Avian-botulism risk in waterbird breeding colonies and implications for environmental water management

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
K. J. Brandis ◽  
J. Spencer ◽  
B. Wolfenden ◽  
D. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Colonial Waterbirds ◽  
Avian Botulism

Avian botulism poses a significant risk to waterbird health in Australian wetlands. This paralytic, often fatal, disease occurs when birds ingest a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Our current understanding of avian botulism comes largely from studies in the northern hemisphere, with many of these studies linking outbreaks of avian botulism with poor water quality. The Murray–Darling Basin provides the most important breeding habitat for colonial waterbirds in Australia, but the frequency of large-scale breeding events has declined, and waterbird populations are near record-low numbers. Avian botulism has the capacity to have significant impacts on waterbird recruitment if not managed appropriately. We propose that environmental water-management strategies that aim to maintain water quality through flow delivery to waterbird colonies could mitigate the risk of botulism outbreaks and contribute to waterbird population recovery.

Irrigator and Environmental Water Management Adaptation to Climate Change and Water Reallocation in the Murray–Darling Basin

2015 ◽  
Vol 01 (03) ◽  
pp. 1550009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mac Kirby ◽  
Jeff Connor ◽  
Mobin-ud Din Ahmad ◽  
Lei Gao ◽  
Mohammed Mainuddin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Gross Income ◽  
The Impact

In an earlier paper (Kirby et al. 2014a), we showed that climate change and a new policy which reallocates water to the environment will impact both the flow of water and the income derived from irrigation in the Murray–Darling Basin. Here, we extend the analysis to consider irrigator and environmental water management strategies to adapt to these new circumstances. Using an integrated hydrology-economics model, we examine a range of strategies and their impact on flows and the gross income of irrigation. We show that the adaptation strategies provide a range of flow and economic outcomes in the Basin. Several strategies offer significant scope to enhance flows without large adverse impacts on the gross income of irrigation overall. Some environmental water management strategies enhance flows in the Murray part of the basin even under the drying influence of a projected median climate change. Irrigator strategies that include carryover of water in storage from one year to the next provide for lesser year to year variability in gross income and may be regarded as more advantageous in providing security against droughts. Flows and the gross income of low value irrigation industries strategies are sensitive to climate change, irrespective of adaptation strategy. Should a projected dry extreme climate change be realized, no strategy can prevent a large reduction in flows and also in gross income, particularly of low value irrigation industries. Nevertheless, environmental water management strategies mitigate the impact on flows, and in some cases may also help mitigate the impacts on gross income. High value irrigation industries are less affected (in terms of gross income, though net income will reduce because of rising water prices) by projected climate change, consistent with observation in the recent long term drought.

scholarly journals Supporting Sustainable Water Management: Insights from Australia’s Reform Journey and Future Directions for the Murray–Darling Basin

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen Papas
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Weather Extremes ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Productivity Commission ◽  
The Government

Effective regulation of freshwater remains one of the biggest challenges facing our societies. In times of record-breaking weather extremes spurred by a changing climate, decision makers are increasingly aware of the need to formulate more effective governance to ensure the reliability, accessibility, and quality of this life-giving resource. In recent years, the Australian government has played a key role in water management. The government has managed a significant amount of water entitlements in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), through its Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) agency, in a bid to increase river flows and thus improve the river system’s environmental and ecological conditions. The CEWH is unique in many respects, and the Australian government’s control of its budget and actions is a critical aspect of the Basin’s sustainable long-term management. Despite the importance of this instrument, this article points out that there are serious issues with the current governance arrangements, such as inherent conflicts in the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) role, which is a concern raised by the Productivity Commission. This article goes on to recommend the policy changes required to address Basin-wide issues and promote sustainable practices to ensure the MDB’s long-term resilience.

NEW DIRECTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE SETO INLAND SEA

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Iba ◽  
Kenichiro Iba ◽  
Takuya Ishikawa ◽  
Takuya Ishikawa ◽  
Keizo Negi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Seto Inland Sea ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
The Seto Inland Sea ◽  
The Law ◽  
Seaweed Bed

The Seto Inland Sea, the largest enclosed sea in Japan, has unrivalled beauty of archipelago and abundant nature under temperate climate with light rain falls, and the people has been benefitted from the sea ever since the early times. We however experienced sever water pollution problems caused by rapid industrialization and the loss of seaweed bed and tidal flat due to reclamation projects particularly in the period of the high economic growth in 1960s. To resolve these issues, we have carried out water quality improvement programs including reduction of pollutant load based upon the Water Pollution Control Law and the Law concerning Special Measures for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea. As a result, water quality has improved as compared with Tokyo Bay and other enclosed seas. However, there are still severe problems including the occurrence of red tide and oxygen deficient water mass in some areas in the Seto Inland Sea. Securing the bio-diversity, bio-productivity and smooth nutrient circulation are also important. Under these situations, the Law and the Basic Plan for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea were revised in 2015. With these law and plan, it has been made clear that our principal objective is to make the Seto Inland Sea a “Bountiful Sea” through conservation of water quality with bio-diversity and bio-productivity. Also the importance to implement environmental measures corresponding local differences in the respective region and seasonality were indicated. In order to actualize “the Beautiful and Bountiful Seto Inland Sea”, we need to implement environmental water management as follows. 1. Environmental conservation, restoration and creation of coastal areas. 2. Conservation and management of water quality. 3. Conservation of natural and cultural landscapes. 4. Sustainable utilization of fishery resources. Ministry of the Environment, Japan will continue to conduct corresponding programs based on scientific survey and evaluation on conservation/restoration of seaweed bed, tidal flat, smooth circulation of nutrients.

scholarly journals Public Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities for Strategic Sustainable Domestic Water Management. A Case of Iringa Region In Tanzania

J ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-466
Author(s):  
Mesia Lufingo
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply ◽  
Mandatory Service ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

Water supply is a mandatory service for the majority from respective legal public water utilities, and its sustainability reflects implementations of best management strategies at a local level. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess current approaches used in water quality and quantity management and (ii) propose a sustainable domestic water management strategy. This was achieved through secondary water data trends, on-site water quality assessments, visits of water supply and sanitation authorities, and assessment of their performances. It was observed that water supplied in rural-based authorities was quite different from that supplied in an urban setting as far as quality and quantity are concerned; urban-based supplies are more affordable to users than rural ones. A new strategy on water management is presented for sustainable water supply; it is based on controlling groundwater abstractions and preference of surface water in public water supplies. Rural water supply management must learn several practices realized in urban supplies for the betterment of services for the majority of the users.

Barmah-Millewa forest environmental water allocation

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Stewart ◽  
B. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Murray River ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Developing Area

The formal allocation of water for the environment is a developing area of river management both scientifically and in terms of community participation. This case study, illustrating the recent use of the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation (EWA), provides a practical demonstration of community participation in environmental water management, the application of hydrological and biological “triggers” and a positive, demonstrable biological outcome from an environmental water allocation. The Barmah-Millewa Forest covers an area of 70,000 ha across the floodplain of the Murray River, upstream of the town of Echuca. About half the forest is in NSW (Millewa) and half is in Victoria (Barmah). The Barmah Forest is a Wetland of International Importance listed under the Convention on Wetlands - Ramsar Convention. The forest is the largest river redgum forest in the world. The natural flooding cycle associated with the forest has been significantly altered by regulation of the Murray River - impacting upon the overall health of the forest ecosystem. Recognising this, the Murray Darling Basin Commission developed a water management strategy for the forest to enhance forest, fish and wildlife values. To implement this strategy, between 1990 and 1993 reports were completed and community consultation took place. In 1993 the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council approved allocation of 100 Gigalitres of water per year, provided in equal shares by NSW and Victoria, to meet the needs of the forest ecosystem and in 1994 the Barmah-Millewa Forum was established under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. The vision for the Forum is to maintain and, where possible, improve the ecological and productive sustainability of the Barmah-Millewa Forest and to establish a planning and operational framework to better meet the flooding and drying requirements of the riparian forests and wetlands. Between October 2000 and January 2001 the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation was used for the second time. A total of 341 GL was released as an EWA. This amount represented only 8% of the total flows downstream of Yarrawonga Weir from September 2000 and January 2001. The strategic use of the relatively small amount of water enabled flooding to be maintained and ensured significant breeding success for water birds and other biota in the Forest.

