scholarly journals An integrated approach for improved management of an island's scarce water resources under climate change and tourism development

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 4695-4727
Author(s):  
T. K. Lissner ◽  
C. A. Sullivan ◽  
D. E. Reusser ◽  
J. P. Kropp

Abstract. Water is an essential input to the majority of human activities. Often, access to sufficient water resources is limited by quality and infrastructure aspects, rather than by resource availability alone, and each activity has different requirements regarding the nature of these aspects. This paper develops an integrated approach to assess the adequacy of water resources for the three major water users, the domestic, agricultural and industrial sectors. Additionally, we include environmental water requirements. We first outline the main determinants of water adequacy for each sector. Subsequently, we present an integrated approach using fuzzy logic, with allows assessing sector-specific as well as overall water adequacy. We implement the approach in two case study settings to exemplify the main features of the approach. Using results from two climate models and two forcing RCPs (Representative Concentration Pathways) as well as population projections, we further assess the impacts of climate change and population growth on the adequacy of water resources. The results provide an important step forward in determining the most relevant factors, impeding adequate access to water, which remains an important challenge in many regions of the world. The methodology allows to directly identify those factors most decisive in determining the adequacy of water in each region, pointing towards the most efficient intervention points to improve conditions. Our findings underline the fact that in addition to water volumes, water quality is a limitation for all sectors and especially for the environmental sector, high levels of pollution are a threat to water adequacy.


Author(s):  
McCaffrey Stephen C

This chapter provides descriptions of past or present controversies between states concerning non-navigational uses of international watercourses. Some of the controversies considered have been settled while others are ongoing and show no signs of an imminent resolution. Eight of the eighteen drainage basins examined are now governed by treaties dealing with the problem that gave rise to the dispute in question. In all of the cases reviewed, the disputes were matters of high national interest, engaging the attention of government officials, diplomats, and scholars alike. Indeed, several of the controversies were brought before the United Nations, usually with good effect. Ultimately, some of the basins will probably receive increasing international attention as expanding populations, climate change, and upstream development efforts combine to place further demands on already scarce water resources.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 514-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Alabdulkader ◽  
Ahmed I. Al-Amoud ◽  
Fawzi S. Awad

This research paper highlights the adverse effects of climate change on the agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia and the actions taken to adapt to these adverse effects. Special focus was given to the potential to optimise the reallocation of scarce water resources among the competitive advantage date palm cropping regions in Saudi Arabia using a mathematical sector modelling approach. The results showed great potential for Saudi Arabia to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change by optimising the date palm cropping pattern in accordance with its scarce water resources and limited cultivated lands. The optimised scenario would result in a high net annual return, equivalent to about 881.76 million US$ year−1, and an increase on the water use return from about 0.97 US$ cm−1 in the base year to approximately 1.31 US$ cm−1. The optimised scenario would also provide the opportunity to reduce the allocated date palm cropping area by approximately 4% (from approximately 118,250 hectares to approximately 113,446 hectares) and to reduce the water demand by approximately 1% (from 681.06 million cubic metres (MCM) per year to approximately 674.28 MCM per year).


Author(s):  
C. I. Bovolo ◽  
S. Blenkinsop ◽  
B. Majone ◽  
M. Zambrano-Bigiarini ◽  
H. J. Fowler ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sejabaledi Agnes Rankoana

Purpose The study explored the impacts of climate change on water resources, and the community-based adaptation practices adopted to ensure water security in a rural community in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The participatory approach was used to allow community members to share their challenges of water scarcity, and the measures they have developed to cope with inconsistent water supply. Findings The study results show that the community obtains water for household consumption from the reticulation system supplied by Mutale River and the community borehole. These resources are negatively impacted by drought, change in the frequency and distribution of rainfall, and increased temperature patterns. The water levels in the river and borehole have declined, resulting in unsustainable water supply. The community-based adaptation practices facilitated by the water committee include observance of restrictions and regulations on the water resources use. Others involve securing water from neighbouring resources. Originality/value This type of community-based action in response to climate change could be used as part of rural water management strategies under climate change.


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