The study focused on understanding the water ecological function in the Heihe River Basin in Northwest China. By analyzing natural environment, human activities, and water ecosystem services, researchers divided the basin into different areas based on their water ecological characteristics. They found that the distribution of water ecological function in the basin was uneven, with key functions including windproof and sand fixation, soil erosion prevention, and water sources conservation. This information can help in managing water resources and optimizing the ecological function of the Heihe River Basin.