Your search found 7 records
1 Atapattu, Sithara S.. 2008. The effect of two common reef organisms on the growth of the common reef coral Acropora formosa. JMBA2 - Biodiversity Records, 5p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 578.7789 G744 ATA Record No: H041650)
Halimeda opuntia and Diplosoma virens are common marine organisms in the Indo-Pacific. Halimeda grows to dense populations, and the ability of didemnids to overgrow coral has been well documented. In the light of their abundance in the Hikkaduwa Nature Park in Sri Lanka, this study investigated the effect of these two associates on the growth and survival of the commonly occurring staghorn coral, Acropora formosa. The results showed that both affected the growth rates of the host coral colonies significantly (P=0.11 at 0.15 error level). The two associates also displayed a strong negative correlation between the spreading rate and the host growth rate (–0.71 for H. opuntia and –0.55 for D. virens). The results show that D. virens could have serious implications on coral survival with a population bloom.
2 Atapattu, Sithara S.; Kodituwakku, Dekshika Charmini. 2009. Agriculture in South Asia and its implications on downstream health and sustainability: a review. Agricultural Water Management, 96(3):361-373.
River basins ; Land degradation ; Erosion ; Farming systems ; Tillage ; Irrigation systems ; Water pollution ; Pesticide residues ; Mangroves ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystems ; Wetlands ; Environmental flows ; Fisheries / South Asia / Bangladesh / Pakistan / India / Nepal / Maldives / Bhutan
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H041676)
(0.48 MB)
Agriculture, a century old practice, has rarely been questioned as it is a necessity for feeding the world’s population. With the increase in food requirement, the sustainability of upland agriculture has posed threats to downstream and coastal areas of river basins. In South Asia, the coastal population depends on the lower part of the river basin for their livelihood such as agriculture and aquaculture. There have been numerous occasions where downstream areas have suffered as a consequence of ad hoc agricultural development activities upstream. Problems encountered in the downstream coastal areas include river desiccation, groundwater depletion, water pollution and sedimentation, salinization and salt water intrusion, soil erosion and nutrient depletion, and dynamic changes in the coastal wetland systems. The objective of this paper is to evaluate current agricultural practices, existing problems, and their implications downstream. This would facilitate the adoption of the river basin approach in managing water resources focusing on the South Asian region.
3 Atapattu, Sithara S.; De Silva, Sanjiv; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2010. Wetlands and agriculture: a case for integrated water resource management in Sri Lanka. In Evans, Alexandra; Jinapala, K. (Eds). Proceedings of the National Conference on Water, Food Security and Climate Change in Sri Lanka, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9-11 June 2009. Vol. 2. Water quality, environment and climate change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.7-21.
Wetlands ; Ecosystems ; Habitats ; Lagoons ; Fisheries ; Water resource management ; Social aspects / Sri Lanka / Kirindi Oya Wetland / Bundala Wetland / Kalametiya Lagoon
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7 G744 EVA Record No: H042855)
Wetlands are habitats with temporary or permanent accumulation of water. The degradation and loss of wetlands is more rapid than that for other ecosystems, and wetland-dependent biodiversity in many parts of the world is in continuing and accelerating decline. They have been confirmed to deliver a wide range of critical and important services vital for human well-being. Therefore, it is clear that sound wetland management is now expected to not only consider conserving the ecological integrity of the ecosystem but also to pay specific attention to the well-being of local people, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation. Wetlands, both fresh and marine, have a multitude of benefits, in addition to environmental benefits, such as for agriculture, flood control, water purification, fisheries and recreation. For the maintenance and sustainability of wetlands the crucial requirement is water – a resource that has multiple demands and competition. The main competitor for the water resource around the world is agriculture for food production, a basic requirement for human survival. Therefore, in a situation of wetlands versus food production, the balance tips towards food production without considering the adverse consequences to the wetlands or adequately appreciating the benefits from