title: Evaluation of crop production, trade, and consumption from the perspective of water resources: a case study of the Hetao irrigation district, China, for 1960-2010.
abstract: The integration of water footprints and virtual water flows allows the mapping of the links between production, trade, and consumption and could potentially help to alleviate water scarcity and improve water management. We evaluated the water footprints and virtual water flows of crop production, consumption, and trade and their influencing factors in the Hetao irrigation district in China for 1960-2010. The water footprint of crop production and the export of virtual water fluctuated but tended to increase during this period and were influenced mainly by agricultural factors such as crop yield, irrigation efficiency, and area sown. The water footprint of crop consumption and the import of virtual water increased during 1960-1979 and decreased during 1980-2010 and were influenced by socio-economic factors such as total population, the retail-price index, and the proportion of the population in urban areas. Most of the water footprint of production was exported to other areas, which added to the pressure on local water systems. The import of virtual water led to a saving of water for the Hetao irrigation district, while its share of the water footprint of consumption has decreased significantly since 1977. An increase in irrigation efficiency can alleviate water scarcity, and its application should be coupled with measures that constrain the continued expansion of agriculture. Full-cost pricing of irrigation water was an effective policy tool for its management. Re-shaping regional water-production and water-trade nexuses by changing crop structures could provide alternative opportunities for addressing the problems of local water scarcity, but the trade-offs involved should first be assessed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Shikun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. Electronic address: gjzwpt@vip.sina.com.
authors.forename: Pute
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Yubao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Regions of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; National Engineering Research Center for Water Saving Irrigation at Yangling, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
authors.forename: Xining
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D057914:Agricultural Irrigation; D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development; D062066:Water Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: China; Influencing factors; Irrigation area; Virtual water flows; Water footprint