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Crespo D, Albiac J, Dinar A, Esteban E, Kahil T. Integrating ecosystem benefits for sustainable water allocation in hydroeconomic modeling. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267439. [PMID: 35511815 PMCID: PMC9070880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing concern about the degradation of water-dependent ecosystems calls for considering ecosystems benefits in water management decision-making. Sustainable water management requires adequate economic and biophysical information on water systems supporting both human activities and natural ecosystems. This information is essential for assessing the impact on social welfare of water allocation options. This paper evaluates various alternative water management policies by including the spatial and sectoral interrelationships between the economic and environmental uses of water. A hydroeconomic model is developed to analyze water management policies for adaptation to reduced water availability in the Ebro Basin of Spain. The originality in our contribution is the integration of environmental benefits across the basin, by using endemic biophysical information that relates stream flows and ecosystem status in the Ebro Basin. The results show the enhancement of social welfare that can be achieved by protecting environmental flows, and the tradeoffs between economic and environmental benefits under alternative adaptation strategies. The introduction of water markets is a policy that maximizes the private benefits of economic activities, but disregards environmental benefits. The results show that the current institutional policy where stakeholders cooperate inside the water authority, provides lower private benefits but higher environmental benefits compared to those obtained under water markets, especially under severe droughts. However, the water authority is not allocating enough environmental flows to optimize social welfare. This study informs strategies for protection of environmental flows in the Ebro Basin, which is a compelling decision under the imminent climate change impacts on water availability in coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Crespo
- Agrifood Research and Technology Centre (CITA) and University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose Albiac
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Zaragoza, Spain
- Economics and Business School, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Water Security Research Group, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program, International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Ariel Dinar
- School of Public Policy, University of California, Riverside, California, United States of America
| | - Encarna Esteban
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Zaragoza, Spain
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
| | - Taher Kahil
- Water Security Research Group, Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program, International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria
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2
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Horne AC, Szemis JM, Webb JA, Kaur S, Stewardson MJ, Bond N, Nathan R. Informing Environmental Water Management Decisions: Using Conditional Probability Networks to Address the Information Needs of Planning and Implementation Cycles. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 61:347-357. [PMID: 28584968 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-017-0874-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
One important aspect of adaptive management is the clear and transparent documentation of hypotheses, together with the use of predictive models (complete with any assumptions) to test those hypotheses. Documentation of such models can improve the ability to learn from management decisions and supports dialog between stakeholders. A key challenge is how best to represent the existing scientific knowledge to support decision-making. Such challenges are currently emerging in the field of environmental water management in Australia, where managers are required to prioritize the delivery of environmental water on an annual basis, using a transparent and evidence-based decision framework. We argue that the development of models of ecological responses to environmental water use needs to support both the planning and implementation cycles of adaptive management. Here we demonstrate an approach based on the use of Conditional Probability Networks to translate existing ecological knowledge into quantitative models that include temporal dynamics to support adaptive environmental flow management. It equally extends to other applications where knowledge is incomplete, but decisions must still be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril C Horne
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Joanna M Szemis
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - J Angus Webb
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Simranjit Kaur
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Michael J Stewardson
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Nick Bond
- The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Center, La Trobe University, PO Box 821, Wodonga, VIC, 3689, Australia
| | - Rory Nathan
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
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Challenges in Using Hydrology and Water Quality Models for Assessing Freshwater Ecosystem Services: A Review. GEOSCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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McKay SK, Freeman MC, Covich AP. Application of Effective Discharge Analysis to Environmental Flow Decision-Making. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 57:1153-1165. [PMID: 26961419 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-016-0684-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Well-informed river management decisions rely on an explicit statement of objectives, repeatable analyses, and a transparent system for assessing trade-offs. These components may then be applied to compare alternative operational regimes for water resource infrastructure (e.g., diversions, locks, and dams). Intra- and inter-annual hydrologic variability further complicates these already complex environmental flow decisions. Effective discharge analysis (developed in studies of geomorphology) is a powerful tool for integrating temporal variability of flow magnitude and associated ecological consequences. Here, we adapt the effectiveness framework to include multiple elements of the natural flow regime (i.e., timing, duration, and rate-of-change) as well as two flow variables. We demonstrate this analytical approach using a case study of environmental flow management based on long-term (60 years) daily discharge records in the Middle Oconee River near Athens, GA, USA. Specifically, we apply an existing model for estimating young-of-year fish recruitment based on flow-dependent metrics to an effective discharge analysis that incorporates hydrologic variability and multiple focal taxa. We then compare three alternative methods of environmental flow provision. Percentage-based withdrawal schemes outcompete other environmental flow methods across all levels of water withdrawal and ecological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kyle McKay
