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Transforming flash floods into resources in arid China

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  • Zhang, Junze
  • Yu, Zhongqi
  • Yu, Tengfei
  • Si, Jianhua
  • Feng, Qi
  • Cao, Shixiong

Abstract

Flooding causes huge economic losses, yet the flood water is an important resource, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. Because rivers flood annually, most flooding research has focused on river management. Researchers have largely ignored the resource potential of flash floods, as they are less predictable. Here, we describe an innovative project in which disaster management planners in a dryland community in northwestern China treated flash floods as a resource rather than as a threat, and helped the community to benefit from this resource. The project produced ecological benefits (combating desertification), social benefits (flood control), and economic benefits (harvesting water for future use) that improved the community’s adaptive capacity and facilitated sustainable development. This example should inspire risk managers to seek ways to transform natural disasters into resources, thereby improving hazard management and promoting community survival and development.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Junze & Yu, Zhongqi & Yu, Tengfei & Si, Jianhua & Feng, Qi & Cao, Shixiong, 2018. "Transforming flash floods into resources in arid China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 746-753.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:76:y:2018:i:c:p:746-753
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.03.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Saleh A. Sefry & Ahmed M. Youssef & Emad Y. AbuAlfadael & Mazen M. AbuAbdullah, 2023. "Flood peak discharge and volume runoff envelope curves for 100-year return period for the arid region: Saudi Arabia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 115(2), pages 1439-1460, January.
    2. Cai, Zhaoyang & Liu, Zhexi & Zuo, Siming & Cao, Shixiong, 2019. "Finding a Peaceful Road to Urbanization in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 560-563.
    3. Linda J. Watkin & Laddaporn Ruangpan & Zoran Vojinovic & Sutat Weesakul & Arlex Sanchez Torres, 2019. "A Framework for Assessing Benefits of Implemented Nature-Based Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-25, November.

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