Fu et al. (2026) Multi-objective optimal allocation of agricultural water and land resources in the Yellow River Basin: Coupling of quantitative structure and spatial allocation

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-10-12
• Authors: Huiqiang Fu, Dengshuai Chen, 段艺芳 DUAN Yifang, Hanxue Peng, Runqi Zhang, Zheng Huang
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110845

Research Groups

• School of Geography and Environment, Liaocheng University
• Institute of Huanghe Studies, Liaocheng University
• College of Applied Arts and Science, Beijing Union University

Short Summary

This study integrates a multi-objective optimization model, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III) algorithm, the MaxEnt model, and a spatial optimization model to construct a multi-objective spatial optimization framework for agricultural water and land resources in the Yellow River Basin. The framework couples quantitative structural optimization with spatial allocation simulation.

Objective

• Multi-objective optimal allocation of agricultural water and land resources in the Yellow River Basin

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional scale, covering nine provinces along the Yellow River
• Temporal Scale: Four distinct scenarios: agricultural water-saving priority scenario (S1), agricultural energy-saving priority scenario (S2), economic benefit priority scenario (S3), and synergistic development scenario (S4)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: NSGA-III algorithm, MaxEnt model, spatial optimization model
• Data sources: Crop growth parameters, socioeconomic data, remote sensing data pertaining to soil properties, meteorology, topography, river networks, bioclimatic variables, land use, crop distribution, and groundwater depth

Main Results

• Under water-saving scenario (S1), the Northern Arid and Semi-arid Region (NAR) shows strong adaptability, with wheat, maize, and soybean increasing by 5.62%-16.04%
• Under energy-saving scenario (S2), soybean area expands across entire basin, with the largest increase of 19.84% in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain Region (HHHPR)
• Under economic benefit scenario (S3), NAR and HHHPR demonstrate strong production potential
• Under coordinated development scenario (S4), all crop areas in the Sichuan Basin Region (SBR) decrease

Contributions

• The framework can serve as a methodological reference for other regions facing similar agricultural planning challenges
• It provides a scientific foundation and practical guidance for enhancing grain production and sustainable resource management in the Yellow River Basin

Funding

• This study was funded by [insert funding projects, programs, and reference codes]

Citation

@article{Fu2026Multiobjective,
  author = {Fu, Huiqiang and Chen, Dengshuai and Yifang, 段艺芳 DUAN and Peng, Hanxue and Zhang, Runqi and Huang, Zheng},
  title = {Multi-objective optimal allocation of agricultural water and land resources in the Yellow River Basin: Coupling of quantitative structure and spatial allocation},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110845},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110845}
}