Abstract: Based on investigation of water resources and local economic and social development in Shantou City, we performed research on the carrying capacity of water resources in this area. We selected fourteen evaluation indexes suitable for Shantou, and classified the evaluation grades into 3 levels. RBF neural network model, BP neural network model and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model were employed respectively to evaluate the carrying capacity of water resources from 2000 to 2009. Results show that the carrying capacity in Shantou is between grade I and II, which is in a good overall situation but tends to deteriorating gradually. The evaluation effect and applicability of RBF neural network model and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model are better than those of BP neural network model. 

Key words: water resources carrying capacity, artificial neural network model, RBF, BP, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation