Dragonflies as flagships for sustainable use of water resources in environmental education

The growing concern about the quantity and quality of water has led managers and researchers from various countries to concentrate efforts in the study, planning and management of watersheds, considered appropriate units for the rational and sustainable management of water resources. This experience report presents results of the Program for Communication, Environmental Education and Social Mobilization, which is part of the project “Monitoring Network of the basins of the rivers Pirapó, Paranapanema III and Paranapanema IV – analysis and monitoring of the hydrological behavior”, developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers and graduate students of the State University of Maringá (Paraná, Brazil). The goals of the program were: a) To develop continuing education for teachers of basic education, active in state schools located in the basins studied; b) To raise awareness and to promote training of various local social actors; c) To produce educational and promotional materials for teachers and general community, respectively. The methodology was the action research, on the basis of collaborative work between university researchers and participants of the program. The results evidence that teachers and representatives of different social groups had a limited view of issues related to water resources of their region. Courses, workshops and itinerant exhibitions, beyond teaching aids and promotional material prepared by the group of researchers and graduate students contributed to broaden the view of social actors about watersheds to which they are part, from the perspective of an active, critical and responsible participation focused on sustainable use and management of water resources.

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Water Governance and Management in Indus Basin - Challenges & Threats

Studies of Applied Economics ◽

10.25115/eea.v38i3.3601 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Marium Sara Minhas Bandeali

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Civil Society ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Policy ◽

Water Governance ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Water Security ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

The State ◽

Indus Basin

Water governance and management are important challenges for the River Indus Basin in Pakistan. Water governance refers to social, political and economic factors that influence water management. The water scarcity and water security are a major concern for the state to control its water resources. The study aims to give Sindh water policy by exploring the challenges to Indus Basin in managing water resources and to identify opportunities Indus Basin can look to improve water management. Interviews were conducted from water experts and analysts having 5 years’ experience or more in the water sector of Pakistan through a semi-structured self-developed questionnaire using purposive sampling technique and transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings show that increasing population, climatic change and rising demand of water are major challenges Indus is facing and Indus with time is getting water-scarce therefore need strong institutions, civil society and legislatures to ensure equitable distribution of water and maintain the ecosystem. The study emphasizes that water governance and management are necessary for sustainable use of water. Pakistan, the water stress country needs to address ‘governance’ at a wider scale to solve problems in the Indus Basin for the livelihood of people. The research will benefit the state, water experts, institutions as well as civil society to promote efficient use of water in Indus Basin.

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EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL COMO SUBSIDIO A (RE)AVALIAÇÃO DAS FORMAS DE USO NA APA DO ESTUÁRIO DO RIO CEARÁ EM FORTALEZA

Revista da Casa da Geografia de Sobral (RCGS) ◽

10.35701/rcgs.v21n2.583 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 962-975

Author(s):

Emerson Rodrigues Lima ◽

Ana Carla Alves Gomes ◽

Ícaro Paiva de Oliveira ◽

Maria Lucia Brito da Cruz

Keyword(s):

Data Collection ◽

Environmental Education ◽

Riparian Forest ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Field Work ◽

Protection Area ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Natural Dynamics ◽

Del Rio

A pesquisa trata de uma análise da relação sociedade natureza no contexto da Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) do rio Ceará e teve como objetivo principal o estudo dos impactos negativos sofridos a partir dessa interação, descrevendo os principais problemas ocasionados pela ocupação desordenada, como a intervenção nas dunas, poluição do mangue e desmatamento da mata ciliar, os quais condicionam a mudança da dinâmica natural do ambiente causando interferências paisagísticas e biológicas no local. O aporte teórico metodológico embasa-se nas teorias clássicas pertinentes, bem como levantamento de dados secundários, trabalho de campo e a técnica de geoprocessamento para a elaboração de material cartográfico. Os resultados demonstram a urgência em inserir práticas vinculadas a educação ambiental na APA, dessa forma, o trabalho visa servir de subsídio à conscientização da necessidade de preservação deste ambiente, recomendando, assim o diálogo entre a população e os órgãos responsáveis para garantir o uso sustentável da mesma.Palavras-chave: Conservação; Educação Ambiental; Análise Geoambiental. ABSTRACTThe research deals with an analysis of the relation nature-society in the context of the APA (Ambiental Protection Area) of Ceará River and it had as main objective the study of the negative impacts suffered from this interaction, describing the main problems caused by the disordered occupation, such as the intervention in the dunes, mangrove pollution and deforestation of the riparian forest, which condition the change of the natural dynamics of the environment causing landscape and biological interferences in the place. The theoretical methodological support is based on the relevant classical theories, as well as secondary data collection, field work and the geoprocessing technique for the preparation of cartographic material. The results show the urgency to insert practices related to environmental education in the APA, so this work aims to serve as a subsidy to raise awareness of the need to preserve this environment, recommending in this way the dialogue between the population and responsible bodies to ensure sustainable use of the same. Keywords: Conservation; Environmental education; Geoenvironmental Analysis. RESUMENLa investigación aborda un análisis de la relación de la sociedad de la naturaleza en el contexto del Área de Protección Ambiental (APA) del río Ceará y su objetivo principal fue el estudio de los impactos negativos sufridos por esta interacción, describiendo los principales problemas causados por la ocupación desordenada, como el intervención en las dunas, contaminación del manglar y deforestación del bosque ribereño, que condicionan el cambio de la dinámica natural del ambiente causando interferencia biológica y paisajística en el lugar. La base teórica metodológica se basa en las teorías clásicas relevantes, así como en la recolección secundaria de datos, el trabajo de campo y la técnica de geoprocesamiento para la preparación de material cartográfico. Los resultados demuestran la urgencia de insertar prácticas relacionadas con la educación ambiental en la APA, por lo tanto, el trabajo tiene como objetivo apoyar la conciencia de la necesidad de preservar este medio ambiente, recomendando así el diálogo entre la población y los organismos responsables para garantizar un uso sostenible de la misma.Palabras clave: Conservación; Educación ambiental; Análisis geoambiental.

