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Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Keywords

the Yellow River；human-water interactions；integrated water management；ecohydrology；sustainable development

Document Type

Policy & Management Research

Abstract

The severe soil erosion and river channel disconnection along the Yellow River have been curbed. Still, the fundamental situation of prominent contradictions in the relationship between humans and water has not changed. Scientifically enhancing comprehensive management capabilities has become an important demand for high-quality development in the Yellow River basin during this new era. This study summarizes the fundamental ecological and hydrological changes in the Yellow River basin, and identifies three main characteristics, namely, sediment transport has significantly decreased, water resource shortages have intensified, and the relationship between humans and water has changed significantly. The four key challenges for sustainable development in the Yellow River basin are listed as continuous increase in water resource utilization flux, ongoing decrease in water resource stock, persistent local ecological disconnections, and insufficient institutional analysis of human impacts. Based on a theoretical understanding of human-land coupling systems in arid regions, the study proposes future directions for scientific research to promote data collection and monitoring of water reserves, improve hydraulic infrastructure through engineering and institutional reforms, implement joint management of surface water and groundwater, and balance ecological project construction with transfer payments to reduce water fluxes while protecting water stocks to maintain a steady flow of the Yellow River.

First page

1347

Last Page

1356

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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