scholarly journals The California Environmental Flows Framework: Meeting the Challenges of Developing a Large-Scale Environmental Flows Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Stein ◽  
Julie Zimmerman ◽  
Sarah M. Yarnell ◽  
Bronwen Stanford ◽  
Belize Lane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Environmental Flow ◽  
The State ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Initial Flow ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Ecological Flow

Environmental flow programs aim to protect aquatic habitats and species while recognizing competing water demands. Often this is done at the local or watershed level because it is relatively easier to address technical and implementation challenges at these scales. However, a consequence of this approach is that ecological flow criteria are developed for only a few areas as dictated by funding and interest with many streams neglected. Here we discuss the collaborative development of the California Environmental Flows Framework (CEFF) as an example process for developing environmental flow recommendations at a statewide scale. CEFF uses a functional flows approach, which focuses on protecting a broad suite of ecological, geomorphic, and biogeochemical functions instead of specific species or habitats, and can be applied consistently across diverse stream types and spatial scales. CEFF adopts a tiered approach in which statewide models are used to estimate ecological flow needs based on natural functional flow ranges, i.e., metrics that quantify the required magnitude, timing, duration, frequency, and/or rate-of-change of functional flow components under reference hydrologic conditions, for every stream reach in the state. Initial flow needs can then be revised at regional, or watershed, scales based on local constraints, management objectives, and available data and resources. The third tier of CEFF provides a process for considering non-ecological flow needs to produce a final set of environmental flow recommendations that aim to balance of all desired water uses. CEFF was developed via a broad inclusive process that included technical experts across multiple disciplines, representatives from federal and state agencies, and stakeholders and potential end-users from across the state. The resulting framework is therefore not associated with any single agency or regulatory program but can be applied under different contexts, mandates and end-user priorities. The inclusive development of CEFF also allowed us to achieve consensus on the technical foundations and commitment to applying this approach in the future.

scholarly journals From an irrigation system to an ecological asset: adding environmental flows establishes recovery of a threatened fish species

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivor Stuart ◽  
Clayton Sharpe ◽  
Kathryn Stanislawski ◽  
Anna Parker ◽  
Martin Mallen-Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Environmental Flow ◽  
Murray Cod ◽  
Riverine Fish

Worldwide, riverine fish are the target of environmental water because populations have declined in lotic river habitats following river regulation. Murray cod is an endangered Australian riverine fish with remaining populations associated with lotic river reaches with instream habitat, including some creeks operated as part of irrigation systems. Our objectives were to develop a life history model, apply the building block method of environmental flows to enhance the abundance of juvenile Murray cod and promote population recovery. From 2008 to 2018 we evaluated changes to Murray cod juvenile abundance before and after implementation of a perennial environmental flow regime that began in 2013. During the first year of the environmental flow, larvae were collected as evidence of spawning. Murray cod abundance can be enhanced with environmental flows that target: (1) an annual spring spawning or recruitment flow with no rapid water level drops; (2) maximising hydrodynamic complexity (i.e. flowing habitats that are longitudinally continuous and hydrodynamically complex); and (3) an annual base winter connection flow. Recognition that incorporating hydraulics (water level and velocity) at fine and coarse time scales, over spatial scales that reflect life histories, provides broader opportunities to expand the scope of environmental flows to help restore imperilled fish species in regulated ecosystems.

The Energy Politics of Latin America

2019 ◽  
pp. 662-686
Author(s):  
Sylvia Gaylord
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
The State ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
Poverty And Inequality

Energy policy debates in Latin America are tied to the region’s fundamental policy dilemmas regarding the role of the state and the market in the economy and the quest for inclusive development. The global commodity boom that started in 2003 and lasted a decade allowed socially minded governments to address poverty and inequality and reassert the role of the state in energy resource extraction and management. At the same time, the commodity boom spurred resistance, as broad sectors of society view globalization as a driver of profound change that brings uneven benefits and threatens more disadvantaged sectors of society. This opposition became evident in the increase in social protests against large-scale energy projects, in particular by indigenous communities embracing a new environmental agenda based on identity and human rights.

scholarly journals Natural streamflow simulation for two largest river basins in Poland: a baseline for identification of flow alterations

