Groundwater sustainability: a review of the interactions between science and policy

Environmental Research Letters, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 093004 - 093004

Published: April 29, 2020

Concerns over groundwater depletion and ecosystem degradation have led to the incorporation of concept sustainability as a policy instrument in several water codes management directives worldwide. Because sustainable is embedded within integrated, co-evolving hydrological, ecological, socioeconomic systems, implementing such policies remains challenge for managers scientific community. The problem further exacerbated when participatory processes are lacking, resulting communication gap among authorities, scientists, broader This paper provides systematic review sustainability, situates this calls from hydrologic literature more integrated approaches security. We discuss definition both perspective, tracing evolution safe yield, management. focus on diversity societal values related typology aquifer performance governance factors. In addition, we systematically main components an effective evaluation policy, which multi-process modeling, uncertainty analysis, participation. conclude that implementation requires iterative (i) engages stakeholders process through collaborative modeling social learning; (ii) improved understanding coevolving scenarios between surface water-groundwater ecosystems, human activities; (iii) acknowledges addresses our knowledge preferences using multi-model analysis adaptive Although development transdisciplinary research approach, connects science, practice evaluation, still its infancy worldwide, find towards growing at much faster rate than whole.

Language: Английский

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Equity in Water Resources Planning: A Path Forward for Decision Support Modelers

Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 148(7)

Published: May 2, 2022

Forum papers are thought-provoking opinion pieces or essays founded in fact, sometimes containing speculation, on a civil engineering topic of general interest and relevance to the readership journal. The views expressed this article do not necessarily reflect ASCE Editorial Board

Language: Английский

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Decision-support systems for water management

Journal of Hydrology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 610, P. 127928 - 127928

Published: May 13, 2022

Language: Английский

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Operationalizing Integrated Water Resource Management in Latin America: Insights from Application of the Freshwater Health Index

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 69(4), P. 815 - 834

Published: March 10, 2021

Water crises in Latin America are more a consequence of poor management than resource scarcity. Addressing water issues through better coordination, identification problems and solutions, agreement on common objectives to operationalize integrated resources (IWRM) could greatly improve governance the region. Composite indices have great potential help overcome capacity information challenges while supporting IWRM. We applied one such index, Freshwater Health Index (FHI) three river basins (Alto Mayo, Perú; Bogotá, Colombia; Guandu, Brazil) assess freshwater ecosystem vitality, services, system place. The approach included convening agencies, utilities, planning authorities, local NGOs industries, community groups researchers co-implement FHI. results provide detailed ecological integrity each basin sustainability services being provided. All show very low scores for stakeholder engagement, thus improving both region should be priority. also shed light how FHI framework can inform decision-making IWRM implementation by facilitating engagement contributing solutions as well objectives. Because is part solution United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.5 ("By 2030, implement at all levels, including transboundary cooperation appropriate"), our case studies serve examples other American countries achieve SDG 6.5.

Language: Английский

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Producing valuable information from hydrologic models of nature‐based solutions for water

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 18(1), P. 135 - 147

Published: Aug. 19, 2021

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are an increasingly popular approach to water resources management, with a growing number of projects designed take advantage landscape effects on flow. As NBS for developed, producing hydrologic information inform decisions often requires substantial investment in data acquisition and modeling; this effort be worthwhile, the generated must useful used. We apply evaluation framework salience (type information), credibility (quality legitimacy (trustworthiness information) assess how modeling outputs have been used by three types decision makers: advocates, implementers, analysts. Our findings, based documents interviews watershed management programs South America currently implementing NBS, consider supports two projects: quantifying impact potential existing prioritizing where might sited within watershed. To help future studies, we identify several problematic assumptions that analysts may make about modeled when advocates implementers not effectively engaged. find salient, credible, legitimate results applications evaluating always absence clear communication engagement. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:135-147. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment Management published Wiley Periodicals LLC behalf Society Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Language: Английский

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Investing in nature-based solutions: Cost profiles of collective-action watershed investment programs

Ecosystem Services, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 59, P. 101507 - 101507

Published: Jan. 5, 2023

Worldwide, an increasing number of watershed management programs invest in nature-based solutions (NbS) to water security challenges. Yet, NbS for currently are deployed at well below their hypothesized cost-effective global potential, with uncertainty about costs identified as one key constraint on increased investment. Data administrative and transaction investment especially limited, but the few available studies indicate that these can be substantial. We conducted a cost survey municipal-scale collective-action programs, which pool resources from users other stakeholders finance NbS. obtained data 18 Latin America Caribbean (16), Asia (1) Africa intervention areas 133 ha over 100,000 ha. During first ten years, ≥ 10 years had average annual 0.25–3.02 million (median: 0.75 million) purchasing power-adjusted 2018 international dollars, per-hectare varied more than 50-fold among programs. Administrative accounted 46 % (range: 10–84 %) total cumulative across during years. This share sharply declined initial five stabilized around 40 percent costs. The wide range costs, size shares reflect diverse local contexts, portfolios, program design implementation characteristics. While large, observed is not surprising given social, political, institutional, technical complexity implementing involve land use changes similar some large public environmental Our findings consistent estimates comparable underscoring need budget substantial throughout life cycle.