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Co-creating narratives for WEF nexus governance: a Quantitative Story-Telling case study in the Canary Islands

Sustainability Science ◽

10.1007/s11625-021-00933-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Violeta Cabello ◽

David Romero ◽

Ana Musicki ◽

Ângela Guimarães Pereira ◽

Baltasar Peñate

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Canary Islands ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Quantitative Information ◽

Practical Case ◽

Story Telling ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Narrative Assessment ◽

Alternative Water

AbstractThe literature on the water–energy–food nexus has repeatedly signaled the need for transdisciplinary approaches capable of weaving the plurality of knowledge bodies involved in the governance of different resources. To fill this gap, Quantitative Story-Telling (QST) has been proposed as a science for adaptive governance approach that aims at fostering pluralistic and reflexive research processes to overcome narrow framings of water, energy, and food policies as independent domains. Yet, there are few practical applications of QST and most run on a pan-European scale. In this paper, we apply the theory of QST through a practical case study regarding non-conventional water sources as an innovation for water and agricultural governance in the Canary Islands. We present the methods mixed to mobilize different types of knowledge and analyze interconnections between water, energy, and food supply. First, we map and interview relevant knowledge holders to elicit narratives about the current and future roles of alternative water resources in the arid Canarian context. Second, we run a quantitative diagnosis of nexus interconnections related to the use of these resources for irrigation. This analysis provides feedback to the narratives in terms of constraints and uncertainties that might hamper the expectations posed on this innovation. Thirdly, the mixed analysis is used as fuel for discussion in participatory narrative assessment workshops. Our experimental QST process succeeded in co-creating new knowledge regarding the water–energy–food nexus while addressing some relational and epistemological uncertainties in the development of alternative water resources. Yet, the extent to which mainstream socio-technical imaginaries surrounding this innovation were transformed was rather limited. We conclude that the potential of QST within sustainability place-based research resides on its capacity to: (a) bridge different sources of knowledge, including local knowledge; (b) combine both qualitative and quantitative information regarding the sustainable use of local resources, and (c) co-create narratives on desirable and viable socio-technical pathways. Open questions remain as to how to effectively mobilize radically diverse knowledge systems in complex analytical exercises where everyone feels safe to participate.

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Basic criteria for a sustainable water management at the U.S.-México border: the case of ambos Nogales

ESTUDIOS FRONTERIZOS ◽

10.21670/ref.2003.07.a02 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 4 (7) ◽

pp. 35-60

Author(s):

Luis Ernesto Cervera Gómez ◽

Rodolfo Rubio Salas

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Resources ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

The United States ◽

International Perspective ◽

Development Environment ◽

Quality Of Water ◽

Mexico Border ◽

Ambos Nogales

This article aims to analyze some basic criteria for a sustainable use of water in an international watershed shared by Mexico and the United States. The study area comprises the region of Ambos Nogales, which is located inside the Upper Santa Cruz River Basin. This portion of the watershed represents the main ecosystem and the main source of water for urban and rural populations located in this region. Following criteria of sustainability the authors revise and adapt to the case of Ambos Nogales, a set of guidelines proposed by the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security. These guidelines include the following elements: basic water requirements needed to maintain quality of life in the population and the health of ecosystems; water quality that meets certain minimum standards; human actions and their impact on long-term renewability of freshwater stocks and flows; collection of data concerning water resources, use and quality of water; institutional mechanisms to prevent and resolve conflicts; and a democratic process of water-planning and decision-making. These twin cities have a long history of cooperation and conflict linked to water resources, which makes available enough information to create a diagnostic about the water management inside a binational arena, and allowing to explore possibilities for a better water resources management under a sustainable regime and from an international perspective. Keywords: Sustainability, binational water management, ambos Nogales region.

