Assessing marine equivalent virtual water supplied by the ocean: a case study of China's coastal areas

Water Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 722-741
Author(s):  
Caizhi Sun ◽  
Mengfei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Water System ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Future Research

Abstract ‘Virtual water’ represents water resources consumed by industrial, agricultural, and other human activities. Virtual water flow is significant for coordinating the global water balance, but most current research has focused on land. In this study, marine products or services are introduced into the research framework of virtual water, and the concept of ‘marine equivalent virtual water’ is introduced. The formulas are proposed from three aspects: food, environment, and power generation. The calculation results for China's marine equivalent virtual water content from 2006 to 2015 show a U-shaped characteristic in which different factors change in importance over time. In addition, the marine equivalent virtual water system structure is analyzed and forecasted for China's coastal areas by 2025. Through the changes in the marine equivalent virtual water system entropy, the research area is divided into three development types: equilibrium, orderly, and change. Each area can be targeted to put forward development proposals. The marine equivalent virtual water proposition quantifies the function of the ocean in the supply of freshwater resources. It provides a new perspective for relieving pressure on terrestrial water resources and is of great significance to water resource management and water policy formulation; this concept should be built upon in future research.

scholarly journals Evolving water science in the Anthropocene

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 319-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. G. Savenije ◽  
A. Y. Hoekstra ◽  
P. van der Zaag
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Water System ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Water Value ◽  
Value Flow ◽  
Systemic Understanding ◽  
Hydrology And Water Resources

Abstract. This paper reviews the changing relation between human beings and water since the Industrial Revolution, a period that has been called the Anthropocene because of the unprecedented scale at which humans have altered the planet during this time. We show how the rapidly changing world urges us to continuously improve our understanding of the complex interactions between humans and the water system. The paper starts by demonstrating that hydrology and the science of managing water resources have played key roles in human and economic development throughout history; yet these roles have often been marginalised or obscured. Knowledge of hydrology and water resources engineering and management helped to transform the landscape, and thus also the very hydrology within catchments itself. It is only fairly recent that water experts have become conscious of such mechanisms, exemplified by several concepts that try to incorporate them – integrated water resources management, eco-hydrology, socio-hydrology. We have reached a stage at which a more systemic understanding of scale interdependencies can inform the sustainable governance of water systems, using new concepts like precipitation sheds, virtual water transfers, water footprints, and water value flow.

Decision support for water policy: a review of economic concepts and tools

Water Policy ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank A. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Common Property ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Project Appraisal ◽  
Ex Post

This article reviews research on the application of economic concepts and tools to the analysis of the preservation, conservation, development, consumption, supply and allocation of water resources. It summarizes research on economic analysis to support policy formulation, implementation and evaluation, including both project appraisal and the design of institutions. Economic analysis can support ex post analysis of existing mechanisms that influence the allocation of water: Such mechanisms include laws, regulations, supply management, demand management, population and climate change. Economic analysis can also be used to conduct ex ante analysis to design future water allocation institutions. These institutions include various forms of marginal cost pricing, valuation of water in alternative uses, water quality management, optimization models, integrated supply and demand management, transboundary management, virtual water, decentralized management, common property institutions and watershed councils.

scholarly journals Mining Transition and Hydropower Energy in Greece—Sustainable Governance of Water Resources Management in a Post-Lignite Era: The Case of Western Macedonia, Greece

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 1878
Author(s):  
Polytimi Farmaki ◽  
Apostolos Tranoulidis ◽  
Thanos Kouletsos ◽  
Paraskevi Giourka ◽  
Androniki Katarachia
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Transition Plans ◽  
Sustainable Water Resources Management

The present study explores the process of Greece’s current decarbonisation transition and its energy policy regarding the country’s two coal-mining areas. Using the Region of Western Macedonia as a case study, we aimed at providing a holistic approach—as until now only few attempts have been made to systematise the ‘Just Transition Plans’ in European Union (EU)—for raising awareness on issues related to water resource management in post-lignite areas and analysing the use of hydropower in Greece. Our research draws on a flexible method approach, serving as a tool to identify gaps in current knowledge and practices, based on two stages—first the analysis of existing literature, reviews, and sources from government’s core strategies, as well as policy and decision-making papers, and then formulating research questions by synthesising relevant data. In Greece, both ‘Just Transition Development Plan of Lignite Areas’ and hydropower production practices overlook water resources management. By summarising our findings and identifying gaps that remain in current approaches, this work indicates future directions by suggesting processes necessary for addressing the complex issue of adoption of sustainable water resources management measures in post-lignite eras in accordance with EU’s water policy.

