Decision support for optimal allocation of water resources in arid inland river basin

An integrated framework was developed for supporting water resource allocation in arid inland river basin, focusing on the Heihe River Basin in northwest China. The research addresses the challenge of balancing food security and ecological sustainability under water scarcity. A multi-scale, multi-objective optimization model is proposed to improve water use efficiency and ecosystem resilience while maintaining agricultural productivity. Key components include ecological quality assessment using remote sensing, spatial evapotranspiration estimation, and crop planting structure optimization. The model integrates ecological, water, and food security objectives, showing significant improvements in crop suitability, irrigation efficiency, and downstream ecological health. Then, a decision support system (DSS) is developed to operationalize the framework, incorporating interval, fuzzy, and stochastic programming to address uncertainties and complexities in basin. The DSS provides practical water allocation solutions at regional, irrigation district, and farmland scales, promoting sustainable water use and ecological balance. This research offers a robust approach to managing water resources in arid regions, with implications for addressing climate change and ecological degradation. The findings are relevant for policymakers and stakeholders working toward sustainable development in water-scarce environments. This study contributes to advancements in hydrology, ecosystem science, and water resource management under global environmental change.