Regional Response of Ecological Effects of Cascade Reservoirs Development within the Maotiaohe River Watershed

Studying regional ecological effects of water conservancy projects plays a significant role in improving water resources use efficiency and reducing negative effects of the water conservancy projects. In this study, the authors took the environmental impact of water conservancy projects and the resulting regional response to ecosystems as a subject. Based on a cascade development concept model of ecological effects of regional response of the Maotiao River watershed, mutual contact and restraint ecosystems, including river ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems, and human living and production systems, were analyzed and summarized according to the level order of regional response of ecological effects at the temporal scale and ecological spatial scale. A comprehensive analysis was performed on the regional response of non-ecological and ecological variables in the above-mentioned three ecosystems in the Maotiao River watershed. Regional ecological effects of water conservancy projects in the Maotiao River watershed were analyzed in terms of 1) regional response of non-ecological and ecological variables, such as hydrological regime and water quantity, water quality and water environment, and aquatic community of river ecosystems, 2) regional response of non-ecological and ecological variables, such as air quality, regional climate change, and other terrestrial vegetation and wildlife of terrestrial ecosystems, and 3) regional response of land resources, cultivated land area, and population health, etc. of human living and production systems. It was found that the watershed development has resulted in population growth, industry concentration, social development, as well as a series of irreversible ecological and environmental problems which made the contradiction between people and land more acute. Therefore, for a watershed in which the cascade development has been achieved, much effort should be made to shift the industrial structure from high energy consumption, high pollution, and heavy industry to other industries so as to improve resources value and mitigate its ecological negative effects as well. This study also warns that watersheds in which cascade development is about to be launched or cascade development is being undertaken should take into account the effects of construction of dams and other water conservation projects on the environment and ecology. Meanwhile, a reasonable compensation mechanism could be built to coordinate the relationship between various stakeholders to ensure the sustainable development of community, economy, and environment in the watershed.