Replenishable but Depletable Resource: Water

This chapter focuses on the characterization of water resources globally and in particular in China, as well as their use and management. Section 5.1 introduces the concept of water resources, describing the importance of water resources for human beings, flora and fauna, environmental systems and economic and social development, and then describes the main sources of water resources and their characteristics. Section 5.2 introduces the current status of water resources, starting with the total amount of water resources globally and in China, and then describing the spatial distribution of water resources globally and in China. Section 5.3 introduces the allocation of water resources, firstly introducing the concepts and rules of rational allocation of water resources and its practice in China, and then describing the allocation system, including water transfers, water markets and water prices. Section 5.4 introduces water rights management, firstly giving the concept of water rights management, then analyzing the development and use of water resources and the effectiveness of pollution control in China, and finally proposing water security measures. Section 5.5 summarizes the above.