Water Footprint Assessment of Agricultural Crop Productions in the Dry Farming Region, Shanxi Province, Northern China

Abstract

Exploring the crop production water footprint and their driving factors is of significant importance for management of agricultural water resources. However, how do we effectively assess the total agricultural water consumption and explore the significance of their driving factors, i.e., population, economy, and agricultural production conditions, using a backpropagation neural network (BPNN)? It is still ambiguous. Water consumption for crops during the growing season is explicitly explored by way of water footprint indicators (green water footprint, WFPg, and blue water footprint, WFPb). This study provides new insights into the factors driving the changes in crop production water footprint in Taiyuan City over the period of 2005–2021. Simulations of crop evapotranspiration using the CROPWAT model were quantified. The results showed that Taiyuan City has a low crop yield level below the average level of China, with the highest crop yield in maize. The crop production water footprint in Taiyuan City showed a non-linearly decreasing trend over time. The average annual crop production water footprint was 187.09 × 103 m3/kg in Taiyuan City, with the blue water footprint and green water footprint accounting for 63.32% and 36.68%, respectively. The crop production water footprint in the west and north of Taiyuan City was significantly higher than those in other areas, accounting for 42.92% of the total crop production water footprint. Oilseed crops contributed most to the total crop production water footprint, accounting for 47.11%. The GDP and total sown area of crops were more important for the changes in WFPb. Agricultural machinery power and agriculture-to-non-agriculture ratio were more important for the changes in WFPg. Agricultural machinery power and GDP were more important for the changes in IWFP. In-depth analysis of the factors driving the changes in crop production water footprint is dramatically important for agricultural decision makers to mitigate water resource pressure in Taiyuan City.

Coupling Coordination Evaluation of Water and Soil Resource Matching and Grain Production, and Analysis of Obstacle Factors in a Typical Black Soil Region of Northeast China

“…In addition, affected by the difference in regional water and soil resource endowment and human factors, Northeast China faces the burden of the high environmental carrying capacity of regional resources behind the high grain yield [51]. Previous studies have noticed the importance of water resources utilization [52] and land resources allocation [53,54]. However, there are few studies on water and soil resources and grain production in the literature, which undoubtedly lacks the methodological support of basic resource research in the field of agricultural production.…”

Horticulture Irrigation Systems and Aquaculture Water Usage: A Perspective for the Use of Aquaponics to Generate a Sustainable Water Footprint

“…Regional and local water shortages require an extend review of water sustainability for crop production being the blue water footprint less impactful in the global water performance assessment than the green water footprint, which presents more water scarcity on a global scale and pollution due to excessive nitrogen introduction [167]. In general, the blue water footprint is more impactful in crop production in arid regions than the green water footprint, but all is depending on local water resource management [170]. Different studies have shown that the water footprint in crop production could be reduced by changing the crop varieties and agricultural management [171].…”

Horticultural Irrigation Systems and Aquacultural Water Usage: A Perspective for the Use of Aquaponics to Generate a Sustainable Water Footprint

“…Regional and local water shortages require an extended review of water sustainability for crop production, of which the blue water footprint is less impactful in the global water performance assessment than the green water footprint, which presents more water scarcity on a global scale and pollution due to excessive nitrogen introduction [166]. In general, the blue water footprint is more impactful in crop production in arid regions than the green water footprint, but it all depends on local water resource management [169]. Different studies have shown that the water footprint of crop production could be reduced by changing crop varieties and agricultural management [170].…”