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Instruments for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Water Resources in the Baikal Natural Area

Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection ◽

10.4236/gep.2015.36007 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 03 (06) ◽

pp. 39-44

Author(s):

Taisiya Bardakhanova ◽

Svetlana Ayusheeva ◽

Zinaida Goryunova

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Natural Area

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HERMES: Promoting an Ecosystem Approach to the Sustainable Use and Governance of Deep-Water Resources

Oceanography ◽

10.5670/oceanog.2009.15 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 154-165 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Anthony Grehan ◽

Sybille van den Hove ◽

Claire Armstrong ◽

Ronan Long ◽

Thomas van Rensburg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Deep Water ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Ecosystem Approach

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The legal frameworks of the Nile Basin: Opportunities and challenges / Cadres juridiques du bassin du Nil : opportunités et obstacles

Journal of the African Union Commission on International Law ◽

10.47348/aucil/2021/a6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 185-203

Author(s):

Dereje Zeleke Mekonnen

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Legal Framework ◽

Grand Challenge ◽

Nile Basin ◽

Freshwater Resources ◽

Formidable Challenge ◽

Daunting Task ◽

Droit International ◽

Legal Frameworks

The use of shared natural resources is a difficult task and the use of trans-boundary freshwater resources poses an even greater challenge, with a higher propensity for conflict. The belated development of international law in the area has contributed considerably to the difficulties. The essence of the international legal regime governing the use of shared water resources is anchored in the twin principles of equitable and reasonable use and no significant harm. Concluding a lasting deal governing the use and protection of shared freshwater resources by taking all relevant factors into account within an inclusive legal and institutional framework is the standard approach. The Nile Basin exhibits peculiar features that make equitable and sustainable use of the water resources a daunting task, depriving the Basin states of the opportunity for cooperative development and shared use. Ensuring the equitable and sustainable use of the Nile waters has been an elusive objective pursued by the riparian countries for over half a century. The existing legal frameworks, especially the colonial and early postcolonial ones, still constitute a formidable challenge to the new cooperative legal framework that began to take shape in the late 1990s, thus keeping the Basin in a legal and hydro-political stasis that has stalled progress and might even undo hard-won achievements. L’utilisation des ressources communes est une tâche difficile et l’utilisation transfrontalière des ressources en eau douce pose encore un plus grand challenge avec une grande propension au conflit. Le développement tardif du droit international dans la région a considérablement contribué aux problèmes. L’essence du régime juridique international régissant l’utilisation commune des ressources en eaux est soutenue par le double principe de l’utilisation équitable et raisonnable et pas de préjudice significatif. L’approche standard est de conclure un accord durable régissant l’utilisation et la protection des ressources communes en eau douce tenant en compte tous les facteurs importants dans un cadre juridique et institutionnel inclusif. Le Bassin du Nil présente des caractéristiques particulières qui rend l’utilisation équitable et raisonnable des ressources en eau une tâche ardue privant ainsi les États du Bassin de la possibilité d’un développement coopératif et d’une utilisation partagée. Assurer l’utilisation équitable et durable des eaux du Nil est un objectif illusoire poursuivi par les pays riverains depuis plus d’un demi-siècle. Les régimes juridiques existants, ceux spécialement coloniaux et post coloniaux, constituent toujours un énorme obstacle pour le nouveau régime juridique coopératif qui a commencé à prendre forme vers la fin des années 1990, maintenant ainsi le Bassin dans une stagnation juridique et hydro-politique qui a freiné les progrès et pourrait même éventuellement défaire les accomplissements durement acquis.

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Dynamic Model of a Sustainable Water Resources Utilization System with Coupled Water Quality and Quantity in Tianjin City

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104254 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4254

Author(s):

Yutong Tian ◽

Chunhui Li ◽

Yujun Yi ◽

Xuan Wang ◽

Anping Shu

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Supply ◽

Supply And Demand ◽

Sustainable Use ◽

Social Economy ◽

Using Data ◽

Water Quality And Quantity ◽

Sustainable Water Resources ◽

Water Resources Utilization

With the development of industrial and agricultural production and the social economy, the demand for water resources has gradually increased. In this paper, based on the principles of system dynamics, a sustainable water resources utilization model with coupled water quality and quantity is established using STELLA software to assess the sustainable use of water resources. The model includes two modules: a water supply module and a water quality module. The water supply module includes four sub-systems: economy, population, water supply, and water demand. The water quality module consists of an environmental sub-system. The model is suitable for Tianjin, where water resources are scarce. Calibration is performed using data from 2013–2016, and verification is performed using data from 2017. The simulation results are good. In order to compare the sustainable use of water resources in different development scenarios in Tianjin for 2025, a sensitivity analysis is performed for each variable, and four decision variables are selected to establish four water resources use scenarios (Scenarios 1–4). The results show that, compared with scenario 1, water shortages in scenarios 2 and 3 are delayed. Scenario 4, with stable economic growth and environmental consideration, can effectively resolve the contradiction between water supply and demand in the future, and is more conducive to the improvement of water quality. Finally, based on the above research, measures to solve water resources problems are proposed, in order to provide a reference for the sustainable use of water resources and optimization of water resources allocation in Tianjin.

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A Sustainable Model for Water Resources and Environmental Education

ICSDEC 2012 ◽

10.1061/9780784412688.114 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Tiao J. Chang ◽

John Bentz ◽

Justin Wiseman ◽

Yanhui Fang ◽

Andrew Copley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Environmental Education

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