Optimizing Multi-Scenario Water Resource Allocation in Reservoirs Considering Trade-Offs between Water Demand and Ecosystem Services

Abstract

Reservoir engineering plays a critical role in achieving rational water resource allocation, providing ecological services, and promoting regional development. However, in the formulation of water allocation plans, there is often a tendency to prioritize meeting regional water demand while overlooking ecological benefits. This study develops a multi-objective water allocation model based on evaluating ecosystem services value supply and demand, integrating indicators such as ecosystem service fulfillment ability, water resources fulfillment ability, and equilibrium operation degree. Different development scenarios are also established using a forecasting model to formulate water allocation plans and apply a case study of the Datun Reservoir, a key hub on the eastern route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China. This study demonstrates that (1) by optimizing the allocation of domestic and industrial water supply and reservoir storage, the overall ecosystem service value of the Datun Reservoir can be enhanced by 5.15% to 11.36% and (2) in scenarios of high economic growth, there is potential to achieve coordination between water supply and ecosystem service value. (3) However, lower-than-expected economic growth may lead to a trade-off between ecosystem services and water supply capacity in the reservoir, which could be maintained at a lower level. The methods proposed in this paper are of significant practical importance for guiding rational reservoir water allocation and achieving coordination between ecological services and water supply capacity.

Ultrasonic control of aquatic macrophytes in reservoirs: An integrated review

“…They are essential for water storage, irrigation, flood control, potable water supply, energy generation, recreation, and biodiversity conservation (Xu et al, 2024;Ye et al, 2017). Moreover, these aquatic environments are sensitive indicators of ecosystem changes, reflecting watershed quality through the dynamics of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities (Tao et al, 2024). However, human intervention and the exploitation of natural resources have exacerbated nutrient loads in these reservoirs, fostering excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria and aquatic plants (macrophytes), as they act as indicators of water pollution due to their sensitivity to changes in the chemical composition of the aquatic environment.…”