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Spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of irrigation water demands in China

Author

Listed:
  • Fan, Suning
  • Liu, Tongbing
  • Zou, Minzhong
  • Fang, Yu
  • Niu, Jun
  • Kang, Shaozhong

Abstract

China faces significant challenges due to escalating irrigation water demands and constrained water resources. However, comprehensive national-level analyses of irrigation water demands integrating multiple crops, spatial scales, and driving factors remain scarce. This study addresses this gap by examining the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of irrigation water demand in China from 2000 to 2018, leveraging the Spatial Production Allocation Model (SPAM) dataset and applying the Penman-Monteith model and a multi-regional Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) decomposition approach. During the study period, the Net irrigation water demand (NW) peaked at 250.68 G m³ in 2013, with significant declines in the South and East but increases in the water-scarce North and Northwest. Rice dominated national NW, contributing 46–52 % of the total, while regional expansion in rice and cotton cultivation drove significant NW growth in the Northeast and Northwest. The Gross irrigation water demand (GW) exhibited a national decrease of 76.65 G m³, and the impacts of four driving factors -water saving technology, planting scale, planting patterns, and climate change - varied over time and across regions. Water-saving technology emerged as the most significant factor in reducing GW, offsetting 90.92 G m³ nationally. However, the expansion of irrigated farmland added 47.96 G m³, particularly in arid regions. Climate change exhibited regionally diverse impacts (-10.35–4.17 G m³), underscoring the need for targeted water management interventions. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing crop patterns, advancing irrigation technologies, and formulating region-specific policies to enhance agricultural water management and ensure food security in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Fan, Suning & Liu, Tongbing & Zou, Minzhong & Fang, Yu & Niu, Jun & Kang, Shaozhong, 2025. "Spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of irrigation water demands in China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:312:y:2025:i:c:s0378377425001647
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109450
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Han, Xin & Ma, Zhongxin & Zhang, Baozhong & Peng, Zhigong & Zhang, Kai & Li, Xin, 2025. "Regional dynamics in the irrigation requirement of maize and wheat crops in relation to changes in the climate and cultivated area in the Shandong’s Yellow River Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    2. Hou, Miao & Yang, Xing & Zhang, Wenye & Guo, Yugeng & Qi, Fei & Zhai, Linpeng & He, Chaozhen, 2026. "Characterization of single-cropping rice net irrigation water requirements in China's major rice-producing regions using time-frequency domain methods," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    3. Gaowei Yan & Luguang Jiang & Ye Liu, 2025. "Remote Sensing Identification of Major Crops and Trade-Off of Water and Land Utilization of Oasis in Altay Prefecture," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-28, July.
    4. Teng, Kuixiu & Meng, Shilong & Liu, Yunqi, 2025. "Can alternating irrigation technology drive water saving in agricultural irrigation? Evidence from China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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