Search Results (28)

The continuous growth of the social economy and the accelerated urbanisation process have led to a rising increase in the demand for water resources in river basins. The uneven temporal and spatial distribution of water resources has further exacerbated the contradiction between supply and demand. The traditional extensive water resource allocation model is no longer suitable for the diverse demands of sustainable development in river basins. Therefore, there is an urgent demand to determine how to reconcile the supply and demand of water resources in river basins to achieve a rational allocation. Taking the Yellow River Basin as an example, an optimal water allocation framework based on multi-objective robust optimisation method was proposed in this study. A robust constraint boundary conditions for the industrial, agricultural, construction and service, ecological, and social water demand were selected from the perspective of the economy–society–ecology nexus. Then, Latin hypercube sampling was adopted to modify the Monte Carlo method to improve the dispersion of sampling values for quantifying the uncertainty of water allocation parameters. Furthermore, a multi-dimensional spatial equilibrium optimal allocation combining adjustable robust optimisation and multi-objective optimisation was established. Finally, a multi-objective particle swarm optimisation algorithm based on a crossover operator was constructed to obtain the Pareto-optimal solution for multi-dimensional spatial equilibrium optimal allocation. The primary findings were as follows: (1) Parameter uncertainty had a significant effect on the provincial/regional revenues of water resources but has no obvious effect on basin revenue. (2) The uncertainty in runoff and parameters had a significant influence on decisions for optimal water allocation. The optimal volume of water purchased by different provinces (regions) varied greatly under different scenarios. Full article

Against the background of increasingly scarce water resources and intensifying water use conflicts, achieving the scientific and optimized allocation of water resources has become crucial to ensuring regional sustainable development. Based on the traditional water resource optimization models that consider social, economic, and ecological objectives, this study introduces a spatial equilibrium level as a fourth optimization objective, constructing a multi-objective water resource allocation optimization model. The model simultaneously incorporates constraints on water supply, water demand, and decision variable non-negativity, as well as coupling coordination constraints among the water resources, socio-economic, and ecological subsystems within each water use unit. The NSGA-III algorithm is employed to obtain the Pareto front solution set for the four objectives, followed by a comprehensive ranking of the Pareto solutions using an entropy-weighted TOPSIS method. The solution exhibiting the best trade-off among the four objectives is selected as the decision basis for the water allocation scheme. Taking Jiuquan, Jiayuguan, and Zhangye cities in western Gansu Province as the study area, the results indicate that the optimal allocation scheme can guide the cities to shift from “water-deficit usage” toward “water-saving usage,” achieving a reasonable balance between meeting water demand and water conservation requirements. This promotes coordinated development among the water resource, socio-economic, and ecological subsystems within each city as well as among the cities themselves, thereby facilitating sustainable utilization of water resources and sustainable development of socio-economics and the ecological environment. The findings can serve as a reference for water resource allocation strategies in the study region. Full article

While water conservancy projects continuously enhance flood control and resource allocation capabilities, the adverse impacts on basin systems, particularly the structural disruption of surface water–groundwater continuity, have become increasingly pronounced. Therefore, establishing quantitative assessment of water system connectivity as a critical foundation for optimizing spatial water distribution, maintaining ecohydrological equilibrium, and enhancing flood–drought regulation efficacy is important. Focusing on the regulated reaches of the Panjiakou, Daheiting, and Taolinkou reservoirs in the Luan River Basin, this study established and integrated a three-dimensional assessment framework that synthesizes hydrological processes, hydraulic structural effects, and human activities as three fundamental drivers, and employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to develop a quantitative connectivity evaluation system. Results indicate that water conservancy projects significantly altered basin connectivity: surface water connectivity decreased by 0.40, while groundwater connectivity experienced a minor reduction (0.25) primarily through reservoir seepage. Consequently, the integrated surface–groundwater system declined by 0.39. Critically, project scale governs surface connectivity attenuation intensity, which substantially exceeds impacts on groundwater systems. The comprehensive assessment system developed in this study provides theoretical and methodological support for diagnosing river connectivity, formulating ecological restoration strategies, and protecting basin ecosystems. Full article

