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25 pages, 3363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fault Tree Analysis of Trade-Offs between Environmental Flows and Agricultural Water Productivity in the Lake Urmia Sub-Basin Using Agent-Based Modeling

by Somayeh Emami and Hossein Dehghanisanij

Water 2024, 16(6), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16060844 - 15 Mar 2024

Viewed by 602

Abstract

The recent problems of Lake Urmia (LU) are caused by extensive and complex socio-ecological factors that require a comprehensive approach to consider the relationships between users and identify failure factors at the basin level. For this purpose, an agent-based simulation model of farmers’ [...] Read more.

The recent problems of Lake Urmia (LU) are caused by extensive and complex socio-ecological factors that require a comprehensive approach to consider the relationships between users and identify failure factors at the basin level. For this purpose, an agent-based simulation model of farmers’ social interactions and economic interests (ABM) with various support scenarios and random supervision and training by the government agent is developed to evaluate its impact on independent farmers’ decision-making in the form of a complex adaptive system. Finally, a fault tree analysis (FTA) is created in the Cara-FaultTree 4.1. software to identify scenarios that lead to the non-development technology in irrigation management (non-DTIM) in the LU sub-basin. The assessment of the impact of government supervision and training revealed that the main causes of non-DTIM in the LU basin are a lack of demands from farmers and low awareness among residents of the basin, with failure probabilities of 0.90 and 0.86, respectively. Ultimately, the failure probability of the main event (non-DTIM) was 0.50. The paths of proper training and farmers’ requirements for sustainable agricultural water supply should become more stringent. The results confirm that appropriate measures to strengthen government supervision and training, as well as raise farmers’ awareness of the importance of long-term sustainability of water resources, can lead to greater resilience in the DTIM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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30 pages, 49910 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Impacts on Nitrate Leaching and Groundwater Nitrate Dynamics Using a Holistic Approach and Med-CORDEX Climatic Models

by Aikaterini Lyra, Athanasios Loukas, Pantelis Sidiropoulos and Lampros Vasiliades

Water 2024, 16(3), 465; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030465 - 31 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 868

Abstract

This study presents the projected future evolution of water resource balance and nitrate pollution under various climate change scenarios and climatic models using a holistic approach. The study area is Almyros Basin and its aquifer system, located in Central Greece, Thessaly, Greece. Almyros [...] Read more.

This study presents the projected future evolution of water resource balance and nitrate pollution under various climate change scenarios and climatic models using a holistic approach. The study area is Almyros Basin and its aquifer system, located in Central Greece, Thessaly, Greece. Almyros Basin is a coastal agricultural basin and faces the exacerbation of water deficit and groundwater nitrate pollution. Using an Integrated Modeling System (IMS), which consists of the surface hydrology model (UTHBAL), the nitrate leachate model (REPIC, an R-ArcGIS-based EPIC model), the groundwater hydrology model (MODFLOW), and the nitrates’ advection, dispersion, and transport model (MT3MDS), the projected values of the variables of water quantity and quality are simulated. Nineteen climatic models from the Med-CORDEX database were bias-corrected with the Quantile Empirical Mapping method and employed to capture the variability in the simulated surface and groundwater water balance and nitrate dynamics. The findings indicate that future precipitation, runoff, and groundwater recharge will decrease while temperature and potential evapotranspiration will increase. Climate change will lead to reduced nitrogen leaching, lower groundwater levels, and persistent nitrate pollution; however, it will be accompanied by high variability and uncertainty, as simulations of IMS under multiple climatic models indicate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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16 pages, 5555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determining the Dependence of a Landscape’s Ecological Stability and the Intensity of Erosion during 1990–2018

by Zuzana Németová, Silvia Kohnová and Zuzana Sabová

Water 2024, 16(3), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16030378 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 663

Abstract

Among the main elements that contribute to climate change are degradation processes and the ecological level of a landscape. These two topics have been discussed and researched for many years, and many studies have been conducted. The idea behind this article is to [...] Read more.

Among the main elements that contribute to climate change are degradation processes and the ecological level of a landscape. These two topics have been discussed and researched for many years, and many studies have been conducted. The idea behind this article is to determine the correlation between the ecological stability of a territory and the intensity of degradation processes and find out how ecological stability affects the intensity of soil erosion and vice versa. The ecological stability was calculated based on various methods during the years analyzed, i.e., 1990, 2006, 2012, and 2018. The soil water erosion measurements were performed for the same period in order to identify the relationship between ecological stability and the intensity of soil erosion. The investigated area is located in the Slovak Republic, and each year reflects different types of management of the territory, reflecting the current situation in the catchment according to the year evaluated. The intensity of the erosion process was measured using a physically based EROSION-3D model based on the precipitation levels derived using the Community Land Model (the CLM). In addition to identifying the relationship between the level of ecological stability and the intensity of erosion, this study also describes the development of ecological stability during the evaluated period together with changes in soil erosion processes. The results show a dependence between the intensity of ecological stability and soil erosion. First of all, it determines whether such a dependence exists at all and also its extent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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15 pages, 7356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Value of Surface Freshwater Supply Services in the Wetlands of Jilin Province, China

by Zecheng Wang, Xinsheng Zhao, Qiongfang Ma, Lijuan Cui, Xueyan Zuo, Yunxi Lu, Yang Cai, Zhiguo Dou and Wei Li

Water 2024, 16(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020203 - 06 Jan 2024

Viewed by 796

Abstract

Wetlands are ecologically and socioeconomically crucial areas. The application of economic valuation methods could ensure the sustainable utilization of wetlands. Utilizing wetland survey data from Jilin Province, China, representative of the years 2013 and 2017, we assessed the market value of water obtained [...] Read more.

Wetlands are ecologically and socioeconomically crucial areas. The application of economic valuation methods could ensure the sustainable utilization of wetlands. Utilizing wetland survey data from Jilin Province, China, representative of the years 2013 and 2017, we assessed the market value of water obtained from wetlands. Simultaneously, we employed the PLUS model to predict changes in wetland areas of different types over the next decade and analyzed their impact on the value of freshwater resource supplies. The results indicate the following points: (1) the area of wetlands decreased from 10,852.84 km² in 2013 to 10,794.46 km² in 2017 and that, in 2027, this was projected to further decrease to 10,614.37 km², with river wetlands experiencing the most substantial decline; (2) the freshwater volumes in 2013 and 2017 were 20.81 × 10⁸ and 20.09 × 10⁸ m³, respectively, representing a 3.58% decrease. The volume for 2027 was projected to further reduce to 19.74 × 10⁸ m³, with lake wetlands contributing the most to water resources and marsh wetlands contributing the least; and (3) the obtained total value of freshwater continuously increased, rising from CNY 8.384 billion in 2013 to CNY 8.642 billion in 2017, and this was projected to further increase to CNY 9.101 billion in 2027. There was regional variation in the value of wetland freshwater resource supplies, with differences in the per unit area and per capita value among administrative units. These findings can facilitate the optimal allocation of freshwater resources in Jilin Province, promoting its sustainable development while ensuring wetland conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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29 pages, 11607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing an Approach for Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of International Rivers: The Nile River

by Yared Gari, Paul Block, Tammo S. Steenhuis, Muluneh Mekonnen, Getachew Assefa, Abebe Kidus Ephrem, Yared Bayissa and Seifu A. Tilahun

Water 2023, 15(24), 4312; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244312 - 18 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1141

Abstract

The absence of a basin-wide apportionment agreement on using the Nile River equitably has been a long-standing source of disagreement among Nile riparian states. This study introduces a new approach that the riparian states can consider that quantifies the Nile River’s apportionment. The [...] Read more.

The absence of a basin-wide apportionment agreement on using the Nile River equitably has been a long-standing source of disagreement among Nile riparian states. This study introduces a new approach that the riparian states can consider that quantifies the Nile River’s apportionment. The approach includes (1) developing a basin-wide database of indicators representative of the United Nations Watercourse Convention (UNWC) relevant factors and circumstances, (2) developing an ensemble of indicator weighting scenarios using various weighting methods, and (3) developing six water-sharing methods to obtain a range of apportionments for Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia and the group of the White Nile Equatorial States for each weighting scenarios. The results illustrate a relatively narrow range of country-level water apportionments, even though some individual factor weights vary from 3% to 26%. Considering the entire Nile River, the water apportionment for Ethiopia ranges from 32% to 38%, Sudan and South Sudan from 25% to 33%, Egypt from 26% to 35%, and the Equatorial States from 5% to 7%. We trust that the six proposed equitable water-sharing methods may aid in fostering basin-wide negotiations toward a mutual agreement and address the dispute over water sharing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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27 pages, 2644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fostering Well-Being in Resettled Communities: Cultivating Cultural Resilience and Sustainable Development in Resettlement Caused by Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project, Pakistan

by Saira Abid, Guoqing Shi, Abid Hussain and Abdul Rauf

Water 2023, 15(22), 3973; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15223973 - 15 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1110

Abstract

The construction of hydropower projects is increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly in the context of climate change mitigation. Community displacement resulting from the construction of these projects raises significant questions about the post-resettlement welfare and satisfaction of the individuals subjected to project-associated relocation and [...] Read more.

The construction of hydropower projects is increasingly prevalent worldwide, particularly in the context of climate change mitigation. Community displacement resulting from the construction of these projects raises significant questions about the post-resettlement welfare and satisfaction of the individuals subjected to project-associated relocation and resettlement processes. Accordingly, the purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of physical resources, locational characteristics, the resettlement area, health facilities, housing facilities, communication, and the socio-cultural environment on the satisfaction of resettled people, along with two mediators: sustainable development and cultural resilience in the resettlement of the project-affected communities of the Barotha Hydropower Project (GBHP) in Pakistan. In this cross-sectional study, data are collected from 223 resettlers from three villages (Barotha, Eassa, and Feroze). The researchers examined sustainable development and cultural resilience as mediating factors that play a role in resettlers’ satisfaction. The physical resource results indicate that, in the GBHPP, resettled people are unsatisfied, while other variables such as locational characteristics, resettlement area, health facilities, housing facilities, communication, and socio-cultural environment play a significant role in resettlement satisfaction. The role of both mediators, sustainable development and cultural resilience, strengthen the relationship between the predictors and criteria in terms of their value and their contribution to the resettlers’ satisfaction. Through the analysis of these variables, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of these factors, which contribute to the satisfaction of resettlers. Additionally, the study seeks to provide insights that can inform the development of strategies that foster the creation of resilient and prosperous resettlement communities. The research conclusions will also aid in developing policies and community initiatives that support the happiness and wellbeing of resettled communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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15 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Systems Approach to Identifying Hazards in the Management of Stream Buffers for the Protection of Drinking Water Quality

by Hew Cameron Merrett and Jao-Jia Horng

Water 2023, 15(21), 3848; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15213848 - 03 Nov 2023

Viewed by 657

Abstract

In drinking water catchments, exploiting ecosystem services provided by stream buffers has the potential to complement conventional engineering solutions such as water treatment and reduce the overall public health risks to consumers. These stream buffers interrupt the movement of contaminants and sediments from [...] Read more.

In drinking water catchments, exploiting ecosystem services provided by stream buffers has the potential to complement conventional engineering solutions such as water treatment and reduce the overall public health risks to consumers. These stream buffers interrupt the movement of contaminants and sediments from non-point source sources, such as agricultural land, to surface waters. Effectively managing stream buffers can be challenging due to the complexity and diversity of factors that can directly and indirectly impact efficacy. This study uses System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) and Early Warning Signal Analysis based on STPA (EWaSAP) methodology to systematically examine the sociotechnical structures for managing stream buffers in surface water catchments using a theoretical scenario representative of typical surface water supplies. The combination of STPA and EWaSAP provides a practical approach for developing requirements for stream buffers in drinking water catchments, focusing on hazard assessment and management measures. The evaluation considers the complex management arrangements for land uses within catchment areas. The performance and effectiveness of these actions can be tracked through the selected sensors and early warning measures. As a practical matter, this approach would help specify requirements for catchment management and drinking water source protection that can be systematically integrated into relevant management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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21 pages, 9977 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantification of Spatiotemporal Variability of Evapotranspiration (ET) and the Contribution of Influencing Factors for Different Land Cover Types in the Yunnan Province

by Wei Su, Huaiyong Shao, Wei Xian, Zhanglin Xie, Cunbo Zhang and Huilin Yang

Water 2023, 15(18), 3309; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183309 - 19 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 826

Abstract

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of terrestrial ecosystems and is sensitive to climate and land-use change due to its obvious link to ecohydrological processes. Therefore, understanding the spatiotemporal variability of evapotranspiration and its drivers under different land cover types plays an important [...] Read more.

