Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of Water Resources Carrying Capacity in Tianjin City of China

  • Published:
Water Resources Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Regional sustainable development is an important focus on natural resources management, and also is a critical requirement for socio-economic system’s sustainability. Water resource is one of the most important supports for the sustainable development of society and economy. The study proposed the concept of water resources carrying capacity (WRCC) to assess the scale of economy and population that the local water resources can support. And the study took Tianjin city of China for an example, and its population size and economic scale were chosen as two main indices. Based on the historical statistical datum, the carrying index (CI) and index of water supply–demand balance (IWSD) were evaluated, and then the current WRCC in Tianjin city and its dynamic tendency were evaluated by means of the method of carrying capacity of relative resources (CCRR). The results showed that the utilization of water resources in Tianjin is inefficient for now, the dynamic trend would be partly rational after the protection policy of water resource was put into practice in 2010 and 2020, and the WRCC of Tianjin city went beyond the average WRCC of China and was roughly equal to that of Beijing city. This paper showed that the rational policies and measures should be established and implemented to make sure utilize water resources efficiently in Tianjin city.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrow K, Bolin B, Costanza R, Dasgupta P, Folke C, Holling CS, Jansson B, Levin S, Maler K, Perrings C, Pimental D (1995) Economic growth, carrying capacity, and the environment. Ecol Econ 15:91–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai XM, Imura H (2001) Towards sustainable urban water resources management: a case study in Tianjin, China. Sust Dev 9:24–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao C, Fang CL (2009) Integrated assessment model water resources constraint intensity on urbanization in arid area. J Geogr Sci 19:273–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beuhler M (2003) Potential impacts of global warming on water resources in southern California. Water Sci Technol 47(7–8):165–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen YZ, Jing YJ (2006) Study on comparative bating capacity of resource and sustainable development in Jilin Province. Popul J 1:41–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Li LJ, Guo HC, Sun HL (2000) System analysis on water resources supporting alternatives for Chaidamu basin. Environ Sci 21(3):16–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen NX, Ban PL, Zhang WB (2008) Fuzzy evaluation of the water resources carrying capacity based on the maximum entropy theory. J Irrig Drain 27(2):57–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng GD (2002) Evolution of the concept of carrying capacity and the analysis framework of water resources carrying capacity in northwest of China. J Glacio Geocry 24(4):361–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke AL (2002) Assessing the carrying capacity of the Florida keys. Popul Environ 23:405–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di QB, Han ZL, Liu GC, Chang HW (2007) Carrying capacity of marine region in Liaoning province. Chin Geogr Sci 17(3):229–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte P, Meneses R, Hawkins AJS, Zhu M, Fang J, Grant J (2003) Mathematical modeling to assess the carrying capacity for multi-species culture within coastal waters. Ecol Model 168:109–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falkenmark M, Lundqvist J (1998) Towards water security: political determination and human adaptation crucial. Nat Resour Forum 21:37–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang CL, Liu XL (2010) Comprehensive measurement for carrying capacity of resources and environment of city clusters in central China. Chin Geogr Sci 20(3):281–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang GH, Hu YG, Xu Y (2006) Research on the multi-objective evaluation model of regional water resources carrying capacity and its application. Water Resour Protect 22(6):9–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng LH, Huang CF (2008) A risk assessment model of water shortage based on information diffusion technology and its application in analyzing carrying capacity of water resources. Water Resour Manage 22:621–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng LH, Zhang XC, Luo GY (2008) Application of system dynamics in analyzing the carrying capacity of water resources in Yiwu City, China. Math Comput Simulat 79:269–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fu X, Ji CM (1999) A comprehensive evaluation of the regional water resources carrying capacity—application of main component analysis method. Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin 8(2):168–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao QZ, Du HL, Zu RP (2002) The balance between supply and demand of water resources and water-saving potential for agriculture in the Hexi Corridor. Chin Geogr Sci 12(2):23–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghassemi F, Close A, Kellett JR (1997) Numerical models for the management of land and water resources salinisation. Math Comput Simulat 43:323–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giupponi C, Mysiak J, Fassio A, Cogan V (2004) Mulino-DSS: a computer tool for sustainable use of water resources at the catchment scale. Math Comput Simulat 64(1):13–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gong L, Jin CL (2009) Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation for carrying capacity of regional water resources. Water Resour Manage 23:2505–2513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graymore MLM, Sipe NG, Riskson RE (2010) Sustaining human carrying capacity: a tool for regional sustainability assessment. Ecol Econ 69:459–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo XR, Mao XQ, Ran SH (2000) Research progress in environmental carrying capacity in China. Chn Popu Res Envi 10(3):28–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris JM, Kennedy S (1999) Carrying capacity in agriculture: global and regional issues. Ecol Econ 29:443–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang NS, Kuang YQ (2000) The carrying capacity of resources and the problems of sustainable development in Guangdong Province. Econ Geogr 20(2):52–56 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter C (1998) Preception of sustainable city and implications for fresh water resources management. Int J Environ Pollut 10:84–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia SF, Wang G, Zhang SF, Yu GR, Wang JX, Xia J (2002) Research progress of socio-economic water cycle in China. J Geogr Sci 12(1):114–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jing YJ (2006) Dynamic analysis of bearing capacity of relative resources in Northeast China. Jilin Univ J Soc Sci Ed 46(4):104–110 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuykendtierna JL, Bjorklund G, Najlis P (1997) Sustainable water future with global implications: everyone’s responsibility. Nat Resour Forum 20:181–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Li LJ, Guo HC, Chen B (2000) Water resources supporting capacity of Chaidamu Basin. Environ Sci 21(1):20–23 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li ZH, Guo WJ, Dong SC (2008) Empirical analysis on carrying capacity of relative resources based on harmonious development between population and economy: a case study of Hubei Provence. Areal Res Dev 27(3):83–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Li ZH, Dong SC, Gao D (2009) Model modification and application on carrying capacity of relative resources. Chn Popu Res Envi 7(2):19–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu SF, Chen JH (2007) Water resources carrying capacity based on the theory of ANN. Res Sci 29(1):99–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu CH, Zhang K, Zhang JM (2010) Sustainable utilization of regional water resources: experiences from the Hai Hua ecological industry pilot zone (HHEIPZ) project in China. J Cle Pro 18:447–453

