Review of ecological water demand in water areas

Water areas are important parts of nature ecosystem and the key of water resources allocation and planning. Research of ecological water demand has vital significance for reasonable allocation of water resources and water conservation. The paper is concentrated on the research of ecological water demand in water areas include rivers, lakes and oceans etc. Meanwhile, it discusses varieties of quantified or qualitative methods in all these water bodies. As water areas ecology is affected by interaction of both natural and human factors, realizing harmonious development of water areas´ ecology and social economy depends on scientifically selecting target of ecological water demand and defining integrated indexes of healthy ecosystem with adjustments as the circumstance changes.