Methodology and models of ecological water amount estimation in the arid zone: the case in the no runoff areas in the lower reaches of Tarim River, China

Ecological water use are new concept for management and research departments. The principle and methodology of which is also an advanced field in Eco-hydrology. It is a key issues to protect natural vegetation by means of ensuring ecological water use in arid zone. The ecological water use is mainly consists off two parts in no runoff area in the lower reaches of Tarim River Basin. That is total water amount for restoration groundwater table and total stand water amount of the all river courses. The former is including water amount for restoration of groundwater table, laterad discharge and evaporation of water surface. They are estimated by model 1, model If and model III respectively. The estimated results are 8.99 x 10(8) m(3), 0.68 x 10(8) m(3) /a and 0.132 x 10(8) m(3) /a respectively. Based on the groundwater depth rising 4 meter requiring 5 years, the total water amount for restoration groundwater table is 2.61 x 10(8) m(3) /a by the model IV. The latter, i.e., total stand water amount is 1.992 x 10 m(3)/ a estimated by model V