2016 ◽  
Vol 373 ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikołaj Piniewski
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Swat Model ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Dam Reservoirs ◽  
Natural Flow ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. The objective of this study was to apply a previously developed large-scale and high-resolution SWAT model of the Vistula and the Odra basins, calibrated with the focus of natural flow simulation, in order to assess the impact of three different dam reservoirs on streamflow using the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA). A tailored spatial calibration approach was designed, in which calibration was focused on a large set of relatively small non-nested sub-catchments with semi-natural flow regime. These were classified into calibration clusters based on the flow statistics similarity. After performing calibration and validation that gave overall positive results, the calibrated parameter values were transferred to the remaining part of the basins using an approach based on hydrological similarity of donor and target catchments. The calibrated model was applied in three case studies with the purpose of assessing the effect of dam reservoirs (Włocławek, Siemianówka and Czorsztyn Reservoirs) on streamflow alteration. Both the assessment based on gauged streamflow (Before-After design) and the one based on simulated natural streamflow showed large alterations in selected flow statistics related to magnitude, duration, high and low flow pulses and rate of change. Some benefits of using a large-scale and high-resolution hydrological model for the assessment of streamflow alteration include: (1) providing an alternative or complementary approach to the classical Before-After designs, (2) isolating the climate variability effect from the dam (or any other source of alteration) effect, (3) providing a practical tool that can be applied at a range of spatial scales over large area such as a country, in a uniform way. Thus, presented approach can be applied for designing more natural flow regimes, which is crucial for river and floodplain ecosystem restoration in the context of the European Union's policy on environmental flows.

Environmental Flows

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Morrison ◽  
Erin Bray
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Environmental Flows ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
River System ◽  
Environmental Flow ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
River Health ◽  
Riverine Ecosystems

Environmental flows are commonly defined as the river-flow characteristics necessary to maintain the integrity of riverine ecosystems. The concept of environmental flows has evolved over the past half-century, beginning with the development of minimum instream flows necessary to protect a single fish species to current frameworks for holistically including all aspects of river health that depend on natural flow regimes. This also includes the interaction of terrestrial environments with riverine ecosystems during large flooding events. The challenges associated with defining and implementing environmental flows are numerous, and they sometimes lack data necessary to define flow-ecology relationships, appropriate temporal and spatial scales for environmental flow applications, and incorporate environmental flows into water management policy. Given these challenges, researchers and practitioners have made incredible advances in better understanding the relationships between river health and flow dynamics, including the links among flow, sediment, temperature, and human activities. In addition, computational advances have allowed researchers to more accurately model flow-habitat relationships at fine scales, providing a more complete understanding of the connection between flow and habitat needs for riverine species. All these advances benefit from holistic frameworks that guide environmental flow development and applications while considering the needs of other water uses in a river system. This article presents relevant studies regarding approaches for developing environmental flows, relationships between riverine ecology and flow dynamics, and policy frameworks and tools useful for implementing environmental flows in practice.

Learning ICT in Schools — DE Program in Orissa

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-564
Author(s):  
Subrat Sarkar ◽  
J. Sundarakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
The State ◽  
Classroom Teaching ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Government ◽  
Basic Infrastructure

Computer and information technology arising from it have created a revolution of sorts as far as classroom teaching is concerned. Use of the Internet and multimedia tools have engendered a newfound quest for knowledge both among the students as well as the teachers. Use of information communication technology (ICT) in the classroom teaching has given a cutting edge advantage to teachers who have understood and internalized the benefits of supplementing traditional teaching methods with computers, especially the Internet and curriculum softwares, rich in multimedia content. In some instances it has revolutionalized conceptual understanding, propelling teachers and students to explore new frontiers. Orissa being one of the most backward states of India in terms of resources and availability of basic infrastructure, posed peculiar challenges as far as the implementation of the Digital Equalizer program is concerned, which started in November 2004. From extreme poverty, remote inaccessible areas, damaged school buildings ravaged by the devastating “Super Cyclone” to tackling traditional mindsets, we have faced it all in implementing the Digital Equalizer Program. The article starts with a brief description of the ICT landscape in the state of Orissa with focuses on computer-aided learning before moving into an in depth analysis of the implementation challenges and the learning's gleaned from the pilot phase. Training, Monitoring and Evaluation, Content and Sustainability issues on which the success of a large scale ICT program like the Digital Equalizer (DE) depends, have been subjected to an in depth analysis. The customizations made to the DE Program as necessitated by the geographic factors, historical traditions and the cultural landscape in the state of Orissa will serve as a rich source of learning for policymakers in the government, program managers, management practitioners, academicians, researchers and last but not the least, students of management.

scholarly journals Large-scale wildfire reduces population growth in a peripheral population of sage-grouse

Fire Ecology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian F. Dudley ◽  
Peter S. Coates ◽  
Brian G. Prochazka ◽  
Shawn T. O’Neil ◽  
Scott Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Type Conversion ◽  
Sage Grouse ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Annual Grasses

