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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (5): 168-178.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250353

• Research papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Assessment of Water Ecological Security Assessment in Western Border Areas of China: A Case Study of Lancang River Basin in Xishuangbanna

Changhai Wang1,Ao Li2,Wei Zhang3,Yueting Gao4,*()   

  1. 1. School of Government, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Beijing 102488
    2. Party School of the Communist Party of China Committee of the 7th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Huyanghe 834034
    3. School of Applied Economics, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Beijing 102488
    4. College of Economics and Management, Yunnan Agricultural University Kunming 650201
  • Received:2025-06-03 Revised:2025-08-12 Online:2026-05-10 Published:2026-05-12
  • Contact: Yueting Gao E-mail:gaoyt@ynau.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to scientifically assess the water ecological security status of the Xishuangbanna Lancang River Basin, and identify the current problems and their causes, so as to provide a theoretical basis for formulating effective measures to protect and manage watershed water ecological security and promoting sustainable development in the basin. Method: This study was conducted in the Xishuangbanna section of the Lancang River Basin. The pressure-state-response (PSR) model was adopted as the theoretical framework, to construct a comprehensive evaluation index system that includes water resources, water environment, aquatic ecosystems, and socioeconomic conditions. With the statistical and monitoring data from 2012 to 2022, the entropy weight method was applied to determine the weights of each indicator. The comprehensive index method was used to calculate subsystem scores of three subsystems: pressure, state, and response, as well as the overall water ecological security index. The evolutionary characteristics of the basin were identified, and the water ecological security levels were then classified. Result: From 2012 to 2022, the water ecological security level of the Lancang River Basin in Xishuangbanna exhibited a “low-rapid rise-stabilization” trend, with an overall increase of nearly 80%, indicating a generally improving ecological condition. The pressure index showed a “decline-rebound-decline again” pattern, indicating that ecological stress remains long-term characteristics. The state index steadily increased before and after 2019, reflecting a gradual improvement in ecosystem health. The response index has grown significantly since 2015, reflecting that under the promotion of national ecological civilization policies, local governments are shifting their governance from external input driven to endogenous institutional adjustment. Conclusion: The PSR-based evaluation system can effectively reveal the evolutionary path of water ecological security in the Lancang River Basin, Xishuangbanna. The health status of the basin’s water ecosystem continues to improve, and there is a trend of significant synergy evolution between governance response and ecological status. The endogenous institutional dynamics is gradually emerging, and the value of eco-products is accelerating realization. However, there are still bottlenecks in relieving ecological pressure, and the resilience and coordination ability of the governance system needs to be further improved. Therefore, the study proposes policy recommendations including strengthening pressure identification and source control, building a composite governance system, and reinforcing the national ecological security barrier. These insights offer theoretical and practical guidance for similar river valley regions in China’s border areas undertaking water ecological security assessments.

Key words: western frontier region, water ecological security, Lancang River Basin in Xishuangbanna, pressure-state-response (PSR) model, composite index method

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