Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Contributing Factors of Irrigation Water Use in the Loess Plateau

Jiayu He, Yayun Hu, Luocheng Shi, Haitao Wang, Yan Tong, Wen Dai and Mengmeng Zhang ()
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Jiayu He: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Yayun Hu: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Luocheng Shi: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Haitao Wang: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Yan Tong: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Wen Dai: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
Mengmeng Zhang: School of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: The “Grain for Green” policy has led to a reduction in cultivated land area in the Loess Plateau, intensifying the conflict between ecological conservation and food security. As a key strategy to mitigate this tension, irrigated farmland has undergone significant changes in both its spatial extent and water consumption, which may further exacerbate the water crisis. Hence, the spatio-temporal dynamics and driving forces behind these changes require greater attention and have not yet been comprehensively explored. This study integrates multi-source datasets and employs piecewise linear regression and the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution of cultivated land and irrigation water use. Furthermore, it quantifies the contributions of key factors such as cultivated land area, irrigation intensity, and crop planting structure to irrigation water dynamics. The results show that (1) The total cultivated land area in the Loess Plateau decreased by 12.4% from 1985 to 2020, with increases primarily concentrated along the Yellow River between Hekou and Longmen, while decreases were predominantly observed around major cities such as Xi’an, Taiyuan, and Yuncheng. Conversely, the irrigated area exhibited an overall upward trend, with minor declines occurring between 1977 and 1985. (2) While the total irrigation water use increased overall, piecewise linear regression analysis identified four distinct phases, with the first three phases showing growth, followed by a decline after 2001. (3) The expansion of agricultural irrigation areas emerged as the primary driver of increased irrigation water use, whereas advancements in irrigation efficiency effectively reduced water consumption. This study provides novel insights into the spatio-temporal dynamics of irrigation water use in the Loess Plateau and offers valuable guidance for optimizing water resource management and advancing sustainable development in the region.

Keywords: loess PLATEAU; water-saving irrigation; LMDI model; spatio-temporal analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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