Abstract:
Virtual water adds a new dimension to crop trades a
nd provides a new way of thinking
about water scarcity. A systematic analysis of virt
ual water flows requires integration of
all critical drivers of virtual water flows under a
single consistent framework. The aim of
this study was to assess virtual water flows relate
d to trades of grain crops (wheat, corn,
rice, and coarse cereals) and their influencing fac
tors in Hetao irrigation district, China
during 1981-2010. Results indicated that: (1) volum
e of virtual water export decreased
from 2.08×10
9
m
3
in 1981 to 1.27×10
9
m
3
in 2010. Volume of virtual water import
fluctuated around 621.48×10
6
m
3
during study period; (2) Cultivated area per capit
a and
total population were the major influencing factors
for virtual water export in Hetao
irrigation district. Volume of virtual water import
was mainly influenced by consumption
and retail price index of grain crops. Combination
of large volume of virtual water export
and severely constrained water resources confronted
Hetao irrigation district with great
challenges in its sustainable development. Decreasi
ng virtual water export is a mean to
alleviate regional water shortage pressure, and may
be achieved by measures that
constrain continued population expansion.
Keywords:
Cereal crop, Embedded water, Irrigated area.