A thorough understanding of the chemistry involved in reinjecting heat-depleted geothermal water into poorly consolidated sandstone is vital for the effective design of treatments targeting subsurface rock formations. The intricate chemical interactions occurring within sandstone systems can result in the dissolution of certain minerals and the subsequent precipitation of others, which may significantly contribute to damage within the formation. This process can alter the physical properties of the rock, potentially leading to reduced permeability and other challenges in resource extraction. Thus, it is imperative to monitor not only the concentration of various chemical species present in the geothermal water and sandstone, but also the spatial distribution of these geochemical reactions. By doing so, we can better predict and mitigate their potential adverse effects on rock formations, ensuring the long-term success and efficiency of geothermal energy extraction and other subsurface activities. In this study, we conducted laboratory experiments using both model and natural formation waters, as well as rock samples, to investigate water–rock interactions in a sandstone reservoir in the Szentes area of Hungary. Geochemical models were run with two different thermodynamic databases to simulate laboratory experiments, predict the effects of heat-depleted geothermal water reinjection into the reservoir, and assess predictions of different geochemical databases. Our study shows that calcite dissolves while quartz, kaolinite, and dolomite form. Other mineral reactions, however, remain less certain. The PHREEQC database indicates chlorite dissolution along with the formation of small amounts of feldspars and hematite, whereas the Thermoddem database predicts montmorillonite dissolution and chlorite precipitation. The reservoir porosity and permeability are expected to change over time as a result of mineral reactions. Modeling results, however, indicate negligible porosity changes as the reservoir reaches equilibrium state. The general concept proposed here, which focuses on the geochemical properties of the reinjected water and reservoir, provides a framework for detailed analysis of the geothermal system—a critical step for ensuring sustainable geothermal operations. Full article

Establishing an optimum range of inter-species spacing that reduces competition among trees and mitigates the effects of drought is a critical yet complex challenge in forest management. Stand density plays a crucial role in forest functioning by regulating resource allocation within individual trees. Higher stand densities have been shown to reduce sap velocities, indicating intensified competition for water and other resources. However, determining the precise spacing that minimizes competition while maintaining ecosystem balance remains unclear. In this study, conducted in temperate Norway spruce forests at an altitude range of 400–500 m in the Czech Republic, we propose a novel technique to define tree spacing that reduces competitive interactions. We used xylem sap flow residuals of an ordinary least square (OLS) regression model to filter out the effects of elevation and diameter at breast height (DBH) on field-measured sap flow for 101 planted Norway spruce trees with a DBH range of 40 ± 5 cm (≈90–100 years old). The model residuals allowed us to account for the most important driver of sap flow variability: tree density and its underlying effects on individual tree traits. To minimize the confounding effects of temporal and spatial variability, we used twelve consecutive daily measurements of sap flow (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) taken at the start of the growing season. By constructing an experimental variogram, we quantified sap flow variability as a function of tree spacing. The results showed a steady sap flow pattern at tree densities of 12, 11, and 10 trees per 314 m² (equivalent to 350 ± 32 trees per hectare), corresponding to inter-tree spacing measurements of 5.12 m, 5.34 m, and 5.60 m, respectively. These findings suggest that when the N number of trees (median) per unit area (A) is in equilibrium with resource availability, increasing or decreasing the n number of trees may not significantly change competition levels (A; f(A) = N ± n). The size or deviation of n depends on the area to define the minimum and maximum thresholds or tolerance capacity for the number of trees allowed to be in the area. This technique—using a variogram of sap flow residuals to determine tree spacing—can be periodically applied, such as every 10–15 years, and adapted for different elevation gradients (e.g., within 100 m intervals). It offers a practical tool for forest managers and policymakers, guiding thinning and planting strategies to enhance forest resilience in the face of water-stress conditions. Full article

In the context of continued global population growth and various environmental challenges, the coordinated protection of water resources, energy, and food security has become increasingly important. This study focuses on the uneven distribution of water resources, food, and energy in China, examining the coupling coordination relationship within the Water–Energy–Food nexus (WEF) system from 2006 to 2020 and conducting a quantitative assessment of its spatial equilibrium state. The results indicate the following: (1) The WEF system coupling degree across China’s provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) is above 0.75, suggesting a close interdependence and synergy between water resources, energy, and the food system. Most regions maintain a dynamically balanced coupling coordination state over time, providing theoretical feasibility for optimizing the allocation of cross-regional and cross-system resources. (2) Natural endowments and human activities have a decisive impact on spatial equilibrium differences in the water resources system. The layout of energy production is closely related to equilibrium, and overly concentrated production areas can disrupt spatial equilibrium. Future energy planning must consider the synergistic relationship between production and consumption areas. The proportion of grain output is not positively or negatively correlated with the spatial equilibrium coefficient; if regions with concentrated or sparse grain production cannot coordinate their development, the overall spatial equilibrium level will decline. (3) The spatial equilibrium of the WEF system is superior to that of any single subsystem. Inherent deficiencies in natural endowments can be gradually adapted and maintained through policy adjustments, resource coordination, and regional collaboration, allowing the system to maintain a dynamic balance. Full article