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of terrestrial ecosystems and is sensitive to climate and land-use change due to its obvious link to ecohydrological processes. Therefore, understanding the spatiotemporal variability of evapotranspiration and its drivers under different land cover types plays an important role in estimating the impact of environmental change on the regional water cycle. In this study, we first estimated the spatiotemporal variations of ET for different land cover types in the Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2020 using the MODIS-Terra ET product (MOD16A2.06) and meteorological datasets, and quantified the contribution of six factors: namely, temperature (TEMP), precipitation (PRCP), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (WDSP), soil moisture (SLME), NDVI, elevation, and slope, to the ET under different land cover types by using a ridge regression model. We then discussed the main reasons for the differences in ET in the Yunnan Province under different land cover types. The conclusions are as follows: during the study period, the annual mean ET ranged from 27 to 1183 mm, and there was a large spatial heterogeneity in its spatial distribution, with the smallest increasing trend of 2.1 mm/year in agricultural land and the largest increasing trend of 4.7 mm/year in grassland. Except for cropland, the sum of the relative contributions of the three influence factors, precipitation (PRCP), NDVI, and elevation, to all land cover types exceeded 40%, making them the most dominant factors influencing ET changes in the Yunnan Province. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of climate, vegetation, topography, and soils on ET, and contributes to the development of appropriate water resource management policies for different subsurface types in the context of climate warming and revegetation programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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18 pages, 1852 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Vegetation Area Design in an Arid Region Based on Water Resource Carrying Capacity—Taking Minqin County as an Example

by Hengjia Zhang, Jiandong Yu, Tianliang Jiang, Shouchao Yu, Chenli Zhou, Fuqiang Li and Xietian Chen

Water 2023, 15(18), 3238; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15183238 - 11 Sep 2023

Viewed by 775

Abstract

Water resource management and natural vegetation distribution status are important for the sustainable development of agricultural, ecological and socio-economic systems in arid areas, and the carrying area of vegetation is limited by the established water resources. This study proposed the concept of natural [...] Read more.

Water resource management and natural vegetation distribution status are important for the sustainable development of agricultural, ecological and socio-economic systems in arid areas, and the carrying area of vegetation is limited by the established water resources. This study proposed the concept of natural vegetation area design in arid areas based on water resource design carrying capacity and took Minqin County belonging to a typical inland arid area as an example and socio-economic water consumption, ecological water consumption and water resource utilization efficiency in the study area as the main selected factors as well as reference indicators. By calculating the water ecological footprint, water resource carrying and water resource ecological pressure index of the main natural vegetation design area in Minqin County in 2017, we analyzed and evaluated its water resource carrying status and predicted the natural vegetation areas in 2025. The results showed that there was a large gap (the increase was 13.25–9.29%) between the actual area of various types of natural vegetation in 2017 and that in 2025. The water resource utilization was more effective in various types of natural vegetation in Minqin County under the stable development model, and the water ecological deficit was approaching 0, but the utilization of forest trees other than shrubs and herbaceous plants was in an insecure state, and the water ecological deficit was less than 0. The water resource allocation schemes under the restoration model and the optimization model were safer ecological development models for natural vegetation in Minqin County, which was in a state of water-ecological surplus, and the water-ecological surplus value was greater than 0. Thus, it could be seen that coordinating the water resource supply among various types of natural vegetation in an arid area was a preferred strategy to ensure the sustainable development of regional ecology as well as an effective countermeasure to improve the water use efficiency of natural vegetation in the county to a certain extent. This study aimed to evaluate the carrying capacity of a natural vegetation area and the water pressure index under certain water supply conditions, which could provide a reasonable theoretical reference for water resource management in arid areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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15 pages, 1071 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Collective Rescue: Why the Government Can Collaborate with the Public during Extreme Precipitation

by Shupeng Lyu, Gongcheng Gao, Ching-Hung Lee, Lishuang Sun, Ning Xu and Chen Qian

Water 2023, 15(15), 2848; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152848 - 07 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1087

Abstract

Extreme precipitation poses significant threats to economic development and social security. In order to tackle this formidable issue, the Chinese government has invested substantial investments to promote the “sponge city” project. However, extreme precipitation in Zhengzhou on 21 July 2021 proved that this [...] Read more.

