Groundwater Dynamic Characteristics with the Ecological Threshold in the Northwest China Oasis

Li, Dongbo; Li, Xiaolong; He, Xinlin; Yang, Guang; Du, Yi; Li, Xiaoqian

doi:10.3390/su14095390

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Groundwater is the last line of defense for the ecology of arid and semi-arid regions, and determining the appropriate range for groundwater depth is the foundation for maintaining ecological stability [38,39]. The appropriate groundwater depth range is closely related to the subsurface and hydrogeological conditions, and under large-scale conditions, numerical simulation is an effective tool to analyze the well-canal combined irrigation ratio, vegetation dynamics, and the mutual feedback relationship of groundwater depth coupling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Zhang,

Deng,

Xiao

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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It is important to clarify the suitable ratio of well–canal combined irrigation and the suitable range for ecological groundwater depth for the ecological stability of the arid zone. The MODFLOW model was used to reconstruct long-term groundwater depth by analyzing the response relationship between vegetation cover and groundwater depth in the Weigan River irrigation district. The suitable range for ecological groundwater depth was obtained, and based on this range, the suitable well–canal combined irrigation ratio in the research area was further simulated. The results show the following: (1) The average annual depth of groundwater in 82.9% of the study area increased from 2012 to 2021, and the average annual depth of groundwater increased by 1.03 m in 2021 compared to 2012. The average depth of the groundwater in the upstream area increased the most, with an increase of 1.96 m. (2) The vegetation cover in the study area from 2012 to 2021 increased in general, with an increase of 0.0461 over the 10-year period, but it fluctuated between years. (3) The depth of the groundwater in the study area suitable for the growth of vegetation in the irrigation area ranged from 3 to 5 m, and the value of NDVI within this range concentrated near 0.564–0.731, which represents a good state of vegetation growth. (4) The ratio of combined well and canal irrigation in the study area from 2012 to 2014 surged from 0.13 in 2012 to 0.48 in 2014, and the irrational harvesting and replenishment relationship led to a rapid increase in the depth of buried groundwater. A suitable well–canal combined irrigation ratio of 0.396 in the study area was obtained. This study is beneficial for maintaining the sustainable development and utilization of water resources and ecological stability in the Weigan River irrigation district.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Zhang,

Deng,

Xiao

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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“…For this reason, many ecological hydrologists have conducted extensive research and found that most groundwater-dependent ecosystems depend on the distribution of shallow groundwater, and the key factor affecting the growth of vegetation in arid areas is the depth of the groundwater table [9][10][11]. Based on this, the concept of ecological groundwater level has been put forward in relation to arid and semi-arid areas [12][13][14]. The ecological groundwater level is defined as the groundwater level that corresponds to the depth capable of sustaining non-zonal natural vegetation growth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Groundwater Ecological Water Requirement in the Southeast Margin of Otindag Sandy Land Based on Allowable Groundwater Depth Drawdown

Zhang,

Cheng,

Liu

et al. 2023

Water

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Water resources in arid and semi-arid areas are limiting factors for ecosystem health and economic development. Therefore, an accurate and reasonable assessment of ecological water demand is crucial for efficient water resource utilization. In this study, we used vegetation coverage and groundwater depth to assess the state of vegetation growth in the Zhenglanqi, located at the southeastern edge of Otindag Sandy Land. Our results indicate the existence of a statistical power index function between vegetation coverage and groundwater depth scatter plots, where even minor changes in groundwater depth can have a significant impact on vegetation growth. In order to quantitatively assess the impact of subsidence on vegetation ecology, we propose a maximum allowable subsidence level under conditions that maintain normal ecological conditions, based on the initial subsidence depth and ecological guarantee rate. Our findings suggest that regions with shallower initial groundwater depths are more sensitive to changes in their environment than regions with deeper groundwater depths. The total groundwater consumption in the study area was 83 million cubic meters while maintaining an ecological guarantee rate of 80%; thus, while ensuring normal environmental conditions, human exploitation of shallow groundwater accounts for only 16 percent.

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Analysis of the Expansion Characteristics and Carrying Capacity of Oasis Farmland in Northwestern China in Recent 40 Years

GUI

Xue

et al. 2022

Agronomy

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An oasis is a unique landscape that fuels human subsistence and socioeconomic development in the desert ecosystem. However, the overexpansion of oases, especially farmlands, poses severe threats to available land and water resources. This study aims to assess the expansion levels, carrying capacity dynamics, and planting structure optimization to maximize economic returns in northwest China’s five Typical Oasis Groups (5TOGs) using uniform data sources, time scales, and methods. Satellite products and a water-heat balance model were used to evaluate the changes in the area and carrying capacity dynamics of the 5TOGs. A linear programming approach was used to optimize each oasis’s cropping structure for the carrying level scenario. The results showed that the area of 5TOGs has expanded from 1980–2020, and the increment of oasis farmland is the main driver of oasis expansion. The most dramatic expansion of oases and their farmlands occurred during 2010–2020. As a consequence, the carrying capacity of each oasis is deteriorating with this expansion. The additional water resources to support this expansion of the oases and their farmlands come from groundwater, which is declining rapidly. Based on the optimized planting structure, cotton remains the main crop in Xinjiang oases with more than 60% area, the cotton area should be reduced in the Hotan River Oases, and the planting structure of the Heihe River Oasis will remain unchanged. The findings of this study have provided a quantitative analysis of oasis expansion and planting structure optimization, which have practical implications for water resource management and sustainable development of agriculture to maintain the stability of the oasis ecosystem.

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Groundwater Dynamic Characteristics with the Ecological Threshold in the Northwest China Oasis

Cited by 5 publications

References 31 publications

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Study on the Suitable Ecological Groundwater Depth and the Suitable Well–Canal Combined Irrigation Ratio in the Weigan River Irrigation District

Evaluation of the Groundwater Ecological Water Requirement in the Southeast Margin of Otindag Sandy Land Based on Allowable Groundwater Depth Drawdown

Analysis of the Expansion Characteristics and Carrying Capacity of Oasis Farmland in Northwestern China in Recent 40 Years

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