Author(s)

Zehong Li, Suocheng Dong, Qiliang Mao

Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039.
Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101.

This paper constructed the water footprint responsiveness model of urbanization, calculated the urbanization index and water footprint of Liangzhou District in Wuwei Oasis from 1985 to 2006, simulated the response function between the water footprint and integrated urbanization index, and then calculated the water footprint comprehensive responsiveness of urbanization in different periods. The research showed that, the response function between the water footprint and urbanization index is an approximately cubic function with curve resembles with the first half of “S”. The water footprint increased when the urbanization level rose, but the growth rate reduced gradually. The water footprint per capita responsiveness of urbanization was low and its boost was mainly derived from the strengthening agricultural development, urbanization had not yet alleviated the intensity of agricultural development. The non-agricultural water footprint per capita responsiveness was high and non-agricultural water footprint was more sensitive to urbanization, so water-saving type urbanization must be chosen in oasis areas.

urbanization; water footprint; responsiveness; oasis areas