Evolution Patterns of Water Ecology and Systematic Governance in the Yangtze River Basin

The uniqueness and integrity of water ecology in the Yangtze River Basin is of great significance for maintaining global ecological balance. Understanding the historical evolution of water ecology pattern in the Yangtze River Basin over the past century is imperative for improving the comprehensive river basin management and promoting sustainable development. In this paper, the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the water ecology pattern in the Yangtze River Basin over the past century are quantitatively analyzed in aspects of lake wetlands, material flux and aquatic biological populations. Then, by a perspective of social-ecological system, the evolution process of the water ecology pattern in the Yangtze River Basin over the past century is divided into four sequential stages based on the change of interactions between social-ecological system components. The driving factors and their mechanism on evolution process of the water ecology pattern in the Yangtze River Basin at different stages are revealed respectively. Based on the integrity of the ecosystem and the systematicity of the basin, it proposes strategies for the governance and protection of the Yangtze River Basin’s water ecology, including constructing a “natural-engineering” coupling governance system, strengthening species conservation and habitat restoration, developing green and ecological circular agriculture, and promoting the urban “water operator” mode. These strategies aim to promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and provide reference and guidance for high-quality development and high-level protection of major rivers around the world.