development: implications for synergies and trade-offs between Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Water shortages caused by poor water quality severly affect the sustainable social and economic development of Tianjin City and Tangshan City in China. The Panjiakou Reservoir is located in the Luanhe River mainstream and provides water to the public in both cities since 1983. The evolution of water quality and aquatic community considering comprehensively the individual needs inside and across catchments to minimize trade-offs and maximize synergies was of great significance for coordinating the relations among society, economy, and water resources to achieve sustainable development at the sub-national scale.

Ecosystem services and disservices in the Luanhe River Basin in China under past, current and future land uses: implications for the sustainable development goals

“…The current trade-offs among SDGs and associated targets in the LRB include: (1) the imposition of limited development in the part of Hebei province in the LRB (e.g. restricting the development of steel industry, banning cage fishing culture of riparian fishermen) to maintain water quantity and quality for Tianjin’s water consumers (Wei et al 2021 ); (2) the promotion of afforestation to protect Beijing and Tianjin which are both outside the LRB from wind and sandstorm, achieved by limiting animal husbandry, planting industry, and mining industry in upstream regions (Li et al 2017 ).…”

“…The quantity and quality of water resources in the LRB have profound influences on Tianjin’s socioeconomic development. Over the years, Hebei province has actively taken protective measures, such as the ban on cage fishing in Panjiakou and Daheiting reservoirs and shutting down coal mining and steel enterprises (Wei et al 2021 ) and suffering the loss of development opportunities to ensure water safety in Tianjin by investing much labour, material, and financial resources in ecological projects. In 2017, the ‘Upstream and Downstream Eco-compensation Agreement for Water Diversion Project from Luanhe River to Tianjin City’ was signed between Tianjin and Hebei (Xinhua News 2019 ).…”

Synergies and trade-offs between sustainable development goals and targets: innovative approaches and new perspectives

“…This framework evaluates the potential flood risk under different development, climate, and infrastructure change scenarios for the LRB. Wei et al (2022) compiled data related to water quality and aquatic community structure in the Panjiakou Reservoir located in the LRB, as well as the reservoir's various functions and operation modes, and social and economic development of the reservoir's surroundings for the period 1984 to 2019. The evolution of the reservoir's water quality and changes in aquatic community structure and functions were linked to adjacent social and economic development, clearly indicating different synergies and trade-offs between SDGs.…”

Development of an SDG interlinkages analysis model at the river basin scale: a case study in the Luanhe River Basin, China

“…To address this urgent issue, the Central Government issued a ban on cage fishing in Panjiakou reservoir in early 2019 and forced the removal of all cages within a few months. The ban aims at protecting the water environment (Target 6.5) and ensuring access to safe drinking water (Target 6.1) in downstream cities; however, it also had a sudden impact on the economic development (Target 8.1) and livelihoods of aquaculture farmers in the midstream (see detailed analysis in Wei et al (2021)). This case demonstrated the off-site trade-offs associated with economic development and governmental policies.…”