Extreme precipitation poses significant threats to economic development and social security. In order to tackle this formidable issue, the Chinese government has invested substantial investments to promote the “sponge city” project. However, extreme precipitation in Zhengzhou on 21 July 2021 proved that this effort fell far short of its goal, highlighting the difficulty in relying solely on the government to respond to severe disasters. Collaborations between the public and the government have become essential for effectively managing extreme precipitation risk. However, bridging the gap between the public and the government remains a challenging task in China. Interestingly, an Online Collaborative Document (OCD) emerged without any financial investment from the government yet went on to save countless lives. The key lies in that the OCD greatly promoted the cooperation between spontaneous volunteering and official response. This study aims to explain how an OCD encourages effective collaboration between spontaneous volunteering and official responses in tackling extreme precipitation risk. This study employs the method of the case study about the extreme precipitation and analyzes the directed survey on the spontaneous volunteers, grassroots government officials, and affected individuals who used the OCD. Additionally, a variety of data collection techniques, including focus groups and one-on-one interviews, are used to examine the relevant information. This study explores how the OCD eliminated the paradox of collaboration between spontaneous volunteering and the official response thereby fostering coordination between them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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16 pages, 2956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variation in Sustainable Water Resources and Their Use Based on Improved Combination Weights

by Xiaoran Tian, Ning Jiang, Chaojie Jin, Tangzhe Nie, Yu Gao and Fanxiang Meng

Water 2023, 15(15), 2752; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152752 - 29 Jul 2023

Viewed by 818

Abstract

The sustainable use of water resources has become increasingly crucial given the present water supply and demand situation. In this study, the degree of sustainable water resource utilization in Harbin City from 2014 to 2021 was calculated using a fuzzy identification model with [...] Read more.

The sustainable use of water resources has become increasingly crucial given the present water supply and demand situation. In this study, the degree of sustainable water resource utilization in Harbin City from 2014 to 2021 was calculated using a fuzzy identification model with a combination of the “sequential relationship analysis method (G1) and coefficient of variation method (CVM)” and 18 evaluation indicators retrieved for water resources, reflecting social, economic, and ecological aspects. The study shows that (1) in terms of the research method, the combined weighting of “G1-CVM” is a feasible approach to avoid the shortcomings of single weighting and (2) in terms of the evaluation of water resources sustainable utilization, the spatial distribution of water resources in each district (county) of Harbin City has been stable over the past 8 years. The spatial distribution pattern is relatively stable, with the three regions of Binxian, Bayan, and Shuangcheng showing better sustainable water resource utilization and the three regions of Tonghe County, including the main urban area and Wuchang City, showing deteriorating sustainable water resource utilization. As a whole, the spatial distribution of sustainable water resources in the 13 districts (counties) of Harbin City from 2014 to 2021 shows a negative correlation, with the main urban area, Wuchang City, Hulan District, Bayan County, Shuangcheng District, and Yilan County showing a clustering type in the local spatial autocorrelation analysis. Based on the evaluation results, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of the sustainable use of water resources in Harbin are identified and found to be conducive to the timely adjustment of water resources allocation and the rational use of water resources in each district (county). Meanwhile, the research ideas and methods used in this paper can be applied to research on the sustainable use of water resources in other regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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26 pages, 1105 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resettlement and Compensation Practice in the Context of the Tha Htay Hydropower Project in Rakhine, Myanmar

by Aung Tun Lin and Kaiwen Yao

Water 2023, 15(13), 2496; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132496 - 07 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1697

Abstract

This research investigates the views of the resettled people regarding the practice of resettlement and compensation (RCP) to assess the developmental progress of the Tha Htay hydropower (THH) project and establish a resettlement relationship from various perspectives. In this paper, a convergent mixed [...] Read more.

This research investigates the views of the resettled people regarding the practice of resettlement and compensation (RCP) to assess the developmental progress of the Tha Htay hydropower (THH) project and establish a resettlement relationship from various perspectives. In this paper, a convergent mixed research method was used for interpretations and analyses of the whole resettlement and compensation practice. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the collected data on the resettlement practices of those participants who presented it by frequency and percentage of quantitative findings. The study revealed that educational facilities and development received the highest average rating from the participants, indicating a higher level of satisfaction. On the other hand, the current living situation and job opportunities received the lowest rating, indicating lower satisfaction in this aspect. Overall, the respondents expressed satisfaction with other indicators of the resettlement process, such as site selection, housing, compensation, and fundamental infrastructure services. Despite receiving foreign technical advisory assistance for resettlement and sustainable livelihoods for the resettled communities, the project fell short in providing agricultural or cultivation land as a replacement for those who relied on land-based livelihoods. It was verified that most of the resettled people seemed poorer than in the previous condition, and they were facing higher living standards without adequate income. It is therefore crucial for the project proponent to take active measures in supporting the three resettled Villages by providing agricultural land and assisting them in their livelihoods and overall living conditions, so as to ensure that the resettled households do not face long-term challenges in sustaining their livelihoods after the resettlement project. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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18 pages, 7270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal and Spatial Variation Analysis of Lake Area Based on the ESTARFM Model: A Case Study of Qilu Lake in Yunnan Province, China

