Abstract:

Compared with traditional quantitative analysis methods and optimization methods, game theory could identify and interpret the behaviors of parties in water resource conflicts and describe the interactions among different parties. By comprehensively summarizing literatures, we make a review on the application of game theory to water resource conflicts from the perspectives of water allocation conflicts, trans-boundary water pollution conflicts and coordination mechanisms of water resource conflicts. In addition, some research prospects are proposed: macro-control of market economy is encouraged to be used to solve the conflict between water quality and water quantity; quantitative research on the allocation of initial water right needs to be intensified.

Key words: game theory, water resource allocation, water resource conflicts, research advances, coordination mechanism