Analysis of water resource ecological optimization and obstacles based on the water resources – socio – economic – ecological environment model framework – a case study of the core area of the Central Plains urban agglomeration

The ecological health level of water resources plays a crucial role in achieving sustainable development in society. This study focuses on the core area of the Central Plains urban agglomeration. A comprehensive evaluation system, based on the Water Resources - Socio-Economic - Ecological Environment model framework, was constructed, incorporating 22 evaluation indicators in the indicator layer. Using an improved entropy weighting method combined with the ITOPSIS model, the water ecological health level in the study area from 2013 to 2022 was evaluated, and corresponding measures were proposed based on the evaluation results. Furthermore, the Barrier Degree model was applied to identify the eight major hindering factors influencing the water resource ecological environment in the research area. The results show that: The overall water resource ecological health level in the core area of the Central Plains urban agglomeration from 2013 to 2022 showed a generally improving trend. The eight major hindering factors indicate that cities should focus on green urban development while promoting the construction of smart water management systems and sponge cities.