In a study about water management in Beijing, China, researchers explored using virtual water trade to allocate water resources effectively in water-scarce areas. They created a model to balance economic benefits and environmental impact when distributing physical water and traded virtual water for growing crops and raising livestock. By combining physical water sources like surface and groundwater with virtual water trade, they found that agriculture and urban areas are the main water users. With virtual water trade, agricultural water use decreased, and groundwater reliance lessened. Environmental needs were met by reclaimed water, showing that urban and environmental demands are primarily fulfilled by physical water resources. Virtual water import became crucial to balancing water supply and demand in water-stressed regions.