Under the dual pressures of rapid urbanization and intensifying global climate change, China has proposed governance policies aimed at promoting ecological urban construction. Wetland landscapes play a key role in sustaining human and social well-being. As a significant city in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, Wuhan’s wetland resources play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the regional ecological balance and promoting sustainable economic and social development. However, urbanization poses a severe challenge to the ecological service functions of wetlands. Consequently, in this study, we analyzed the spatial–temporal evolution patterns of the sub-functional systems of carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water yield, and water purification in five wetland types in Wuhan City from 2000 to 2020 by using the CASA model and InVEST model. Then, a wetland multi-functional assessment framework was constructed to quantify the comprehensive multi-function score. It is imperative to unravel the underlying mechanisms driving the changes in wetland functions and to explore the equilibrium point between wetland conservation and urban sustainable development. Our results show that the wetland area of Wuhan City decreased from 5077.33 km² in 2000 to 4696.60 km² in 2020, and the wetland multi-functions exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity from 2000 to 2020. Wetland carbon sequestration increased from 0.94 Tg in 2000 to 1.11 Tg in 2020. The wetland habitat quality declined from 0.13 in 2000 to 0.11 in 2020. The water production of the wetlands increased from 5.43 × 10⁹ t in 2000 to 22.59 × 10⁹ t in 2020. The wetland N loss decreased from 55,850.58 t in 2000 to 49,209.93 t in 2020. The highest multi-function score was in paddy fields, which increased from 0.41 ± 0.12 to 0.51 ± 0.12, followed by tidal flats, which increased from 0.39 ± 0.14 to 0.50 ± 0.16, and the lowest was rivers, which also increased from 0.33 ± 0.12 to 0.41 ± 0.14. The multi-function score was closely related to the wetland type and urban development direction over the past two decades, and it was negatively correlated with production and living density, providing new ideas for wetland ecological protection and construction in Wuhan City. Full article

Water resources, energy, and food are fundamental resources for high-quality regional development. In the process of rapid regional economic growth, integrating the utilization of these fundamental resources has become a critical challenge for achieving high-quality development in the Ili River Valley. To explore the coordinated development status of water, energy, and food (W-E-F) in the Ili River Valley, we constructed a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for the regional W-E-F system, and we calculated and analyzed the comprehensive development level, coupling coordination degree, and spatial equilibrium of the W-E-F system from 2008 to 2020. The results indicate that the comprehensive evaluation indicators of the W-E-F system in the Ili River Valley exhibited an overall upward trend, indicating that the system is moving in a positive direction. Among them, the water subsystem’s comprehensive evaluation indicator showed an upward trend but fluctuated significantly during the study period, with the excessive proportion of agricultural water consumption being a key factor affecting its development. Furthermore, the comprehensive evaluation indicator of the energy subsystem showed a slight downward trend, indicating constraints on the development of energy subsystems. Agricultural surface pollution and industrial waste pollution are the primary factors limiting its development. Meanwhile, due to the significant attention from governments at all levels, the food subsystem has been developed rapidly, with its comprehensive evaluation indicator showing a significant upward trend, which shows that the region is actively promoting food production capacity enhancement initiatives. Additionally, the coupling degree of the W-E-F system remained in a state of coordinated coupling, with an average value between 0.7 and 1.0, indicating a high overall development level, and that the development of each resource affects and constrains that of the other two. The coupling coordination degree transitioned through phases of near coordination, primary coordination, good coordination, and moderate coordination, and all counties and cities showed a tendency to evolve towards high coupling, indicating significant potential for the further development of the regional W-E-F system coupling and coordination. Among the subsystems, the food subsystem exhibited the highest spatial equilibrium (0.78) and the smallest spatial disparities, while the energy subsystem demonstrated the lowest spatial equilibrium (0.40) and the largest spatial disparities. There were still significant issues with the utilization and equilibrium of the regional resource allocation, necessitating integrated planning for the coordinated development of the W-E-F system to achieve sustainable resource management and high-quality ecological and economic development. Full article