- Environmental Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Mary C Freeman
- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Alan P Covich
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Cisowska I, Hutchins MG. The effect of weirs on nutrient concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 542:997-1003. [PMID: 26546398 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The removal of a weir in 1999 from the River Nidd in Yorkshire, UK, was assessed in terms of its impact on in-stream nitrate removal along a 15.8 km long stretch of river. Models of channel hydraulics and denitrification quantified the impact on an annual basis, using, as inputs, river flow, water temperature, water quality data and cross-section geometry collected both before and after the weir was removed. To remove the confounding influences of year-specific conditions, two counterfactual simulations were set up whereby the pre-removal configuration was driven by data from the post-removal period (and vice versa). Results revealed the removal of the weir to have reduced the annual fraction of the upstream nitrate load being retained along the stretch by 2.6% (i.e. 812 kg) and 1.8% (382 kg) for the years 1997 and 2000 respectively. Differences resulting from the presence or absence of the weir were most marked during low flow summer conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Cisowska
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom.
| | - M G Hutchins
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
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Spears BM, Ives SC, Angeler DG, Allen CR, Birk S, Carvalho L, Cavers S, Daunt F, Morton RD, Pocock MJO, Rhodes G, Thackeray SJ. FORUM: Effective management of ecological resilience - are we there yet? J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan M. Spears
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Penicuik Midlothian EH26 0QB UK
| | - Stephen C. Ives
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Penicuik Midlothian EH26 0QB UK
| | - David G. Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Craig R. Allen
- U.S. Geological Survey; Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; School of Natural Resources; University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Lincoln NE 68583-0961 USA
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecology; Universität Duisburg-Essen; Universitätsstrasse 5 D-45141 Essen Germany
| | | | - Stephen Cavers
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Penicuik Midlothian EH26 0QB UK
| | - Francis Daunt
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Penicuik Midlothian EH26 0QB UK
| | - R. Daniel Morton
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Lancaster Environment Centre; Library Avenue Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4AP UK
| | - Michael J. O. Pocock
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Maclean Building Benson Lane Crowmarsh Gifford Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 8BB UK
| | - Glenn Rhodes
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Lancaster Environment Centre; Library Avenue Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4AP UK
| | - Stephen J. Thackeray
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Lancaster Environment Centre; Library Avenue Bailrigg Lancaster LA1 4AP UK
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Tang W, Mao Z, Zhang H, Shan B, Zhao Y, Ding Y. Water resources: the prerequisite for ecological restoration of rivers in the Hai River Basin, northern China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:1359-1365. [PMID: 25142344 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The competition for water resources between humans and river ecosystems is becoming ever more intense worldwide, especially in developing countries. In China, with rapid socioeconomic development, water resources to maintain river ecosystems are progressively decreasing, especially in the Hai River Basin (HRB), which has attracted much attention from the Chinese government. In the past 56 years, water resources have continuously decreased in the basin, such that there is 54.2 % less surface water now compared with then. Water shortages, mainly due to local anthropogenic activities, have emerged as the main limiting factor to river ecological restoration in the HRB. However, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the largest such project in the world, presents a good opportunity for ecological restoration of rivers in this basin. Water diverted from the Danjiangkou Reservoir will restore surface water resources in the HRB to levels of 30 years ago and will amount to more than 20 billion m(3). Our findings highlight the fact that water resources are crucial for river ecological restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory on Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, China,
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Alamgir M, Pert PL, Turton SM. A review of ecosystem services research in Australia reveals a gap in integrating climate change and impacts on ecosystem services. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES & MANAGEMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2014.919961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Alamgir
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Petina L. Pert
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, PO Box 12139, Earlville BC QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Stephen M. Turton
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4870, Australia
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