Study on the influence of changing virtual water flow patterns in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration on regional water pressure
[Objective]The strategic mobilization of virtual water can significantly mitigate water stress,especially in densely pop-ulated urban agglomerations.Rapidly growing urban populations have driven up water demand,resultsing in severe regional water shortages.However,the inter-connectivity between regions within an urban agglomeration is conducive to promote virtual water trade,which will be significant for optimizing water resources allocation and alleviating the pressure on water resources in urban agglomerations.[Methods]Based on the multi-regional input-output approach,this study analyzed the patterns and changes of virtual water flows between and within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration with extremely water shortage,and revealed its role in alleviating regional water stress.[Results]The results showed that from 2012 to 2017,the trend for virtual water self-sufficiency within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration decreased first and then increased,while virtual water trade with external regions followed an opposite trend.The virtual water trade between cities within the urban agglomeration had been strengthened after 2015.The virtual water flow pattern within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region presented obvious spatial and tem-poral heterogeneity,primarily flowing from less developed peripheral cities to economically advanced central cities(Beijing,Tianjin,Shijiazhuang and Langfang).In addition,the intensity of flow and the degree of concentration to the central cities were increasing with time.Furthermore,the virtual water flow in urban agglomerations significantly alleviated the water stress in the central city,where the actual water stress index decreased by an average of 12.12%compared with the hypothetical water stress index after virtual water flows,with an annual increase in the degree of reduction.However,the water stress in surrounding cities increased.[Conclusion]The virtual water trade within the urban agglomeration effectively alleviates the water stress in central cities.However,the adjustment of industrial structure and the optimization of virtual water flow pattern still need to be continu-ously improved in different city.
国家科技期刊平台
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