scholarly journals Evolving water science in the Anthropocene

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 7619-7649 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. G. Savenije ◽  
A. Y. Hoekstra ◽  
P. van der Zaag
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Water System ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Water Value ◽  
Value Flow

Abstract. This paper reviews the changing relation between man and water since the industrial revolution, the period that has been called the Anthropocene because of the unprecedented scale at which humans have altered the planet. We show how the rapidly changing reality urges us to continuously improve our understanding of the complex interactions between man and the water system. The paper starts with demonstrating that hydrology and the science of water resources management have played key roles in human and economic development throughout history; yet these roles have often been marginalised or obscured. Knowledge on hydrology and water resources engineering and management helped to transform the landscape, and thus also the very hydrology within catchments itself. It is only fairly recent that water experts have become self-conscious of such mechanisms, exemplified by several concepts that try to internalise them (integrated water resources management, eco-hydrology, socio-hydrology). We have reached a stage where a more systemic understanding of scale interdependencies can inform the sustainable governance of water systems, using new concepts like precipitationsheds, virtual water transfers, water footprint and water value flow.

scholarly journals Socio-hydrological modelling: a review asking "why, what and how?"

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 443-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Blair ◽  
W. Buytaert
Keyword(s):  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Water System ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Interactions between humans and the environment are occurring on a scale that has never previously been seen; the scale of human interaction with the water cycle, along with the coupling present between social and hydrological systems, means that decisions that impact water also impact people. Models are often used to assist in decision-making regarding hydrological systems, and so in order for effective decisions to be made regarding water resource management, these interactions and feedbacks should be accounted for in models used to analyse systems in which water and humans interact. This paper reviews literature surrounding aspects of socio-hydrological modelling. It begins with background information regarding the current state of socio-hydrology as a discipline, before covering reasons for modelling and potential applications. Some important concepts that underlie socio-hydrological modelling efforts are then discussed, including ways of viewing socio-hydrological systems, space and time in modelling, complexity, data and model conceptualisation. Several modelling approaches are described, the stages in their development detailed and their applicability to socio-hydrological cases discussed. Gaps in research are then highlighted to guide directions for future research. The review of literature suggests that the nature of socio-hydrological study, being interdisciplinary, focusing on complex interactions between human and natural systems, and dealing with long horizons, is such that modelling will always present a challenge; it is, however, the task of the modeller to use the wide range of tools afforded to them to overcome these challenges as much as possible. The focus in socio-hydrology is on understanding the human–water system in a holistic sense, which differs from the problem solving focus of other water management fields, and as such models in socio-hydrology should be developed with a view to gaining new insight into these dynamics. There is an essential choice that socio-hydrological modellers face in deciding between representing individual system processes or viewing the system from a more abstracted level and modelling it as such; using these different approaches has implications for model development, applicability and the insight that they are capable of giving, and so the decision regarding how to model the system requires thorough consideration of, among other things, the nature of understanding that is sought.

scholarly journals Fifty Years of Water Resource Management Policies in Tunisia: From Supply Management to Territorial Equity

حِكامة ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 9-35
Author(s):  
Abdelkarim Daoud
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Water System ◽  
Resource Governance ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
The Government

Water resources in Tunisia are scarce and unevenly distributed between regions. As well, rainfall varies year-to-year. This study deals with the development of water resource management policies in Tunisia during the last five decades, starting with supply and mobilization management programs that transferred water resources from the interior to the coastal territories where the most important cities are and most economic activity takes place. This policy resulted in the establishment of an interconnected water system that remained in place until the end of the last century. The study also reviews the success of the demand management system the government has been forced by the increase in both urban consumption of water and agricultural needs to adopt. We also review the many challenges that set the current situation apart from previous periods of stress on the system, including high demand, climate change and social movements in the inner cities demanding the right for water, protected in the 2014 Constitution, be respected. The study highlights these challenges and suggests elements for a new resource governance that would draw on the accumulated good governance of the last five decades

scholarly journals Modelling climate change effects on a Dutch coastal groundwater system using airborne electromagnetic measurements

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 4499-4516 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Faneca Sànchez ◽  
J. L. Gunnink ◽  
E. S. van Baaren ◽  
G. H. P. Oude Essink ◽  
B. Siemon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water System ◽  
Variable Density ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Groundwater Model ◽  
Groundwater System ◽  
Saline Groundwater ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Airborne Electromagnetic

