Toward Integrated Ecological Operation of River Basins in Arid Regions: Challenges and Emerging Solutions

River ecosystems in arid regions are undergoing rapid ecological degradation due to intensive water withdrawal and hydropower development. Ecological operation has emerged globally as a critical approach to balancing ecological sustainability with socioeconomic development. This paper systematically reviews recent advances in ecological operation practices in China’s Tarim and Irtysh River Basins, focusing on innovations such as multiscale reservoir ecological operations, ecological infiltration irrigation techniques, ecological water conveyance strategies, and multiobjective optimization models. It identifies key ecological outcomes, discusses persisting challenges, and proposes recommendations for enhancing future ecological restoration and sustainable water management in arid regions.