Language: Английский

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Progress in modeling dynamic systems for sustainable development

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(40)

Published: Sept. 26, 2023

This Perspective evaluates recent progress in modeling nature-society systems to inform sustainable development. We argue that work has begun address longstanding and often-cited challenges bringing bear on problems of For each four stages practice-defining purpose, selecting components, analyzing interactions, assessing interventions-we highlight examples dynamical methods advances their application have improved understanding action. Because many these associated focused particular sectors places, potential key open questions the field sustainability science is often underappreciated. discuss how such helps researchers interested harnessing insights into specific locations human well-being, focus sustainability-relevant timescales, attend power differentials among actors. In parallel, helping advance theory by enhancing uptake utility frameworks, clarifying concepts through more rigorous definitions, informing development archetypes can assist hypothesis testing. conclude suggesting ways further leverage emerging context science.

Language: Английский

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Addressing Water Scarcity to Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract Water scarcity is projected to affect half of the world’s population, gradually exacerbated by climate change. This article elaborates from a panel discussion at 2023 United Nations Conference on Addressing Scarcity Achieve Climate Resilience and Human Health. Understanding addressing water goes beyond hydrological balances also include societal economic measures. We consider five categories health impacts resulting deteriorating qualities quantities: (i.) water-related diseases for hygiene, (ii.) malnutrition food, (iii.) livelihoods, income, development, energy, (iv.) adverse air quality drought-induced dust wildfire smoke, (v.) mental effects scarcity-related factors. A barriers opportunities resilient systems begins re-framing as ‘pathway bankruptcy’ introducing Partnerships empowering local leaders with awareness, education, resources devise implement locally-appropriate management strategies. Other lack tools socio-economic implications scarcity, information being in actionable formats decision-makers, clarity application modelling gain policy-relevant findings, inadequate drought adaptation planning. The includes recommendations governments, national international actors, researchers, non-governmental organizations, constituents these barriers. predominant theme collaborative, multi-disciplinary Partnerships, knowledge-sharing accessible formats, participation all. paper’s central thesis that must focus people their ability lead healthy productive lives.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating an Earth system model from a water manager perspective

Hydrology and earth system sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 29(4), P. 1117 - 1133

Published: Feb. 28, 2025

Abstract. The large spatial scale of global Earth system models (ESMs) is often cited as an obstacle to using the output by water resource managers in localized decisions. Recent advances computing have improved fidelity hydrological responses ESMs through increased connectivity between model components. However, are seldom evaluated for their ability reproduce metrics that important and resonate with practitioners or allow situate higher-resolution outputs within a cascade uncertainty stemming from different scenarios. We draw on combined experience author team manager workshop participants identify salient management evaluate whether they credibly reproduced over conterminous USA Community System Model v2 (CESM2) Large Ensemble. find that, while exact values may not match observations, aspects such interannual variability can be CESM2 mean wet day precipitation length dry spells. also captures proportion total annual derives heaviest rain days watersheds snow-dominated. Aggregating 7 d daily runoff two-digit Hydrological Unit Code (HUC2) shows rain-dominated regions capture timing maximum minimum flows. conclude there potential far greater use large-ensemble ESMs, CESM2, long-range decisions supplement high-resolution regional projections.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites

Water Resources Research, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 56(10)

Published: Sept. 19, 2020

Abstract The rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development (UD), made possible by horizontal drilling hydraulic fracturing, has triggered concerns over groundwater contamination public health risks. To improve our understanding the risks posed UD, we develop a physically based, spatially explicit framework for evaluating well vulnerability to aqueous phase contaminants released from surface spills leaks at UD pad locations. proposed utilizes concept capture probability incorporates decision‐relevant planning horizons acceptable support goal‐oriented modeling protection. We illustrate approach in northeastern Pennsylvania, where high intensity activity overlaps with local dependence on domestic wells. Using two alternative models bedrock aquifer precautionary paradigm integrate their results, found that most wells domain had low as extent modeled probabilistic zones were smaller than distances nearest existing pad. also simulated sensitive model parameters matrix conductivity, porosity, pumping rate, ratio fracture conductivity. Our analysis demonstrated potential inadequacy current state‐mandated setback allow within boundaries delineated zones. framework, while limited contamination, emphasizes need incorporate information flow paths transport timescales into policies aiming protect UD.

Language: Английский

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