The Ebinur Lake Basin is an ecologically sensitive area in the arid region of northwest China. In recent years, the ecological environment in the basin has continued to deteriorate, and the ecosystem function has been seriously degraded. However, among the functions of the ecosystem in the Ebinur Lake Basin, the water production function is considered to be the core upholding the ecological equilibrium and security of the basin. Water production can reflect the environmental service function, which is essential for the economic vitality and ecological well-being of the basin. The factors that impact water yield are diverse; moreover, of these, climate change and land use conversion are particularly significant. Therefore, understanding how these changes affect water yield will help to formulate proper water management strategies in the basin. Using the InVEST model, this study examined how the water yield evolved and was distributed across the Ebinur Lake Basin between 2000 and 2020 while considering both the temporal and spatial dimensions. Using this foundation, the scenario analysis approach was utilized to explore the impact of climate change and land use conversion on water yield by controlling the variables, and the response of the water yield to climate and land use change was discussed. It was concluded that water yield was on an upward trend from 2000 to 2010, was on a downward trend from 2010 to 2020, and declined from 2000 to 2020 as a whole. Regarding the water yield distribution, higher-water-producing areas were found predominantly in the northwest and southeast and along the higher-altitude rim of the basin. Among the various land categories, the primary types were grassland and unused land, both of which equally and substantially contributed to the water yield, contributing over 85% to the overall water yield. The response of the water yield varied significantly among various land use types when their areas changed, and the land conversion over this period contributed to a slight decline in water yield across the basin. The influence of climate change on water yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin during the study period surpassed that of land use by a wide margin, constituting more than 86% of the total impact. This study can provide relevant information for relevant policies and decisions on the optimal allocation of land use in the Ebinur Lake Basin and can provide scientific development for the comprehensive evaluation of water resources and sustainable development of the basin. Full article

With global climate change and accelerating urbanization, marine cities face unique environmental challenges. Ecological landscape creation is a form of design planning guided by the disciplines of landscape ecology and ecological aesthetics in the process of urban planning and construction. It seeks a design that can maintain the virtuous cycle of the ecosystem and at the same time maintain the spatial equilibrium of the dynamic development of urban landscapes, so as to make them have good ecological functions and corridor functions. The aim of this study is to explore the ecological design methods of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces under the concept of sustainability. We first reviewed the concept of sustainable development and its application to urban green space design, especially the special requirements in the marine urban environment. This research focuses on how to select plant species that are adapted to the marine climate and how to promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and improve the quality of life of urban residents through eco-design approaches. Through the analysis of a number of domestic and international cases of green spaces in marine cities, we found that effective eco-design is not only about choosing the right plant species but also includes the rational management of water resources, soil protection, and ecosystem restoration, among other aspects. This study also points out that public participation and interdisciplinary cooperation play a crucial role in the ecological design process. Finally, this paper carries out a specific analysis of the landscape model landscape evaluation system for the ecological design of plant landscaping in marine urban green spaces and experimentally verifies that, compared with other styles, the experience of the European-style landscape is good overall. However, the view openness rating of the European style landscape is only about 0.42, and the best plant landscaping is the mixed mode of alkali poncho and salt poncho. This study aims to provide a practical reference and guidance for urban planners, landscape architects, and environmentalists. Full article

