以南水北调中线水源地南阳市6个县（市、区）为研究对象，探讨水生态与经济发展之间的适配性。从经济规模、经济结构、经济活力、经济潜力、经济响应、水生态状况、水生态压力及水生态响应8个维度出发，构建基于压力-状态-响应（pressure-state-response，PSR）模型的系统适配性评估指标体系。采用坎雷赋权法分配指标权重，测算2012—2022年南阳市6个县（市、区）的系统适配度，并深入分析其时空差异及变化趋势。发现南阳市6个县（市、区）在研究期间内系统适配度整体上升，表明该区域在水生态保护和经济发展方面取得了积极进展；6个县（市、区）间系统适配性的变化表现出较强的趋同性，这一现象与6个县（市、区）以农业为主要支柱产业的实际密切相关；随着南水北调中线一期工程通水，南阳市6个县（市、区）的系统适配度显著提高，工程通水不仅明显改善了该区域的水资源状况，还对当地的生态环境保护、农工业发展及经济结构优化产生了积极影响。揭示了南阳市6个县（市、区）在水生态保护与经济可持续发展方面的互动关系，为制定区域发展战略和水资源管理政策提供了科学依据；强调了在大型水利工程项目带动下，区域发展要综合考虑生态保护与经济发展的协调，以实现真正的可持续发展。

The research focused on six counties and districts in Nanyang City, which is a vital part of the water source area for the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Transfers Project. The study aimed to explore the adaptability between water ecology and economic development. The study aimed to assess the progress made in the region regarding the protection of water ecology and economic advancement. An evaluation index system for system adaptability was constructed based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model using economic scale, economic structure, economic vitality, economic potential, economic response, water ecological status, water ecological pressure, and water ecological response. The Kaley weighting method was applied to distribute weights to various indicators. The system adaptability of the six counties and districts in Nanyang City from 2012 to 2022 was calculated, and an in-depth analysis of their spatiotemporal differences and changing trends was conducted. The study's findings were as follows: (1) The overall system adaptability of the six counties and districts in Nanyang City showed an upward trend during the research period, indicating positive progress in the region's water ecological conservation and economic development. (2) The changes in system adaptability among the counties exhibited strong convergence, closely related to agriculture being the primary pillar industry in these areas. (3) With the launch of the Middle Route Project for water transfer, the adaptability of the six counties and districts in Nanyang City has considerably improved. This advancement has not only enhanced water resource conditions but has also positively influenced the local ecological environment, agricultural and industrial development, and the optimization of the economic structure. The study revealed the interactive relationship between water ecological protection and sustainable economic development in the study area. It provided a scientific basis for formulating regional development strategies and water resource management policies. The research emphasized that regional development under the influence of large-scale hydraulic projects should consider the coordination between ecological conservation and economic growth to achieve proper sustainable development.