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu F, Xu JH, Wang ZY (2009) Application of GA optimized wavelet neural networks for carrying capacity of water resources prediction. In: 2009 international conference on environmental science and information application technology, pp 308–311

  • Ofoezie IE (2002) Human health and sustainable water resources development in Nigeria: schistosomiasis inartifical lakes. Nat Resour Forum 26:150–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson LJ, Coggan A, Proctor W, Smith TF (2010) A sustainable decision support framework for urban water management. Water Resour Manage 24:363–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rijsberman MA, van de Ven FHM (2000) Different approaches to assessment of design and management of sustainable urban water system. Environ Impact Asses Rev 3:333–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shi YF, Qu YG (1992) Water resources carrying capacity and rational development and utilization of Urumqi River. Science, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Song XM, Yang XF, Zhang L, Luo B (2009) Study on region water resources carrying capacity and sustainable development. Yellow River 31(4):72–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang YL, Zhu SB (2006) Application of matter-element model to evaluation of water resources carrying capacity in Xinjiang. Water Resour Protect 22(3):490–494

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang XL, Liu YL, He Y (2009) Analysis on the relative carrying capacity of water resources of Shihezi. Journal of Shihezi University (Natural Science) 27(4):490–494

    Google Scholar 

  • UNDP (1994) Water resources management in north China. Research Center of North China Water Resources, Beijing

  • Wackernagel M, Rees WE (1996) Our ecological footprint: reducing human impact on the earth. New Society, Gabriola Island

