Research on water resources carrying capacity evaluation based on innovative RCC method

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2022-06, Vol.139, p.108876, Article 108876
• Main Authors: Wang, Tianzi, Jian, Shengqi, Wang, Jiayi, Yan, Denghua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: China; Cloud model; Henan, China; quantitative analysis; R clustering; WRCC
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.108876

[Display omitted] •Extensive collection of available water resources carrying capacity indicators.•Screening available indexes by R-cluster coefficient of variation method.•The number of WRCC indicators in Henan decreased from 81 to 30.•The cloud model is used to evaluate the water resources carrying capacity.•Henan’s water resources carrying capacity improve from overload to weakly loadable. Scientific assessment of water resources carrying capacity (WRCC) is the basis for implementing water resources protection measures. To make the evaluation more objective and reasonable, this study created a WRCC evaluation method based on R-clustering-variance coefficient method coupled with cloud model (RCC) for the state study of WRCC in a specific region. The study collected and summarized the available indicators through the review of existing studies to build a database of extensively selected indicators, and also combined with the characteristics of the study area to construct the initial indicators database. Then the indicators were categorized into 12 factor layers under the concept of water resources carrying subjects and objects, and the R clustering-variance coefficient method was introduced to screen the indicators to construct a concise and effective evaluation index system. Finally, combined with the cloud model to identify the comprehensive state of WRCC, the quantitative expression of WRCC was realized. Taking Henan Province of China as the research area, a total of 81 available indicators were collected, and an evaluation index system composed of 30 indicators was constructed after screening. During the evaluation years of 2005–2017, the WRCC level in Henan Province gradually raised from level IV (overload) to level II (weakly bearable), and the results of the study were stable and consistent with the changing trend of existing studies. The study can provide new ideas for the evaluation indicators selection and quantitative evaluation of water resources carrying capacity or other carrying capacity for a specific county, city, or provincial study area.