Abstract Background Drastic increases in wildfire size and frequency threaten western North American sagebrush (Artemisia L. spp.) ecosystems. At relatively large spatial scales, wildfire facilitates type conversion of sagebrush-dominated plant communities to monocultures of invasive annual grasses (e.g., Bromus tectorum L.). Annual grasses provide fine fuels that promote fire spread, contributing to a positive grass–fire feedback cycle that affects most sagebrush ecosystems, with expected habitat loss for resident wildlife populations. Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus Bonaparte, 1827) are sagebrush obligate species that are indicators of sagebrush ecosystem function because they rely on different components of sagebrush ecosystems to meet seasonal life history needs. Because wildfire cannot be predicted, chronic impacts of wildfire on sage-grouse populations have been largely limited to correlative studies. Thus, evidence from well-designed experiments is needed to understand the specific mechanisms by which wildfire is detrimental to sage-grouse population dynamics. Results Following a significant wildfire event in the southwest periphery of sage-grouse range, we implemented a before-after-control-impact study with long-term paired (BACIP) datasets of male sage-grouse surveyed from traditional breeding grounds (leks) within and outside the wildfire boundary. We estimated sage-grouse population rate of change in apparent abundance ($$ \hat{\uplambda} $$ λ ̂ ) at burned and unburned areas before and after wildfire and derived BACIP ratios, which provide controlled evidence of wildfire impact. We found that $$ \hat{\uplambda} $$ λ ̂ at leks within the wildfire boundary decreased approximately 16% relative to leks at control sites. Furthermore, we estimated a 98.5% probability that the observed change in $$ \hat{\uplambda} $$ λ ̂ could be attributed to the wildfire. Conclusions We demonstrated adverse wildfire impacts on sage-grouse population growth using an experimental BACIP design, which disentangled the effect of wildfire disturbance from natural population fluctuations. Our results underscore the importance of active and comprehensive management actions immediately following wildfire (i.e., seeding coupled with planting sagebrush), that might offset short-term impacts of wildfire by timing rapid recovery of sagebrush to meet short-term species’ habitat requirements. Burned leks likely have substantial immediate impacts that may extend beyond wildfire boundaries, especially if critical source habitats are removed. Such impacts could fragment habitat and disrupt connectivity, thereby affecting larger populations and possibly contributing to more widespread declines in sage-grouse populations.

Is economic inequality a universal evil?

2019 ◽  
pp. 91-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rostislav I. Kapeliushnikov
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
The State ◽  
Fair Play ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Ordinary People ◽  
The Public ◽  
Discursive Power ◽  
A Current

Using published estimates of inequality for two countries (Russia and USA) the paper demonstrates that inequality measuring still remains in the state of “statistical cacophony”. Under this condition, it seems at least untimely to pass categorical normative judgments and offer radical political advice for governments. Moreover, the mere practice to draw normative conclusions from quantitative data is ethically invalid since ordinary people (non-intellectuals) tend to evaluate wealth and incomes as admissible or inadmissible not on the basis of their size but basing on whether they were obtained under observance or violations of the rules of “fair play”. The paper concludes that a current large-scale ideological campaign of “struggle against inequality” has been unleashed by left-wing intellectuals in order to strengthen even more their discursive power over the public.

TO THE PROBLEMS OF COMBATING CORRUPTION IN MODERN RUSSIA AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF ANTI-CORRUPTION

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Dranishnikova
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Modern Life ◽  
Existing Problems ◽  
Moral Point ◽  
Material Goods ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Government

In the article, the author reflects the existing problems of the fight against corruption in the Russian Federation. He focuses on the opacity of the work of state bodies, leading to an increase in bribery and corruption. The topic we have chosen is socially exciting in our days, since its significance is growing on a large scale at all levels of the investigated aspect of our modern life. Democratic institutions are being jeopardized, the difference in the position of social strata of society in society’s access to material goods is growing, and the state of society is suffering from the moral point of view, citizens are losing confidence in the government, and in the top officials of the state.

Etude de l'aménagement d'une forêt classée au Mali avec la participation des populations riveraines - Données du problème et éléments de méthodologie | A Study of the Management of a State-Owned Forest in Mali with the Participation of the Population Living nearby - Issue under Investigation and Elements of Methodology

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Pascal Schneider ◽  
Jean-Pierre Sorg
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
The State ◽  
Commercial Use ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
The People

In and around the state-owned forest of Farako in the region of Sikasso, Mali, a large-scale study focused on finding a compromise allowing the existential and legitimate needs of the population to be met and at the same time conserving the forest resources in the long term. The first step in research was to sketch out the rural socio-economic context and determine the needs for natural resources for autoconsumption and commercial use as well as the demand for non-material forest services. Simultaneously, the environmental context of the forest and the resources available were evaluated by means of inventories with regard to quality and quantity. According to an in-depth comparison between demand and potential, there is a differentiated view of the suitability of the forest to meet the needs of the people living nearby. Propositions for a multipurpose management of the forest were drawn up. This contribution deals with some basic elements of research methodology as well as with results of the study.

SEARCH FOR A NEW MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF WORLD-CLASS HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 114-119
Author(s):  
V. F. UKOLOV ◽  
◽  
E. N. OZHIGANOV ◽  
Yu. V. RAGULINA ◽  
V. V. ARKHIPOV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
The State ◽  
Type Structure ◽  
Management Model ◽  
World Class ◽  
Hydrogen Technologies

After the research, the authors came to the conclusion: it is necessary to get a new, interstate platform-type structure for the development, production and large-scale implementation of civil hydrogen technologies for various fields of activity and the state.

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