    Google Scholar 

  • Wackernagel M, Onislo L, Bello P (1997) Ecological footprints of nations. International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang LH, Zhang SJ, Wang YB (2005) Water resources supply and demand analysis and counterplan study early in 21 centuries of Tianjin. Geol Surv Res 28(1):56–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZM, Zhang B, He YF (2004) Analysis of dynamic changes of relative carrying capacity of resources in Jilin Province. J Arid Land Resour Environ 18(2):5–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia J, Zhu YZ (2002) The measurement of water resources security: progress and challenge in water resources carrying capacity research. J Nat Resour 17(3):262–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia J, Zhang L, Liu CM, Yu JJ (2007) Towards better water security in North China. Water Resour Manage 21:233–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu ZM, Cheng GD (2000) The predicted demand of water resources in the middle reaches of the Heihe River from 1995 to 2050. J Glacio Geocry 22(2):139–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao ZJ, Wang JH, Jiang D (2002) Advances in study on regional water resources carrying capacity and research on its theory. Adv Water Sci 13(1):111–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye HR, Wang SL, Yang JZ (2007) Tempo-spatial analysis on the dynamics of the relative carrying capacity of resources in southeastern of Fujian Province. Econ Geogr 27(2):265–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Yue TX, Tian YZ, Liu JY, Fan ZM (2008) Surface modeling of human carrying capacity of terrestrial ecosystems in China. Ecol Model 214:168–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zarghami M (2010) Urban water management using fuzzy-probabilistic multi-objective programming with dynamic efficiency. Water Resour Manage (online first). doi:10.1007/s11269-010-9669-x

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng SY, Chen JN, Fu P (2008) Strategic zoning for urban wastewater reuse in China. Water Resour Manage 22:1297–1309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang XY, Che SY, Liu MY, Pei D, Sun HY (2005) Improved water use efficiency associated with cultivars and agronomic management in the North China plain. Agron J 97:783–790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HW, Zhai CJ, Zhang XH (2008a) Forecasting water resources demand based on complex system dynamics: a case study of Tianjin city. 2008 International Seminar on Future BioMedical Information Engineering, Wuhan China, pp 415–417

  • Zhang XH, Zhang HW, Chen B, Chen GQ, Zhao XH (2008b) Water resources planning based on complex system dynamics: a case study of Tianjin city. Commun Nonlinear Sci Numer Simulat 13(10):2328–2336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang YX, Chen M, Zhou WH, Zhuang CW, Quyang ZY (2010) Evaluating Beijing’s human carrying capacity from the perspective of water resource constraints. J Environ Sci 22(8):1297–1304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhong LJ, Mol APJ (2010) Water price reforms in China: policy-making and implementation. Water Resour Manage 24:377–396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu YZ (2008) Assessment of water resources carrying capacity: a case study of Zhangye in China. In: 3rd IASWE/WSEAS international conference on water resources, hydraulic & hydrology, UK, pp 145–150

  • Zhu YH, Drake S, Lv HS, Xia J (2010) Analysis of temporal and spatial differences in eco-environmental carrying capacity related to water in the Haihe river basins, China. Water Resour Manage 24:1089–1105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zou L (2006) A discussion about the problems on water resources carrying capacity research. In: GMSARN international conference on sustainable development: issues and prospects for GMS. http://dl.gmseenet.org/bitstream/handle/123456789/1012/033-B.pdf?sequence=1

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resource and Earth Science, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221008, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-meng Song & Fan-zhe Kong

  2. Key Laboratory of Water Cycle & Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, China Academic Science, Beijing, 100101, China

    Che-sheng Zhan

Authors
  1. Xiao-meng Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Fan-zhe Kong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Che-sheng Zhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiao-meng Song.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Song, Xm., Kong, Fz. & Zhan, Cs. Assessment of Water Resources Carrying Capacity in Tianjin City of China. Water Resour Manage 25, 857–873 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-010-9730-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-010-9730-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation