The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops
The original intention of virtual water trade (VWT) is to help water-scarce areas adjust the crop trade structure to alleviate the water shortage problem. However, China’s existing virtual water trade (VWT) must effectively alleviate the problem. This paper’s structural features and stability of the...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/24/4083 |
| _version_ | 1797454884111384576 |
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| author | Xuan Liang Aihua Long Jiawen Yu |
| author_facet | Xuan Liang Aihua Long Jiawen Yu |
| author_sort | Xuan Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The original intention of virtual water trade (VWT) is to help water-scarce areas adjust the crop trade structure to alleviate the water shortage problem. However, China’s existing virtual water trade (VWT) must effectively alleviate the problem. This paper’s structural features and stability of the VWT network (VWTN) in China’s major crop trade between 2000 and 2017 were characterized using complex network theory. The results in terms of time scale showed that the total content of VW in China’s major crops increased by ~23.6% for 18 years. Trade relations among most regions remained stable, whereas a few areas changed: Jilin, Henan, and Heilongjiang played essential roles in the output network, and so did Guangdong, Shanghai, and Fujian in the input network. Attributed to policy adjustment, Henan and Jilin became more prominent in the output network with the gradual decline of Jiangsu’s position. Regarding spatial scale, the cumulative distribution of degrees consistent with the power–law relationship showed high variability and vulnerability of China’s VWTN, especially when nodes were weighted. Since areas with more VWT partners/content provided connectivity to those with fewer partners/content, it is worthwhile to focus on developing protection policies for critical areas. The virtual water trade from North China (water-poor) to South China (water-rich) is contrary to the distribution of water resources. A similar situation showed in a global world that the long-term supply relationship would aggravate the water resources shortage and food security. Furthermore, we suggest combining network theory and VWT to lay the foundation for the invulnerability research of VWTN and the optimal regulation of crops. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:43:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2266cc702c124e379928e72595958350 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:43:32Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-2266cc702c124e379928e725959583502023-11-24T18:42:36ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-12-011424408310.3390/w14244083The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major CropsXuan Liang0Aihua Long1Jiawen Yu2College of Water and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaCollege of Water and Architectural Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, ChinaZhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou 313300, ChinaThe original intention of virtual water trade (VWT) is to help water-scarce areas adjust the crop trade structure to alleviate the water shortage problem. However, China’s existing virtual water trade (VWT) must effectively alleviate the problem. This paper’s structural features and stability of the VWT network (VWTN) in China’s major crop trade between 2000 and 2017 were characterized using complex network theory. The results in terms of time scale showed that the total content of VW in China’s major crops increased by ~23.6% for 18 years. Trade relations among most regions remained stable, whereas a few areas changed: Jilin, Henan, and Heilongjiang played essential roles in the output network, and so did Guangdong, Shanghai, and Fujian in the input network. Attributed to policy adjustment, Henan and Jilin became more prominent in the output network with the gradual decline of Jiangsu’s position. Regarding spatial scale, the cumulative distribution of degrees consistent with the power–law relationship showed high variability and vulnerability of China’s VWTN, especially when nodes were weighted. Since areas with more VWT partners/content provided connectivity to those with fewer partners/content, it is worthwhile to focus on developing protection policies for critical areas. The virtual water trade from North China (water-poor) to South China (water-rich) is contrary to the distribution of water resources. A similar situation showed in a global world that the long-term supply relationship would aggravate the water resources shortage and food security. Furthermore, we suggest combining network theory and VWT to lay the foundation for the invulnerability research of VWTN and the optimal regulation of crops.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/24/4083virtual water tradecomplex networkstructural characteristicChina |
| spellingShingle | Xuan Liang Aihua Long Jiawen Yu The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops Water virtual water trade complex network structural characteristic China |
| title | The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops |
| title_full | The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops |
| title_fullStr | The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops |
| title_short | The Structural Characteristics of the Virtual Water Trade Network of the China’s Major Crops |
| title_sort | structural characteristics of the virtual water trade network of the china s major crops |
| topic | virtual water trade complex network structural characteristic China |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/24/4083 |
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