干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Irrigation-related environmental degradation along the Tarim River in an arid area is investigated. Using field data, this paper explains the causes of river environment decline along the Tarim River and thereby points out that redistribution of water consumed through different river reaches results in a series of complex responses of the river system. A web illustrating the complex responses is presented. The web indicates that man's irrational utilization of water will finally threaten his subsistence. Some principles and measures for river environment restoration are suggested.