CHANS-Net: The International Network of Research on Coupled Human and Natural Systems

Journal or Book Title: JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION

DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145093

Abstract: Physical-virtual water cycle (PVWC) encompasses processes such as physical water uptake, physical water dissipation and virtual water embedding. Against the background of global water scarcity, understanding PVWC and its evolutionary patterns can support critical resource management. This study develops a PVWC model based on urban metabolism theory, analyzing PVWC characteristics in 30 provinces and 28 sectors in China using material flow analysis (MFA) and input-output analysis (IOA). Results from a long-term accounting series reveal PVWC's spatial and temporal evolution. An evaluation index system comprising natural, economic, and social subsystems was established to assess the synergy between PVWC and economic development. Findings show that from 2007 to 2017, human activities - such as groundwater over-exploitation and interregional water transfers - significantly altered the natural water cycle. Physical water consumption rose initially, then declined, while groundwater use decreased and alternative sources (e.g., rainwater) remained minimal. Inter-provincial virtual water flows exacerbate regional disparities in water resource pressures, weakening in intensity but broadening in scope. The coupling coordination degree between PVWC efficiency and economic development exhibits a stepwise distribution, higher in the east than in the west, transitioning from multi-core to cluster-type characteristics. Strengthening the influence of core cities is essential for balanced regional development. This study provides a theoretical basis and empirical insights for optimizing water resource allocation and fostering coordinated economic and ecological water management.

Type of Publication: Article