Evaluation of regional water cycle health based on EFAST-cloud model: A case study of Henan Province, China

• Published in: Water policy Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 177 - 199
• Main Authors: Liu, Peiheng, Han, Yuping, Lü, Subing, Wang, Fuqiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IWA Publishing 01.03.2023
• Subjects: cloud model; efast method; fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method; henan province; water cycle health
• ISSN: 1366-7017; 1996-9759
• DOI: 10.2166/wp.2023.167

Abstract The regional water cycle is increasingly reflecting the dual role of natural and social processes, and is affected by global climate change and strong human intervention. The study of water cycle health evaluation has provided guidance to urban planning, development, and resource management. In this study, a water cycle health evaluation method based on EFAST-Cloud model is proposed, and Henan Province of China is selected as a typical study area. The water cycle health status is evaluated from four dimensions of water ecology, water quality, water abundance, and water utilization. The evaluation results are compared with those of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation as well. It is shown that the established EFAST-Cloud model results of assessment are consistent with the Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, while it has the advantage of being able to evaluate the proportion of each grade in detail by reflecting the randomness and fuzziness of the evaluation. According to the statistical data from 2007 to 2018, the whole area is in a sub-healthy state. During the 12-year period, the health status of the water cycle has been improved year by year. The research results can provide theoretical basis for repairing regional water environment and promoting regional sustainability.