Study on the Relationship between Water Resources Utilization and Economic Growth in Tarim River basin from the Perspective of Water Footprint
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The conclusions are general and could be written without your research.
Author Response
Point 1: The conclusions are general and could be written without your research.
Response 1: Thank you for your valuable suggestion. We have revised the suggestion part in the Point 1. The revisions are as follows:
The research area has extremely special practical significance in China and even the world. From China, in continental river basin in Tarim river basin is China's largest, is a rare collection of agricultural drought, degeneration of the ecological fragile district coupling specific area, major poverty-stricken areas and ethnic minority areas, is China's largest production base of high-quality cotton, and national ecological management and strengthen poverty engines and achieve rural revitalization of one of the key battleground. Tarim River Basin is one of the most arid regions in China and even in the world, with the largest gap between water supply and demand and the most vulnerable ecology. It is also one of the regions with the highest agricultural water consumption ratio and lowest water resource utilization efficiency. The Tarim River basin is located at the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, the second largest desert in the world. The climate is arid and the vegetation is sparse, and the ecological environment is fragile. The agricultural development mainly depends on diversion irrigation, with an irrigation area of nearly 1.4 million hectares, which is a typical "oasis economy". Water is the lifeblood not only of agriculture, but of the entire national economy and ecosystem. In 2015, the No. 1 document of the Central Committee of the People's Republic of China proposed strengthening agricultural ecological governance, vigorously promoting the development of agricultural circular economy, major ecological forestry projects, and promoting ecological protection and restoration in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Therefore, under the severe constraints of water resources, how to rationally allocate limited water resources and realize the coordination of "production, life and ecology" is a major scientific issue for this region. To solve this problem, we must have a deep understanding of the water footprint of this region, formulate a scientific and reasonable water resources management policy, in order to realize the sustainable development of ecology and economy in Tarim River basin, and accelerate the realization of the second Centennial Goal of China. This is the fundamental starting point of this study.
Most of the previous researches on water resources in Tarim River Basin focus on supervision, utilization and ecological conservation, and few researches on the rela-tionship between water resources and economy and provide corresponding counter-measures. Most of the relevant researches on Tarim River Basin are physical water, and virtual water is ignored. Only by basing on the water footprint study can the water resource loss situation of Tarim River Basin be fully and truly reflected. Although the decoupling model is used by most scholars, it is seldom used for the basin where "the river itself does not produce water flow" and seldom analyzed in relation to policies. Research for the comprehensive understanding of China in recent years some of the major theories and policies, such as "two mountain" theory (lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets) and evaluate the counterpart of Xinjiang, carry out the policy according to long river system result provides new evidence, as well as full understanding in continental river basin in China and underdeveloped regions in eco-nomic development provides new ideas and solutions.
Other questions have also been revised accordingly. Please refer to the red section of the article for details.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
The particular manuscript describes a very interesting topic with scientifically sound methods for the assessment of the water footprint for Tarim River Basin and for different economic activities (agriculture, industry etc).
Though a few changes are required prior to its publication.
The methods for the footprint assessment should be more analytically described in order to be understandable for the common reader.
A few more suggestions for policy implications should be added
Thorough editing in the English language is also a requirement
Author Response
- Point 1: The methods for the footprint assessment should be more analytically described in order to be understandable for the common reader.
Response 1: Thank you for your valuable suggestion. We have revised the suggestion part in the Point 1. The revisions are as follows:
2.5.1. Evaluation index of internal benefits of water footprint
- Population density of water footprint in ten thousand tons
Population density of water footprint per 10,000 tons refers to the normal living population of a region per 10,000 tons of water footprint. It is the percentage of total population (TP) and total water footprint (WFP) at the end of the year in a region. The value of population density of ten thousand tons of water footprint is positively correlated with the effective force of water resources in the region, and the larger the value is, the more population can be maintained in the region, the more conducive to the sustainable economic development of the region. The calculation formula is as follows:
- Economic benefits of water footprint
Water footprint economic benefit refers to the economic benefit created by each unit of water footprint consumption in a certain region, which is the percentage of annual GDP and total water footprint of the region (WFP). The economic benefit value of water footprint is positively correlated with the economic benefit created after water footprint consumption. The larger the value is, the higher the utilization level of water resources in this region will be. In other words, under the same economic benefits, the consumption of water footprint in areas with high economic benefits is lower. The calculation formula is as follows:
- Water footprint land density
Water footprint Land density refers to the water consumption per unit area of A region, which can be obtained by dividing the total water footprint (WFP) by area (A). The value of land density of water footprint is positively correlated with the amount of water consumed in this area. The larger the value is, the higher the amount of water consumed per unit area in this area is. The calculation formula is as follows:
2.5.2. Evaluation index of external benefits of water footprint
- Water footprint net trade value
Net trade value of water footprint refers to the virtual water quantity difference between import and export in the process of external water footprint trade in a certain region at a certain period, which can be obtained by subtracting the virtual water quantity exported (VWU) from the virtual water quantity imported (VWI) of the region. This can be reflected in the region's position, role and status quo of its water resources policy in the trade process. If the virtual water volume exported (VWU) is greater than the virtual water volume imported (VWI), the water footprint trade value is positive, indicating that the region is the source of water resources when conducting water footprint trade with the outside world, detrimental to the sustainable development of the local economy. Otherwise, if it is negative, it is the input place of water resources, conducive to the sustainable development of the local economy. The calculation formula is as follows:
- Water footprint contribution rate
Water footprint net trade value divided by the area of the amount of water available (WA) can get water footprint contribution rate, and it reflects in the water footprint trade with the outside world, the area for the rest of the pressure water resources situation of the strength of the relief, if the ratio is larger, the water pressure in other areas of the stronger the relief, the weaker conversely. The calculation formula is as follows:
- Water footprint value conversion rate
The water footprint value exchange contribution rate refers to the monetary value of the water footprint of a unit exported by a region in the process of foreign trade. The water footprint value exchange contribution rate can be obtained by dividing the import trade value of the water footprint by the export trade value of the water footprint. The higher the value is, the more beneficial the exported products are to the sustainable development of local economy and ecology.
- Point 2: A few more suggestions for policy implications should be added.
Response 2: Thank you for your valuable suggestion. We have revised the suggestion part in the Point 2. The revisions are as follows:
From the perspective of water footprint, the suggestions are as follows: reducing the water footprint of Tarim River basin, improving the internal benefit of water resources, reducing the external benefit, alleviating the shortage of water resources and reducing the self-sufficiency rate of water resources, including: (1) reducing agricultural water consumption and adjusting agricultural planting structure; (2) Improve the water footprint structure and increase the water consumption of secondary and tertiary industries; (3) Enhance the added value of products and improve the economic benefits of water resources; (4) Improve the virtual water import volume, reduce the self-sufficiency rate of water resources, balance the virtual water import and export structure.
Reducing the rate of change of water footprint and increasing the rate of change of GDP can strengthen the decoupling intensity between water resources utilization and economic growth in Tarim River basin, mainly including the following suggestions: (1) further promote effective agricultural water-saving policies; (2) Vigorously develop the secondary and tertiary industries; (3) Encourage the design and research and development of high-tech and high value-added products. （4）Vigorously popularize agricultural water-saving technology, implement stepped water pricing and agricultural water-saving compensation policy, improve agricultural water efficiency, and improve economic benefits of water resources from all aspects.
Other questions have also been revised accordingly. Please refer to the red section of the article for details.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Well written paper.
Author Response
Thank you for your valuable suggestions. We have revised part of the article. Please refer to the red part in the attachment for details.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
