Application of the Water Footprint: Water Stress Analysis and Allocation

Description

Based on the water footprint (WF) concept, this book reviews WF-based water stress evaluation methods at the city, provincial and river basin levels respectively. In addition, it explores the factors that influence regional water footprint in the spatial sequence via the extended STIRPAT model. Highlighting the utilization of WF accounting in sustainable water management, one of the book’s goals is to establish the optimization model of water allocation in various industrial sectors. Based on WF accounting, which thoroughly considers the water input for production, the relevant intermediate water inputs, and the water amount for wastewater discharge dilutions, the book provides a wealth of insights for scholars and practitioners with an interest in water resources and environmental management. In addition, it exhibits a scientific plan for regional water resource utilization and allocation, helping relieve regional water shortages. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvi Introduction (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 1-6 Front Matter ....Pages 7-7 The Concepts of Virtual Water and Water Footprint (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 9-16 Water Footprint Accounting Method (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 17-22 Front Matter ....Pages 23-23 Studies on the Evaluation of Water Footprints at Various Regional Scales (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 25-29 Principal Water Stress Analysis Indexes and Approaches Based on WFs (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 31-36 Front Matter ....Pages 37-37 Study Case: Water Stresses Evaluation at the Provincial Scale: The Zhejiang Province (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 39-58 Study Case: Evaluation of Water Stresses at the River Basin Scale: The Haihe River Basin (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 59-83 Study Case: Evaluation of Water Stresses at the City Scale–The Dalian City (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 85-92 Comparisons of the Major Indexes of Water Stresses Analysis at Multiple Regional Scales (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 93-102 Front Matter ....Pages 103-103 Influencing Factors Analysis of Water Footprint Based on the Extended STIRPAT Model (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 105-126 Optimal Water Utilization and Allocation Strategy Based on Water Footprint Accounting (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 127-144 Conclusions (Meng Xu, Chunhui Li)....Pages 145-149