基于外部效应分析机井密度对地下水位的影响.

Rapid expansions of wells for irrigation water have led to severe groundwater depletion, posing serious challenge to future's food security in China. Finding solutions is critical for sustainable use of groundwater in China. As groundwater is a typical pool resource and its use gives rise to externalities, controlling well density could be a plausible solution. However, little empirical evidence is available in existing literature in China to analyze the relationship between well density and water tables. This paper therefore aims to fill in some of the gaps in existing literature using Lankao county in Henan province as a case study area. Based on household survey data and well census data, the paper conducts spatial analysis and econometric analysis to examine the relationship. It finds that there is a significant relationship between well density and groundwater tables. Specifically, for each increase in the number of surrounding wells within a radius of 100 m, the water table significantly decreases by 15 cm at a 5% significance level. Moreover, the marginal effect of well density on water table decreases significantly when the radius becomes larger and larger. Based on the findings, the paper emphasizes the importance of the government to control well density and develops a groundwater water permit system for sustainable management of groundwater in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]