Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process and Vector Modulus Method in Evaluation of Water Environmental Carrying Capacity in Jiaozhou City

In this paper, the water environmental carrying capacity (WECC) was quantitatively analyzed considering the comprehensive effect of economy, society, resources, environment, and technology in Jiaozhou, Shandong province. An evaluation index system was established and applied in the evaluation of WECC in Jiaozhou from 2007 to 2011 with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and vector modulus method. The results indicated that the WECC index was at low level in the range of 0.061-0.080 with the decreasing trend firstly but then increasing trend gradually, which shows that the water resources shortage is becoming the key factor restricting the development of Jiaozhou. The results conform to the real condition of Jiaozhou and the research provides the scientific methods and suggestions for the coordinated development of social economy and water environment protection.