achieving a balance. This is where Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) should be adopted to facilitate this process and enable wetland management and agricultural management to fit into the picture along with the other multiple uses of water. Integrated Water Resource Management should be of considerable interest for Sri Lanka, being a country which has agriculture very high on the agenda. The country is also home to a range of wetlands including 103 distinct river basins and 42 lagoons, which support a multitude of functions and services to people. The relationship between agriculture and wetlands in Sri Lanka is complex. The proliferation of village level water storage structures (small tanks) has created an unusually large number of man-made wetland habitats that add significantly to the natural wetlands that are concentrated mainly in the coastal belt. The absence of an integrated approach to water resource development however, continues to erode natural wetland systems. Two major problems, which concern downstream fisheries and livelihoods, are high levels of agricultural pollution, especially through the excessive use of fertilizers, and modifications to the hydrology. The objective of this paper is to review the work of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on wetlands and agriculture in Sri Lanka, to look at the competing water demands between water for wetlands and water required for agriculture, keeping in mind the requirements for nature as well as the sustainability of livelihoods. The paper will address some impacts of agriculture on wetlands, the consequences for livelihoods and the benefits of adopting the IWRM approach, building a case on work carried out in the Kirindi Oya and Bundala wetlands.
4 Molden, David; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Atapattu, Sithara S.; Smith, L. 2009. Unit six - Water use in agriculture: small-scale irrigation and rainwater harvesting. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 35p.
Water harvesting ; Farmer managed irrigation systems ; Communal irrigation systems ; Water use ; Multiple use ; Fisheries ; Livestock ; Gender ; Rainfed farming ; Soil conservation ; Farmer-led irrigation ; Water conservation
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: CD Col. Record No: H043422)
(0.18 MB)
This unit provides an introduction to some of the key elements of the role and importance of water resources in smallholder agriculture. The first section introduces the basic concepts at the farm level by looking at farm productivity and the role of men and women which is essential in understanding the linkages between the livelihoods of the people and poverty alleviation. Section 2 explores water management concepts and issues in smallholder rainfed agriculture, including a range of practices that show promise in best supporting livelihoods and utilising available resources. Rainfed agriculture is critically important, as most rural poor depend solely on rain as their water source and there are many means to upgrade the performance of these systems. Some of these ways require a small amount of irrigation. Section 3 leads into small-scale irrigation. This section summarises and provides the differences between individual versus community based systems including management styles and key considerations in the design and management of these systems. In Section 4, the multiple uses of water, the use of water for household and industrial uses as well as farming, at the farm and household level are presented. Multiple uses of water provide an ideal way of obtaining more benefits per unit of water. Unit aims: To introduce and explain the linkages between small-scale water resource management in agriculture, food security, livelihoods and poverty; To identify the important roles of both men and women in small-scale farming and water management systems; To introduce key concepts of rainfed agriculture in the context of the ‘blue–green water’ continuum and identify the strengths of and constraints to different methods of rainwater water management; To introduce the concept of irrigation in small-scale agriculture and to look at the two main ways of managing it: individual compared to community based management; To introduce the concept of multiple uses for water by rural households and to describe some of the key uses in detail; To provide a basic understanding of multiple uses of water and the approaches available to manage them; To assess the importance of fisheries and livestock production as competitors for water with irrigated crop production.
5 Molden, David; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Atapattu, Sithara S.; Smith, L. 2009. Unit seven - Water use in agriculture: large-scale irrigation. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 51p.
Irrigation management ; Performance evaluation ; Poverty ; Households ; Farmers ; Rural economy ; Water use ; Multiple use ; Environmental impact assessment ; Groundwater ; Surface water ; Conjunctive use
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: CD Col. Record No: H043423)
(1.07 MB)
This unit provides an introduction to large-scale and formal irrigation systems. The first section introduces large-scale irrigation systems and looks at their role in poverty alleviation. The section analyses the positive and negative implications in the context of social, economic and environmental needs. Section 2 describes the types of irrigation systems based on governance and water sources and key implications of various irrigation system types. The following section deals with irrigation management by providing guidance on the management steps, design and assessment tools. It also looks at different options for irrigation financing such as water pricing. Section 4 explores investments in irrigation – types of investments, drivers for investments, priorities and social and environmental considerations. Unit aims: To introduce the linkages between investments in large-scale irrigation and poverty and to discuss possible positive and negative outcomes; To introduce standard irrigation system typologies based on governance and to understand the different types of water resources utilised; To introduce the steps and considerations involved in irrigation management, introduce basic assessment tools and discuss the main issues behind irrigation financing and water pricing; To provide an understanding of the different types of investment, when and where they are applied and how they are prioritised.
6 Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Beveridge, M.; Atapattu, Sithara S.; Smith, L. 2009. Unit eight - Inland fisheries and aquaculture. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 48p.
Fisheries ; Aquaculture ; Rural areas ; Water quality ; Water requirements ; Water governance ; Policy ; Water resource management
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: CD col. Record No: H043424)
(0.28 MB)
This unit provides an introduction to the key characteristics of fisheries and aquaculture and the distinctions between them. It looks at their significance in farming systems and the water requirements involved. It proceeds to discuss the methods and tools available to assess water requirements for fisheries and aquaculture. The final sections of the unit look at the trade-offs for water allocation for fisheries and aquaculture and introduce perspectives on water governance and associated implications for water policies related to fisheries and aquaculture. Unit aims: To define and explain the nature of fisheries and aquaculture and the differences between them in relation to water resource management; To highlight the importance of fisheries and aquaculture to livelihoods; To explain the basis for assessment of fisheries and aquaculture water requirements in terms of quantity and quality; To present existing methods for assessing water needs in fisheries and aquaculture; To present existing methods for assessing water needs in fisheries and aquaculture; To introduce water resource management options for fisheries and aquaculture and related governance and policy implications.
7 Finlayson, M.; Atapattu, Sithara S.. 2009. Unit nine - Water and ecosystems. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 48p.
Water resource management ; Ecosystems ; Aquatic environment ; Ecology ; Natural resources ; Biodiversity ; Wetlands ; Environmental flows
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: CD Col. Record No: H043425)
(1.41 MB)
This unit provides an introduction to the key concepts and issues associated with managing water for ecosystems. ‘Aquatic ecosystems’ is a wide term that includes a range of inland, coastal and marine ecosystems but for the purpose of this module we will concentrate on inland and coastal aquatic ecosystems. Section 1 begins by outlining the natural resources provided by ecosystems and linkages with poverty by identifying the interdependencies and the importance of water. Section 2 details the ecology of aquatic ecosystems and their structure, processes and biodiversity. Section 3 takes a further step and describes the ecosystem services provided by these ecosystems. Section 4 looks at the over-exploitation of the services provided by aquatic ecosystems and how this can lead to ecosystem degradation. The final section concludes the unit by summarising scenarios and management response options. This unit includes an extended listing of recommendations for further reading with brief commentaries on each. These can extend study for the core topics of this unit but also cut across many of the topics covered in earlier units, given the linkages and interdependencies between water for nature and other human uses of water. Students should review the commentaries on these readings but only use this extended listing of reading as a resource to pursue specific interests as far as time allows. Concentration of study on the unit text and recommended Key Readings is sufficient for the examinations. Unit aims: To introduce the concept of natural resources with water being an important resource that supports both the livelihoods of the rural poor and aquatic ecosystems, whilst understanding their inter-linkages and interdependencies; To introduce key concepts of aquatic ecology by describing the variations and structure, the processes, species and genes, and inter-linkages; To introduce the concept of ‘ecosystem services’ in the context of aquatic ecosystems and to describe the role these play in maintaining the resource as well as supporting livelihoods of the rural poor; To provide an understanding of the key drivers of degradation and impacts on aquatic ecosystems and to describe available assessment tools and identify management approaches.
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