Agricultural Water Sustainability Evaluation in Guangdong Province of China Through Perspective of Water Footprint

  • Abstract: The agricultural water footprint (AWF) is intricately linked to water-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study developed a multi-dimensional indicator framework integrating AWF with social, economic, and ecological metrics to elucidate the spatiotemporal evolution of agricultural water sustainability in Guangdong Province, China, from 2010 to 2020. By disaggregating AWF into green (soil moisture), blue (surface/groundwater), and grey (pollution-related) components, we identified the dominate drivers of sustainability transitions and proposed context-specific policy interventions. Key findings include: 1) a 6.98% reduction in total AWF (from 19.35 to 18.00 km3) was detected, accompanied by a 14.46% improvement in the agricultural water sustainability level. 2) Green water dominated (78.28% of total footprint) the AWF, while blue (19.29%) and grey water (2.43%) contributed less and exhibited lowered degree of spatial variability; 3) Within the crop system, rice (Oryza sativa) accounted for nearly 60% of the AWF, and vegetables (Vegetabilia) shared around 20%, while the rest three crops (peanut (Arachis hypogaea), banana (Musa acuminata) and oranges (Citrus sinensis)) contributed another 20%. 4) Western Guangdong consumed higher AWF per area, reaching 1.59 times the provincial average due to the climate and cropping system, whereas eastern regions consumed disproportionate blue water, around 1.76 times the provincial average for irrigated crop production. Optimizing AWF governance strengthens food security by enhancing blue water utilization efficiency in rice production is recommended, especially in eastern Guangdong. The formulation of rice-specific AWF benchmarks facilitates data-driven water resource policies, while strategic greywater management interventions would effectively reduce environmental burdens. Context-specific strategies, such as incorporating organic fertilizer promotion, integrating constructed wetlands, rainwater capture infrastructure, and market-based regulatory tools would synergistically improve crop productivity, diminish pollutant loads, and bolster agricultural water sustainability.

     

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