%A Liu Jing,,, Wu Pute,,,, Wang Yubao,, Zhao Xining,,, Sun Shikun,,, Zhang Xiaohong %T Temporal and spatial variation of grain production water footprint and net virtual water export in Hetao Irrigation District %0 Journal Article %D 2014 %J Journal of Drainage and Irrigation Machinery Engin %R 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8530.13.0087 %P 435-440 %V 32 %N 5 %U {http://zzs.ujs.edu.cn/pgjx/CN/abstract/article_1675.shtml} %8 2014-05-25 %X Properly evaluating utilization of water resources in an irrigation district is of great significance for improvement of the existing water resources management; thus two concepts, namely water footprint and virtual water are introduced and their temporal and spatial variations are analyzed in Hetao Irrigation District from 1960 to 2008. The analysis is focused on green and blue water and based on two indexes, such as the ratio of water for grain production to totally consumed water, R1, and the ratio of virtual water for grain export to water for grain production, R2. The results show that the grain water footprint is decreased to 1.63?109 m3 in 2008 from 3.53?109 m3 in 1960, and the net virtual water export demonstrates a decreasing trend in 2000s. Besides, the blue water accounts for 90% of both the grain water footprint and net virtual water export. The grain water footprint and net virtual water export in the central irrigation district(Hanghou, Linhe and Wuyuan)are larger than those in the other areas(Dengkou and Qianqi). Further, R1 is decreased at an averaged rate of 1.07% during the studied period, while R2 is showed a fluctuating rise. The value of R2 is decreased in 2000s, but it still is as high as 76.22% in 2008. In future, water use efficiency of green and blue water should be improved in Hetao Irrigation District. This study can provide a theoretical basis for policy-making in water resources management and sustainable development of an irrigation district.