Mapping and assessing freshwater ecosystem services supply and demand in Inner Mongolia (China).

Context: As water demands continue to increase, the contradiction between water supply and demand is becoming increasingly severe, as is the case in Inner Mongolia's arid and semiarid areas. However, the relationship between water supply and demand in watersheds must be better understood. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the relationship between the supply and demand of freshwater resources for the sustainable utilization of regional water resources. Objectives: Taking the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the study area, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial relationships between water supply and demand in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018. Methods: The InVEST model and water resources bulletin were used to assess water resource supply and demand. The differences between the years were assessed using analysis of variance and the correlations applying Pearson correlation. Results: We observed a mismatch between the supply and demand of water resources. Water resources are in short supply in 44% of the watersheds, especially in the central and western regions. The difference in the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation and increased human water demand were the main reasons for the contradiction between regional water supply and demand. Conclusions: This study provides corresponding water resource management measures for different watersheds. Proposed water resource management measures include water-saving irrigation practices, constructing water conservancy projects in the eastern region, ecological protection, and moderately developing water-saving agriculture in the western region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]