Water, soil, and heat are strategic supporting elements for human survival and social development. The degree of matching between human-land-water-heat elements directly influences the sustainable development of a region. However, the current evaluation of the matching of human-land-water-heat elements overlooks the influence of elevation factors on the matching results, especially evident in mountainous areas. Taking the Yunnan Plateau with distinctive mountainous features as the research subject, divided into 11 elevation ranges, the Lorenz Gini coefficient, asymmetry coefficient, matching distance, and imbalance index are used to assess the spatial matching and balance of human-land-water-heat elements. A projection tracing model is employed to analyze its water resource carrying capacity. Analyses revealed that the Gini coefficient of monthly precipitation from the 1950s to 2022 on the Yunnan Plateau increases with increasing latitude, whereas the correlation with elevation is notably lower. The asymmetry coefficient increases gradually from west to east with change in longitude. The mismatch of the human–land–water–heat system in regions at different elevations is in the order 1800–2000 m > 2000–2200 m > 1400–1600 m > 800 m > other areas. The matching of the human–land–water–heat system in different wet–dry years and seasons also fluctuates with elevation, resulting in serious seasonal drought and water shortage problems in mountainous areas with elevations of 1200–1600, 1800–2000 m, and >2600 m. The spatial equilibrium of temperature and precipitation in regions of different elevations is best, followed by that of cultivated land, while that of the population is the worst. The Gini coefficients for different water cycle processes of precipitation, surface runoff, and regulating storage capacity for water supply continue to increase. Specifically, the Gini coefficient of industrial water supply is the highest, reaching 0.576, and that of agricultural irrigation is the lowest (0.424). Through artificial regulation of lake and reservoir water, seasonal changes in the demand for agricultural irrigation water are offset to achieve a demand–supply balance and matching of land and water resources. The water resource capacity of different elevation ranges is evenly underloaded. However, the potential of the water resource capacity varies obviously with elevation in the order 2000–2200 m < 1800–2000 m < 1600–8000 m < 1400–1600 m < other areas. It appears that the greater the human–land–water–heat system mismatch, the smaller the regional potential of the water resource capacity. Full article

Cities located in the plain river network area possess abundant water resources. However, due to urbanization and industrialization, there is a severe water shortage problem caused by poor water quality. To overcome this issue, a multi-objective optimal allocation model of water quantity and quality is proposed. The model considers regional water resources, economic, social, and environmental requirements and uses the NSGA-II genetic algorithm for model solution. Furthermore, to evaluate and analyze the degree of spatial equilibrium of regional water resources and how it relates to economic factors, the study uses the spatial equilibrium theory of water resources and the Gini coefficient of water resources. Jingjiang, a city in Jiangsu Province characterized by a typical plain river network area, was selected as the study area. The results of the optimal allocation of water resources in Jingjiang City show that: (1) total water consumption and chemical oxygen demand (COD) emissions for the current planning period are within their respective limits. In addition, the implementation of the water conservation program has resulted in a 5% reduction in total water shortages and a reduction of COD emissions by 1276 tons, (2) the structure of the water supply in Jingjiang City has been optimized; more than 90% of Ⅳ~V surface water is used for agriculture, and the domestic water supply is mainly from transit water, which effectively ensures that high-quality water is used in the domestic water supply, (3) the spatial equilibrium coefficient of water resources per sub-area is between 0.33 and 0.74, indicating an unbalanced or almost unbalanced level. The application of a water conservation program has resulted in the improvement of the spatial equilibrium level of water resources in each sub-area, with an overall spatial equilibrium of 0.64, indicating a more balanced level; the degree of matching of water resources with population, GDP, and land area is at the matching level, (4) according to the Gini coefficient of the distribution of water resources, the plains river network area displays a better match between water resources and economic and social factors of each water receiving area, thanks to its unique geographical location and natural conditions. This study can serve as a decision-making reference for addressing the urban water quality water shortage problem in the plain river network area. Full article

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) has undergone profound climate and land-use change. These transformations are anticipated to affect the availability of water resources, potentially causing substantial perturbations to the equilibrium between water availability and societal needs. Consequently, research is warranted to explore the ramifications of climate and land-use change on the water provision service, particularly their impacts on the delicate equilibrium between supply and demand. To quantify the water supply–demand relationship, this study introduces the water supply and demand index (WSDR). This study examines the impacts of climate and land-use change on the actual evapotranspiration, water yield, and WSDR in the YRB from 1995 to 2019. According to the results, the YRB experienced an increase in forest land by 4.72%, grassland by 1.71%, and a substantial surge of 595.36% in construction land; however, cropland witnessed a decrease of 5.95%. The climate exhibited a discernible wetting trend (3.38 mm/year, p < 0.01). The actual evapotranspiration significantly increased by 2.45 mm/year (p < 0.01), but this increase was not substantial enough to result in a decline in the water yield, since precipitation also increased. The annual water demand depth demonstrated a statistically significant increasing trend (0.13 mm/year, p < 0.01), but this increase was not sufficient to cause a decrease in the WSDR, since the water yield also increased (0.94 mm/year). Land use had a significantly negative effect on the water yield and WSDR, but this negative effect was offset by the positive effects of climate variability. At the basin scale, there exists a surplus of water resources (WSDR > 0). Nevertheless, regions grappling with water resource deficits (WSDR < 0) have witnessed an increase from 18% in 1995 to 26% in 2019. This indicates that the primary water resource problem in the YRB is the uneven spatial distribution of water resources. Hence, implementing spatial management strategies at larger scales may be instrumental in mitigating water scarcity in the region. These findings can serve as a valuable reference for the management of water resources, as well as for basin planning and construction. Full article

