Evolution of the human-water relationships in the Heihe River basin in the past 2000 years

摘要: This paper quantitatively analyzed the evolution of human–water relationships in Heihe River basin northern China over past 2000 years by reconstructing catchment water balance partitioning precipitation into evapotranspiration and runoff. The results provided basis for investigating impacts societies on hydrological systems. Based transition theory rates changes population, human consumption area natural oases, can be divided four stages: predevelopment (206 BC–AD 1368), take-off (AD 1368–1949), acceleration 1949–2000), start a rebalancing between ecological needs (post AD 2000). Our analysis evolutionary process revealed that there were large differences rate scale period which they occurred. relationship had no fixed pattern. understanding dynamics will assist policy makers identifying management practices require improvement how today's problems created past, may lead to more sustainable future.