Pei Yuansheng,Zhao Yong,Liu Jiangang, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, , peiysh@iwhr.com
Abstract:
Based on understanding of the current status and existing issues in the study of agricultural water saving potential, discussion is made on the concepts of agricultural water saving potential at different scales; the relationship between resource water saving and irrigation water saving is identified; and a framework is developed for the calculation of agricultural water saving potentials at different scales with consideration of associated economic, social and ecological and environmental responses. A WACM model is used for the study, the Tuhaimajia River Catchment is selected as a case study area, and agricultural water saving options at different scales are developed. Then simulation calculation is made on agricultural irrigation water saving potential and resource saving potential in the river catchment, and integrated assessment is made to derive a water saving option that is technically feasible, economically reasonable, socially acceptable and ecologically harmonious, concluding that, in the Tuhaimajia River Catchment, the agricultural irrigation water saving potential is 1.641 billion m3 and the agricultural resources water saving potential is 712 million m3 , and the river catchment’s resource water saving potential is 728 million m3 .
Key words: the Tuhaimajia River Catchment, WACM model, agricultural water saving potential