Study on the reasonable threshold of ecological water demand in arid areas

It is an important prerequisite to determine the threshold of ecological water demand scientifically and reasonably for sustainable development of socio-economic and ecological environment. This paper analyzes the ratio of ecological water demand account for of the total runoff in Northwest arid areas, and combines with the instance of Manas River basin, proposes a reasonable threshold of ecological water demand of the arid areas should be for 30% to 50% of the total runoff. The environment should first meet the requirements of the ecological water demand in regional water planning.