Abstract. The forecast of climate change effects on the groundwater system in coastal areas is of key importance for policy makers. The Dutch water system has been deeply studied because of its complex system of low-lying areas, dunes, land won to the sea and dikes, but nowadays large efforts are still being done to find out the best techniques to describe complex fresh-brackish-saline groundwater dynamic systems. In this paper, we describe a methodology consisting of high-resolution airborne electromagnetic (EM) measurements used in a 3-D variable-density transient groundwater model for a coastal area in the Netherlands. We used the airborne EM measurements in combination with borehole-logging data, electrical conductivity cone penetration tests and groundwater samples to create a 3-D fresh-brackish-saline groundwater distribution of the study area. The EM measurements proved to be an improvement compared to older techniques and provided quality input for the model. With the help of the built 3-D variable-density groundwater model, we removed the remaining inaccuracies of the 3-D chloride field and predicted the effects of three climate scenarios on the groundwater and surface water system. Results showed significant changes in the groundwater system, and gave direction for future water policy. Future research should provide more insight in the improvement of data collection for fresh-brackish-saline groundwater systems as it is of high importance to further improve the quality of the model.

Issues and options for sustainable development of water resource and use in India

Social Change ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
Seema Bathla ◽  
Mamta Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Social Good ◽  
Over Exploitation

The paper highlights and raises concern over issue of over-exploitation of groundwater resources in India, arising due to stress induced by growth in population and economic activity. The role of market and non-market interventions is analyzed to achieve a sustainable development of water resources, in particular groundwater resources. It is emphasized that the existing energy pricing structure portrays groundwater more as a social good and undermines the real economic value that needs to be attached to it. In view of the market and policy failures in overcoming the phenomenon of water scarcity, the role of institutions is reviewed in detail. Since efforts at the international level as initiated by the World Commission on Environment and Development, the UN Conference and the National Water Policy are largely in the nature of involving stakeholders in the conservation of water resources, the paper highlights the importance of evolving an appropriate participatory model of water resource management. The paper finally explores possible areas of research.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Optimization Measures on Sustainable Water Resource Management in the Guanzhong Area, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Tang ◽  
Ruichen Mao ◽  
Jinxi Song ◽  
Haotian Sun ◽  
Feihe Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Impact

Limited water resources and rapid socioeconomic development pose new challenges to watershed water resource management. By integrating the perspectives of stakeholders and decision-makers, this study aims to identify cases and approaches to achieve sustainable water resources management. It improves and expands the experience of previous project research. The comparative evaluation provides an analytical basis to verify the importance of stakeholder participation in water policy interactions. The results show that if an effective demand management policy is not implemented, the Guanzhong area will not meet water demand in the future. Through the combination of water-saving policies, water transfer projects and other measures, the available water resources will continue into the future. Optimizing management measures, improving the ecological environment, and encouraging stakeholder participation will help change this situation, although supply-side limitations and future uncertainties likely cause unsustainable water. Therefore, decision-makers should pay attention to the application potential of water-saving and other measures to reduce dependence on external water sources. In addition, the three sustainable development decision-making principles identified in this paper can promote the fairness and stability of water policy.

scholarly journals Modelling socio-hydrological systems: a review of concepts, approaches and applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 8761-8851 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Blair ◽  
W. Buytaert
Keyword(s):  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Water System ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. Interactions between humans and the environment are occurring on a scale that has never previously been seen; one environmental facet that has seen particular co-evolution with society is water. The scale of human interaction with the water cycle, along with the coupling present between social and hydrological systems, means that decisions that impact water also impact people. Models are often used to assist in decision-making regarding hydrological systems, and so in order for effective decisions to be made regarding water resource management, these interactions and feedbacks should be accounted for in models used to analyse systems in which water and humans interact. This paper reviews literature surrounding aspects of socio-hydrological modelling. It begins with background information regarding the current state of socio-hydrology as a discipline, before covering reasons for modelling and potential applications. Some important concepts that underlie socio-hydrological modelling efforts are then discussed, including ways of viewing socio-hydrological systems, space and time in modelling, complexity, data and model conceptualisation. Several modelling approaches are described, the stages in their development detailed and their applicability to socio-hydrological cases discussed. Gaps in research are then highlighted to guide directions for future research. The review of literature suggests that the nature of socio-hydrological study, being interdisciplinary, focusing on complex interactions between human and natural systems, and dealing with long horizons, is such that modelling will always present a challenge; it is, however, the task of the modeller to use the wide range tools afforded to them to overcome these challenges as much as possible. The focus in socio-hydrology is on understanding the human–water system in a holistic sense, which differs from the problem solving focus of other water management fields, and as such models in socio-hydrology should be developed with a view to gaining new insight into these dynamics. There is an essential choice that socio-hydrological modellers face in deciding between representing individual system processes, or viewing the system from a more abstracted level and modelling it as such; using these different approaches have implications for model development, applicability and the insight that they are capable of giving, and so the decision regarding how to model the system requires thorough consideration of, among other things, the nature of understanding that is sought.

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