by Ziyuan Wang, Xingyue Liu, Wei Li, Shuqiang He and Tingdan Zheng

Water 2023, 15(10), 1800; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15101800 - 09 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1389

Abstract

Qilu Lake is one of the nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China. In recent years, under the influence of extreme climate and human activities, the area of Qilu Lake has shrunk significantly, the water level has dropped, and the problem of water [...] Read more.

Qilu Lake is one of the nine plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, China. In recent years, under the influence of extreme climate and human activities, the area of Qilu Lake has shrunk significantly, the water level has dropped, and the problem of water shortage has become increasingly serious. Based on the Landsat and MODIS image data from 2000 to 2020, this study applied the ESTARFM spatiotemporal fusion model to unify the data images used in the study to February, used three kinds of water body indexes, selected the water body index most suitable for the study area to extract relevant information, and analyzed the spatiotemporal change characteristics of Qilu Lake area in the last 20 years. The results showed that: (1) Based on the ESTARFM model, the Landsat and MODIS data on 18 January 2020, the Landsat and MODIS data on 9 May 2020, and the MODIS data on the date to be predicted (February 13) were fused to obtain the Landsat image data of the predicted date, which met the accuracy requirements; (2) Taking 2005 as an example, the NDWI, MNDWI, and AWEI_sh indexes were used to extract the water body with the precisions of 99.0%, 99.6% and 98.6%, respectively, and then the MNDWI water body index was selected to extract the lake area; (3) In the past 20 years, the overall area of Qilu Lake has shown a downward trend, with the area reduced by 0.7132 km². From 2000 to 2010, the lake area was relatively stable, fluctuating up and down around 36 km². From 2010 to 2015, the lake area decreased sharply, with a change rate of −40%. After 2015, the lake area gradually increased; (4) The spatial change of Qilu Lake area mainly occurred in the southwest and west, which decreased by 0.44 km² and 0.49 km², respectively, and there were small fluctuations in other directions. In the past two decades, the shape index of Qilu Lake has shown a downward trend as a whole; the contour of the lake tends to be simplified, the contour is complex and stable from 2000 to 2010, and the shape index decreases from 2.17 to 1.74 from 2010 to 2020; (5) The change in the Qilu Lake area is positively correlated with the change in the water level. Polynomial models with different times were selected as the model for retrieving water level elevation from the Qilu Lake water surface area, with a highest correlation coefficient of 0.9259. The temporal and spatial changes of the Qilu Lake area in the last 20 years are the result of the joint action of natural factors and socio-economic factors. According to the analysis, the annual average temperature, annual precipitation, annual average sunshine hours, and population density are the main driving forces leading to the change. In the future, the government and relevant researchers should strengthen real-time monitoring and regular research, formulate and optimize emergency plans to deal with changes in the ecological environment of lakes, and promote the sustainable development of the ecological environment and social economy of the basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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14 pages, 561 KiB

Open AccessArticle

River Green Land and Its Influence on Urban Economy, Leisure Development, Ecological Protection, and the Well-Being of the Elderly

by Xiao-Juan Du, Hsiao-Hsien Lin, I-Cheng Hsu, Ying Ling, Su-Fang Zhang and Qi-Yuan Li

Water 2023, 15(7), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071350 - 01 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1729

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the green space generated by river water engineering can promote urban development and the well-being of the elderly in high-risk environments. Firstly, quantitative research methods were used to analyze 750 valid questionnaires, and IBM [...] Read more.