A physical property of a shale gas reservoir affects shale gas content, then restricts the shale gas resource potential. In this paper, lithofacies and spatial distribution of the southern margin of the Junggar Basin in Xinjiang Province are identified and occurrence strata, gas content, and reservoir properties of shale gas are studied. Based on adsorption potential theory, adsorption and surface free energy of all the sample is discussed. The conclusions are as follows. (1) All the shale samples can be divided into five lithological phases. For example, black oil shale/shale (lithology) phase and gray-black-gray/dolomite mudstone (lithology) phase are the most developed; compared with the middle and lower sections, the vertical development continuity of the upper hydrocarbon source rock is better. Lithology of this section is mainly composed of shale mixed with marlstone and dolomite interlayer. From the horizontal view of this section, the overall trend is gradually thickening from west to east and from north to south. (2) Semi-deep lake-phase is the most developed, indicating a decreasing trend of thickness from sedimentary center to surrounding strata. (3) Sedimentary period of Lucaogou Formation is a deep water area of the lake basin; then, the TOC content is affected by the sedimentary environment. As sedimentary water depth increases, TOC content will increase, which results in the highest TOC content in the area. A specific surface area is roughly positively correlated with porosity, clay mineral content, and percentage of illite/montmorillonite interlayer ratio and negatively correlated with TOC content. (4) During the adsorption process, adsorption potential decreases with an increase in equilibrium pressure, and adsorption space increases with an increase in equilibrium pressure. Maximum adsorption space of all the sample were 0.20~0.25 cm³·g⁻¹; then, its value is larger than the maximum adsorption space of other coal samples (0.025~0.20 cm³·g⁻¹). In the same adsorption space, the corresponding adsorption potential of the coal sample is much larger than that of other samples. The reason is that the porosity permeability of this sample is relatively larger, leading to its better physical properties. Full article

The Yangtze River Economic Belt, as crucial component of China’s “T-shaped” strategy for territorial development and economic layout, has been challenged by the unbalanced spatial distribution of water resources, which has seriously affected high-quality development in harmony with the social economy and ecological environmental protection. In this study, we aim to enhance the conceptual definition of water resource spatial equilibrium. Additionally, we propose a water resource spatial equilibrium evaluation model based on a variable set and partial connection number. This model effectively addresses the limitations of traditional methods by incorporating fuzzy indices and dynamic information, which have previously been overlooked. The spatiotemporal characteristics and future evolutionary trend of water resource spatial equilibrium were analyzed in 11 provinces and 110 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 1999 to 2018. The results showed that the conceptual definition of water resource spatial equilibrium involves the water resource endowment, water resource development, water resource utilization, water resource supply and demand, water resource matching, and water resource protection. The water resource spatial equilibrium in the 11 provinces gradually improved following a temporal trend; in terms of the spatial trend, the south was better than the north and the west was better than the east. These provinces were sorted as follows: Yunnan > Sichuan > Zhejiang > Jiangxi > Hunan Province > Guizhou > Hubei > Chongqing > Anhui > Jiangsu > Shanghai. The evolutionary trend increased except in Yunnan. The water resource spatial equilibrium of the 110 cities showed that the spatial trends of the three major urban agglomerations were much better than in the other regions, and the temporal trend steadily improved. The 11 provinces and 110 cities could be divided into three and five categories, respectively, according to their spatiotemporal trends. City-scale research on water resource spatial equilibrium can effectively identify and optimize the control area compared with using a provincial scale. When the control targets were set to 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, the proportion of the administrative area based on the city scale decreased by 1.20%, 4.99%, 10.52%, and 19.05%, respectively. Full article