Socio‐economic and institutional assessment of Malaysia's first biosphere reserve: Chini Lake

Despite being designated the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia, the Chini Lake Basin experiences continuing management challenges attributable to existing sectoral management practices and differences in demands of multiple stakeholders. Accordingly, a socio‐economic survey and stakeholder consultative process were undertaken, involving relevant stakeholders in the lake basin. The consultative process involved: (a) identification and prioritization of relevant stakeholders; (b) assessment of their socio‐economic activities and perceptions; (c) organization of focus group discussions between basin stakeholders; and (d) development of management recommendations in collaboration with stakeholders. The results of this study indicated the local community's way of living has changed from traditional occupations to a wage economy. Overlapping functions and lack of communication were among the major identified challenges facing by Chini Lake. Multiple strategies were proposed to promote environmental protection and good governance of Chini Lake, including formation of special area plans and strengthening institutional arrangements to sustainably manage the Chini Lake catchment. An effective authority also is necessary to improve communication and coordination of programmes by the various basin agencies and communities.     

Determination of the status of stakeholder participation in the management of the Lake Malawi basin through application of Integrated Lake Basin Management

Lake Malawi is the southernmost of the Great Rift Valley Lakes of Africa and boasts the world's greatest freshwater fish biodiversity. Along with its basin, the lake provides many benefits to the country of Malawi. Settlements, agriculture and fishing are some of the major uses of the lake basin, making community involvement a necessary component of its management. With the use of key informant interviews, questionnaire survey, document review and site observations, this study demonstrates the applicability of the Integrated Lake Basin Management framework in the Lake Malawi Basin in regard to stakeholder participation. The main objective was to assess the participation of stakeholders, especially local communities, in the management of the lake basin. The framework applied in this study is discussed. The study findings indicate strong to very strong stakeholder participation, with notably high levels of awareness and women's involvement. Enhancing the understanding of the complex nature of lake basin issues, especially those related to the linkages between the water body and the basin, is a topic requiring further attention.     

淀山湖富营养化防治与生态修复技术研究

淀山湖是上海市最大的天然淡水湖泊,也是黄浦江上游的重要水源保护地．其水质、水量状况对上海市饮用水水源安全具有重要作用。近年,淀山湖水体质量不断下降,尤其是2007年,淀山湖各区域出现了不同程度的蓝藻暴发。基于此背景,在对淀山湖进行前期调查的基础上,提出建设试验工程．通过试验工程的实施形成一套可供修复淀山湖富营养化防治的技术体系,为大规模实施相关工程提供科学依据和技术支持。     

Bathymetric study of Lake Hayq,Ethiopia

The generation of scientific information for improved understating of the physical dynamics of a lake is fundamental for guiding lake stakeholders and managers at the local level to implement best management practices and help design effective management strategies and policies at higher levels. Multitemporal bathymetric information on lakes is very important in hydrology and sediment studies to more clearly indicate environmental changes and to understand the effects of land processes on the hydrology of lakes. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to map bathymetric charts of Lake Hayq ¹ in Ethiopia and to derive morphometric parameters, including depth, volume, area, width and length, and to plot curves illustrating the relationships between these parameters. The bathymetric survey was carried out using a combination of a SonarLite Portable Echo Sounder and Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate three‐dimensional (XYZ) hydrographic data. Surfer 8.01 and ArcGIS 9.3 software program were used for surface, gridding and morphometric analyses. Comparison of the results of this study with a previous study conducted in 1941 indicated the lake has experienced changes in depth and surface area. To reduce the negative impacts of human‐induced activities on the ecohydrology of the lake, and to maintain its ecological integrity, appropriate and integrated lake management practices must be adopted. This will necessitate policy formulation, active lake basin stakeholder involvement and implementation of basin‐wide lake management to ensure sustainable use of the lake and its basin resources.     

新疆艾比湖水矿化度变化过程及原因分析

新疆艾比湖是典型的干旱区湖泊,具有特殊的湿地干旱生态系统。从分析湖泊水量变化入手,分析湖水矿化度,对比湖区不同类型土壤的理化性状及植物群落特征,讨论湖区生态系统内部水、土、生物过程变化规律及其关联性,指出要遏制当地生态的恶化,必须采取积极的生态环境保护和建设措施。     

Towards integrated catchment management: opening the paradigm locks between hydrology,ecology and policy‐making

A recently launched international initiative on “Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy” (HELP) aims at a science‐based approach to integrated catchment management, and in particular to facilitating the dialogue needed between scientists, stakeholders and policy makers. The ultimate challenge of a sustainability‐oriented environmental management is to find the proper balance between humans and the impacts that their activities cause to ecosystems. This makes the catchment a useful landscape unit for an integrated approach where a balancing between humans and nature can be carried out. The catchment can be seen as containing two mosaics, one of human water‐related activities and the other of water‐dependent ecosystems, terrestrial as well as aquatic. These two mosaics are internally linked by water flows but partly incompatible. Therefore, a management task is to orchestrate the catchment for compatibility, which will demand intentional trade‐offs. Past water management policy has often been based on outdated knowledge and technology, for instance by a ‘paradigm lock’ between scientists and stakeholders, isolating them from each other: scientists by the lack of proven utility of their findings, and stakeholders by legal and professional precedence and disaggregated institutions. The HELP initiative encourages the water policy, water resources management and scientific communities to work together within a field‐oriented context so that science may be closely integrated with policy and management needs.     

Environmental state of Lake Kariba and Zambezi River Valley: Lessons learned and not learned

Lake Kariba, still the largest reservoir in the world by volume, is 60 years old. It has undergone changes in its thermal properties, associated with global warming, which reflect in turn on its limnology. These changes include a shallower eipilimnion, higher heat content and increased tropicality to near equatorial status. The role of Lake Kariba with regard to its energy characteristics is discussed in light of global warming findings. The lake’s water residence time has increased from 3.7 years to ≈5.7 years, attributable to a reduced inflow from the Zambezi River. The phytoplankton communities have changed towards a cyanophyceae‐dominated community, leading to a decline in entomostracan zooplankton, and a near collapse of the planktivorous Limnothrissa miodon fishery. Prolonged use of pesticides to control Glossina has led to measurable ecosystem level impacts on both terrestrial and aquatic biota. The impacts of the forced relocation of the Tonga people were still evident during this study. Siltation from resettlement areas has led to the loss of habitat and biodiversity in the inflowing streams to the lake. Unplanned shoreline development in the early history of the lake poses health problems. It is projected that global warming will cause the lake temperature to rise by ≈4 °C by the end of the century. Higher temperatures will be accompanied by windier conditions, thereby enhancing the risks from storms on the lake. The appropriateness of administrative structures intended to manage the Zambezi River Basin environment also is discussed herein. It is concluded that the management protocol is institutionally a non‐inclusive process lacking the capacity to involve other stakeholders in managing the lake’s resources, and even less so in the integrated management of the basin.     

Impacts and Implications of Major Changes Caused by the Three Gorges Dam in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, China

The impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) has disturbed the hydrological regime downstream and has directly affected the relationship between the Yangtze River and Dongting Lake. To trace the realistic and potential impacts, this paper examined the changes of the channel morphology and sedimentology caused by the TGD through a field survey on the channel cross-sections and then analyzed the impact on lake water level through BP neural networks. The possible impacts on inundation patterns in lake wetlands were studied based on the lake basin DEM. The results indicate that drastic sediment decline and severe channel erosion are putting considerable pressure on the river and lake. Changing river channels are evident in some monitoring cross-sections. Dongting Lake, for the first time, changed from trapping to supplying net sediment to the Yangtze River. During the water storage periods of the TGD, the water level decreased 2.03?m in 2006 and 2.11?m in 2009 at the outlet of the lake, with extreme decreases up to 3.30?m and 3.02?m, respectively. These changes have inevitably induced alterations in the inundation patterns of the lake wetlands, which in turn have disturbed the ecological function of lake wetlands as habitats for both migratory birds and aquatic fish. The serious droughts in Dongting Lake recent years were largely connected with the above changes. Therefore, proper attention should be paid to this occurrence.     

鄱阳湖低水位对环湖区农业灌溉的影响分析

近年来,鄱阳湖水系受入湖径流量减少、三峡水库蓄水以及人类活动等多种因素影响,出现了枯水时间提前、水位偏低、持续时间延长等现象,对湖区农业灌溉产生了较大影响。为分析鄱阳湖水位降低对农业灌溉的影响,分别根据历史水文资料和农业灌溉资料,分析了三峡水库蓄水前后鄱阳湖代表站的水位变化情况和农业用水情况,尤其是9~10月份灌溉用水高峰期的水位变化情况和用水情况。分析结果表明,环湖区取水口2003~2012年9~10月水位与1953~2002年同期水位相比,降低明显,导致工程运行费增大、取水量减少甚至无水可取,给湖区农业造成严重影响。为切实解决鄱阳湖低枯水位引起的问题,应加快推进鄱阳湖水利枢纽工程建设,采取“调枯不调洪”的运行方式,保持枯水期水位相对稳定。     

基于问卷调查的鄱阳湖生态系统服务功能公众满意度分析

通过发放问卷,采用层次分析法(AHP),调查分析鄱阳湖生态系统服务功能公众满意度.结果表明,鄱阳湖生态系统服务功能公众满意度处于一般水平,比例为51.8%,其中不满意主要表现在对鄱阳湖采砂量、防洪能力、水质、江豚和白鹤数量、湿地面积以及生物栖息地功能的感知,因此,控制湖区采砂量,打击非法采砂、提高鄱阳湖防洪能力、改善湖区水质、加强鄱阳湖珍稀物种和栖息地保护、退耕还湖等对提高鄱阳湖生态系统服务功能意义重大.     

Contribution to decision‐making on establishing the maximum water level for Lake Vegoritida

The water level in Lake Vegoritida, Greece, has undergone great changes over the past decades attributable to severe water abstraction directly from the lake and its catchment, which affected not only the conditions of the natural environment, but also social and economic conditions. The water level of the lake is currently rising, with discussion of an agreeable decision about the desired maximum lake water level becoming a source of conflict among the lake stakeholders. The present study provides a framework for a participatory management plan, with the perspective of engaging all levels of lake stakeholders in the process of deciding and establishing the maximum lake water level. Kolb's learning cycle is used as a methodological vehicle in the proposed process of participatory decision‐making. Its contribution to decision‐making includes (a) identification of lake stakeholders and the issues arising from a potential establishment of a maximum lake water level; and (b) three suggested water level scenarios to facilitate a future constructive discussion directed to establishing a maximum water level in Lake Vegoritida.     

浚湖筑岛 保护太湖

构成湖泊生命的容积、水量、水质三要素,在太湖都受到了不同程度的损害。指出保护太湖需从增加水量,治理污染和拓浚湖容三方面入手,着重对浚湖问题进行论证并提出设想。浚湖可以获得防洪、供水、环境效益。     

An overview of the current status of Lake Victoria fishery: Opportunities, challenges and management strategies

Lake Victoria is African's most important source of inland fishery production, exhibiting an annual catch of ≈500 000 mt. The lake moderates local climate, serves as a means of transport, and a source of human food and raw material for the fishmeal industry. The introduction of Nile perch transformed the fisheries from a locally based artisanal fishery to a national and international capital investment industry. The fisheries produce an annual income of $US 600 million, providing employment opportunities for over 3 million people. Although the benefits of transforming the fishery of Lake Victoria appear to be quite remarkable, the negative impacts of this development are even more dramatic. Several challenges face the lake fishery, including environmental degradation, the introduction of exotic species, overfishing, and a fish export ban. Nutrients inputs into the lake have resulted in eutrophication and increased algal blooms. Deteriorated water quality and increased anoxia have caused the displacement and decline of some fish species. Exotic tilapiines have hybridized, displacing the indigenous fish species. Nile perch predation has caused the disappearance of once abundant native fish species. The once complex food web is now dominated by Nile perch. Unhygienic fishing methods have led to several fish export bans, while water hyacinth invasion in the lake has affected water quality, fishing and transportation possibilities. The current top‐down management and use of different regulations by the riparian states have been a major drawback to sustainable management of the lake. There is a need for a paradigm shift, in which the lake is considered to be one ecosystem and relevant stakeholders are involved in the decision‐making process.     

Modeling the effects of human influences on water quality and quantity in the Zarrineh River Basin,Iran

This study aims to analyze the environmental and economic impacts of land use change and water abstraction in the Zarrineh River basin, which is Lake Urmia’s main inflow source in the north-west of Iran. The Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used to model water quantity and quality in the basin. Environmental Kuznets Curves (EKC) are used to assess the relationship between environmental degradation and the development of the agricultural sector. Two scenarios were employed to identify the effects of dam construction and land use change on stream flow, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge and nitrate loads in the area. The SWAT model showed a satisfactory to very good performance for monthly stream flow at most of the gauges in calibration and validation periods as well as a reasonable performance for nitrate loads. The estimated EKC indicates that the environmental degradation in the inverted U-shape that has passed its peak and the rate of degradation has decreased. Based on the scenarios, the dam has a strong impact on nitrate loads in the basin and water inflow into Lake Urmia. Results verify that human influences have had negative impacts on the Zarrineh River basin. In particular, the extensive development of the agricultural sector has not only drastically reduced the inflow of water to Lake Urmia accelerating the drying up of the lake, but it has also increased nitrate loads. Therefore, it can be recommended to take counter measures within the catchment area to improve the ecological status of Lake Urmia.     

Tonle Sap Lake,Cambodia: A perspective on its transborder hydrological and resources governance

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, being situated at the heart of the Mekong River Basin. Governance of the lake over the recent past has been weak and overly complex, and the basin governance structure has changed over time in terms of its fisheries management framework. The governance framework initially focused on the commercial exploitation of fish resources, but has more recently switched to a community‐based fisheries management, biodiversity conservation and open access model. This study discusses how the water flows occurring between the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake complicate the governance of the lake, and particularly its fisheries, biodiversity, land and water management activities. The establishment of the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA) in 2007 sought to address the governance challenges facing the lake. The current study concludes, however, that the TSA alone is not sufficient and that global, regional and national stakeholders must make an effort to ensure the water flows between the lake and the Mekong River are themselves considered a core governance issue for the Tonle Sap.     

跨流域调水对恢复白洋淀生态环境重要性分析

近几十年来,由于气候变化和和人类活动的影响,白洋淀入淀水量逐年减少,造成多次干淀现象。水利部和河北省先后组织多次本流域调水和外流域调水,以缓解白洋淀供水不足的问题。通过对白洋淀供水水源与耗水量分析,为保护和恢复白洋淀生态环境,跨流域调水是一项重要措施。南水北调中线工程总干渠通水后,将能实现引江水补淀,从根本上解决白洋淀生态环境危机。     

白洋淀水环境质量评价

由于流域人类活动和气候干旱化的影响,白洋淀水体污染与富营养化日趋严重。通过对白洋淀湖水化学成分的分析,并运用与湖泊富营养化关系最为密切的Chla、TN、TP、CODMn和SD作为评价参数,采用综合营养指数法确定湖水营养类型。湖水水质监测数据分析表明,白洋淀为重碳酸类钠组Ⅱ型水的偏碱性湖泊,综合营养指数法确定湖水为中-富营养级湖泊水体。主成分分析法结果显示,湖泊污染的主要因子是TP。借助硅藻及其组合分析了湖泊富营养化状况,发现白洋淀硅藻属种以耐营养种梅尼小环藻Cyclotellameneghiniana(20.43%)和Cyclostephanos tholiformis(25.40%)为组合特征,表明湖泊水体已处于富营养化状态,水环境状况堪忧。     

Innovative sewerage solutions for small rural towns.

The development and implementation of alternative wastewater servicing approaches in rural communities in Australia appears more feasible than in larger urban developments as many rural centres rely on septic tanks and surface discharge of greywater. This method of disposal creates many environmental, social and economic issues and is seen to limit potential for growth in many towns. This paper describes a generic methodology for the selection of innovative sewerage options for six regional towns in Victoria, Australia. The method includes consultation with stakeholders, multi-criteria assessment and concept design of the most favourable option. Despite the broad range of initial wastewater servicing options presented which included cluster-scale systems, upgrade of existing systems, greywater reuse and alternative collection, the outcome for five of the six towns was a modified centralised collection system as the preferred option. Lack of robust and reliable data on the human health risks and environmental impacts of alternative systems were identified as the primary data gaps in the sustainability assessment. In addition, biases in the assessment method due to stakeholder perceptions were found to be an additional issue.     

Investigation Anthropogenic Impacts and Climate Factors on Drying up of Urmia Lake using Water Budget and Drought Analysis

The water level of Urmia Lake, the largest inland lake in Iran with maximum water surface area of about 6000 km², has been shrinking for the last two decades. Although a number of study have been performed to determine drought condition and coastline changes of Urmia Lake, there has not been a detailed study to distinguish anthropogenic effects from climate impacts on the drying of Urmia Lake. In this study, water budget of Urmia Lake and the intensity of drought in the basin were analyzed in the period from 1985 to 2010 and a new hypothesis is proposed to quantify anthropogenic and climate impacts in reducing the volume of Urmia Lake. The results of this study indicate that human impacts on the Lake and its basin are more important than climate factors. Though previous studies assumed that ground water output from Urmia Lake is negligible, the results of this study show the presence of significant groundwater seepage from Urmia Lake. Major changes in the variables that reduced the water level of Urmia Lake were observed since 1998. Anthropogenic impacts and climate factors have roughly 80% and 20% effects on the drying up of Urmia Lake, respectively. Hence, the first step to recover Urmia Lake could be the revision of management surface water, operation of dams and groundwater resources. The second step could be the review and classification of agricultural products grown in the region in terms of water consumption and teach local people the best practice methods for irrigation.     

云南阳宗海最小生态需水量分析

近年来,由于人类活动的影响加剧以及全球气候的变化,湖泊普遍出现了萎缩、水位下降、水量锐减、湖水盐化、水质污染、富营养化,甚至干涸消亡等情况。确保湖泊生态系统必需的最小水量是解决可能出现的湖泊严重水资源和生态系统危机的措施之一。以云南省阳宗海为例,从生态水文学原理出发,对湖泊最小生态需水量的概念进行了探讨,初步分析了阳宗海P=50%(理想保证率)、P=75%(适宜保证率)、P=95%(最小保证率)的最小生态需水量。最小生态需水量的确定,将为水资源管理部门提供综合性、可操作性的决策依据,为已退化的生态系统的恢复与重建提供技术支撑。