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether the green space generated by river water engineering can promote urban development and the well-being of the elderly in high-risk environments. Firstly, quantitative research methods were used to analyze 750 valid questionnaires, and IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 statistical software was used for data inspection. We continued to adopt the qualitative research method and collect the opinions of nine respondents according to the results of the questionnaire analysis. The data were then integrated, categorized, summarized, compared, and finally examined by multivariate analysis. The river green land has rich ecological and natural landscape resources and spacious leisure space, creating a comfortable leisure and living environment. This can increase job opportunities, promote community and economic development, and create safe leisure conditions. It can also improve people’s willingness for leisure, increase opportunities for interpersonal communication, and improve the quality of life and happiness of the elderly. If we should strengthen the soil structure of the river, pay attention to ecological conservation, and reduce exhaust gas and noise pollution to provide a more complete leisure space and enhance the contribution of river green space to rural areas and lives of the local elderly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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13 pages, 2862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Demand and Structural Changes in China’s Water Resources over the Next 30 Years

by Qiang Yan, Yan Zhang and Qingwei Wang

Water 2023, 15(4), 745; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040745 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2000

Abstract

The medium and long-term demand prediction for water resources is critical to the country’s macro-allocation of water resources and the formulation of a long-term regional economic development strategy. However, the official prediction report of China’s water resources was created ten years ago, and [...] Read more.

The medium and long-term demand prediction for water resources is critical to the country’s macro-allocation of water resources and the formulation of a long-term regional economic development strategy. However, the official prediction report of China’s water resources was created ten years ago, and its results are far from accurate in practice making it difficult to direct China’s water resource planning in the coming ten years. By introducing the demand forecasting method for the first time, this study built a mathematical prediction model that integrates “data constraint + mathematical prediction + actuarial prediction”. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The new method developed in this research is more accurate than previous prediction methods and has a higher degree of matching with actual data. Despite the problem of trend extrapolation, this model can accurately understand the long-term trend. However, the amount of data must be calculated. (2) China’s consumption of total water, agricultural water, industrial water, domestic water, and ecological water will predict to be 552.9 billion m³, 319.1 billion m³, 95.7 billion m³, 95.5 billion m³ and 42.6 billion m³ in 2030, respectively, as well as 504.7 billion m³, 281.1 billion m³, 61.4 billion m³, 101.4 billion m³, and 60.8 billion m³ in 2050, respectively, indicating obvious structural changes. (3) China’s industrial structure evolves frequently; therefore, water resource forecasting must account for changes in industrial structure as well as geographical variances. In North China, agricultural water demand will fall, but ecological water investment will rise. The planning and distribution of the nation’s water resources will significantly be influenced theoretically and practically by the development of this methodology study. This method is universal and can be used for long-term prediction of future water demand in other countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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Review

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20 pages, 5318 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review and Comparative Analysis of IWCM Concepts in Australia and Similar Jurisdictions

by Tasneem Rangwala, Pierre Mukheibir and Simon Fane

Water 2023, 15(7), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071369 - 03 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2360

Abstract

Interpretations of integrated water cycle management (IWCM) differ across jurisdictions. This paper discusses 10 interpretations of the IWCM concept globally, in Australia and in jurisdictions similar to Australia. Five interpretations of many IWCM versions in Australia are reviewed. This strategic concept aims to [...] Read more.

Interpretations of integrated water cycle management (IWCM) differ across jurisdictions. This paper discusses 10 interpretations of the IWCM concept globally, in Australia and in jurisdictions similar to Australia. Five interpretations of many IWCM versions in Australia are reviewed. This strategic concept aims to address the internal challenges of managing water demand and supply, achieving appropriate disposal and/or wastewater recycling for re-use and distribution networks and providing services at an affordable rate, per changing community needs. The IWCM concept is also recognised as a resource planning tool to address external challenges, such as the uncertainties of climate change, the circular economy and resilience. All 10 IWCM concepts reviewed in this paper acknowledge governance and stakeholders to be of primary importance: governance to drive the conceptual interpretation and stakeholders to develop, drive, implement and promote IWCM as adept at addressing local challenges. The two global interpretations place primary importance on governance, stakeholder engagement and natural resource management, whereas the local interpretations place equally high importance on water critical infrastructure and water economy. Technology, which is changing at an unprecedented pace, is considered, but not as an immediate or primary challenge. These differences are mainly attributed to the organisations’ responsibilities and constraints, which drive IWCM concept design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive Water Resources Management in an Era of Changing Climatic, Environmental and Social Conditions)

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