Assessing spatial and temporal variability in water consumption and the maintainability oasis maximum area in an oasis region of Northwestern China

Water consumption is a key role in improving the efficiency and sustainability of water management in arid environments. In this study, we explored an approach based on meta-analysis, MODIS NDVI products, land-use spatial distribution, and soil water physical parameters to gain insight into long-term and large scale distribution of land use and water consumption, maintain maximum Zhangye Oasis area according to Heihe River runoff, and suitable water resource management in Zhangye Oasis. This approach was initiated in order to improve the efficiency of irrigation and water resource management in arid regions Results showed that Heihe River runoff can maintain a maximum Zhangye Oasis area of 22.49×10⁴ hm². During the 2000-2016 growing seasons, actual oasis water consumption ranged from 11.35×10⁸ m³ to 13.73×10⁸ m³, with a mean of (12.89 ± 0.60)×10⁸ m³; if maintaining agricultural production and oasis stability was chosen, oasis water consumption ranged from 10.24×10⁸ m³ to 12.37×10⁸ m³, with a mean of (11.62 ± 0.53)×10⁸ m³. From the perspective of water resources management and ecosystem stability, it is necessary to reduce the area of Zhangye Oasis or choose the minimum water consumption method to manage the oasis, to ease the pressure of water shortage and maintain stable and sustainable development of the Zhangye Oasis. These results can provide future practical guidance for water resource management of coordinated development of the economy and the environment in an arid area.