scholarly journals Soil and Irrigation Water Management: Farmer’s Practice, Insight, and Major Constraints in Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Desale Kidane Asmamaw ◽  
Pieter Janssens ◽  
Mekete Dessie ◽  
Seifu A. Tilahun ◽  
Enyew Adgo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Irrigation Scheme ◽  
Irrigation Water Management

This study assessed farmers’ soil and irrigation water management practices, perceptions, and major constraints at Koga, a large-scale irrigation scheme in Ethiopia. Key informant interviews, structured and semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field visits were used for data collection. Soil samples were collected for the assessment of soil properties and a comparison with the respondents’ perception of soil-related constraints. A total of 385 respondents were involved in the questionnaire. All of the respondents had a good perception of soil acidity and its management strategies. Respondents’ perception was in line with the mean soil pH, soil texture, infiltration rate, exchangeable acidity, and soil organic carbon obtained from lab analysis and field tests. Soil acidity, unwise use of water, water scarcity, and lack of market linkages hampered the performance of the Koga irrigation scheme. Yet, respondents had a low awareness of irrigation water management. Farmers never used irrigation scheduling, but apply the same amount of water regardless of the crop type. As a result, low yield and water use efficiency were reported. To reduce soil acidity, an adequate lime supply for farmers with hands-on training on how to apply it would be desirable. Farmers should be aware of how to design effective irrigation scheduling and adopt water-saving management strategies.

scholarly journals Public Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities: A Sustainable Domestic Water Management Strategy in Tanzania

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mesia Lufingo
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Sustainable Water Supply ◽  
Mandatory Service ◽  
Water Supply And Sanitation

Water supply is a mandatory service for Tanzanians from respective legal public water utilities, and their sustainability reflects implementations of best management strategies at a local level. The objective of this study was to assess current approaches used in water quality and quantity management in Tanzania. This was achieved through secondary water data tends, on-site water quality assessments, visits of respective water supply and sanitation authorities, and assessment of their performances. It was observed that water supplied in rural-based authorities was quite different from that supplied in an urban setting as far as quality and quantity is concerned, urban-based supplies being of assistance to users over rural ones. A new strategy on water management is presented for sustainable water supply in Tanzania; it is based on controlling groundwater abstractions and preference of surface water in public water supplies. Rural water supply management must learn several practices realized at urban supplies for the betterment of respective majority water users.

NEW DIRECTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE SETO INLAND SEA

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichiro Iba ◽  
Kenichiro Iba ◽  
Takuya Ishikawa ◽  
Takuya Ishikawa ◽  
Keizo Negi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Tidal Flat ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Seto Inland Sea ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
The Seto Inland Sea ◽  
The Law ◽  
Seaweed Bed

The Seto Inland Sea, the largest enclosed sea in Japan, has unrivalled beauty of archipelago and abundant nature under temperate climate with light rain falls, and the people has been benefitted from the sea ever since the early times. We however experienced sever water pollution problems caused by rapid industrialization and the loss of seaweed bed and tidal flat due to reclamation projects particularly in the period of the high economic growth in 1960s. To resolve these issues, we have carried out water quality improvement programs including reduction of pollutant load based upon the Water Pollution Control Law and the Law concerning Special Measures for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea. As a result, water quality has improved as compared with Tokyo Bay and other enclosed seas. However, there are still severe problems including the occurrence of red tide and oxygen deficient water mass in some areas in the Seto Inland Sea. Securing the bio-diversity, bio-productivity and smooth nutrient circulation are also important. Under these situations, the Law and the Basic Plan for Conservation of the Environment of the Seto Inland Sea were revised in 2015. With these law and plan, it has been made clear that our principal objective is to make the Seto Inland Sea a “Bountiful Sea” through conservation of water quality with bio-diversity and bio-productivity. Also the importance to implement environmental measures corresponding local differences in the respective region and seasonality were indicated. In order to actualize “the Beautiful and Bountiful Seto Inland Sea”, we need to implement environmental water management as follows. 1. Environmental conservation, restoration and creation of coastal areas. 2. Conservation and management of water quality. 3. Conservation of natural and cultural landscapes. 4. Sustainable utilization of fishery resources. Ministry of the Environment, Japan will continue to conduct corresponding programs based on scientific survey and evaluation on conservation/restoration of seaweed bed, tidal flat, smooth circulation of nutrients.

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