Your search found 9 records
1 Baker, Tracy; Cullen, B.; Debevec, Liza; Abebe, Yenenesh. 2015. A socio-hydrological approach for incorporating gender into biophysical models and implications for water resources research. Applied Geography, 62:325-338. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2015.05.008]
Hydrological cycle ; Gender ; Women ; Men ; Ecosystem services ; Participatory approaches ; Biophysics ; Water resources ; Research ; Landscape ; Land use ; Social aspects ; Economic analysis ; Soil water ; Assessment ; Models ; Case studies / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047073)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0143622815001289/pdfft?md5=803615d66f37f639dd1dc3b0d7a52fbc&pid=1-s2.0-S0143622815001289-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047073.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047073.pdf
(2.33 MB) (2.33 MB)
Men and women interact with water resources and landscapes in different ways, and there are frequent criticisms that little research is undertaken across disciplines to address this issue. Biophysical scientists in particular struggle with how to integrate “gendered” water uses into models that are necessarily based on prevailing laws and equations that describe the movement of water through the hydrological cycle, independent of social constructs. We explore the challenges faced in developing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approaches and then present a simple yet innovative socio-hydrological approach using participatory three-dimensional maps. As a case study, we describe undertaking this process in Ethiopia where two three-dimensional maps (men's and women's) were separately generated to represent the same 20 km2 landscape. Mapping results indicated important distinctions in how men and women view landscapes with regard to the number and types of ecosystem services identified. For example, only women identified holy water sites along streams, while men identified twice as many sacred trees on the landscape. There was a clear focus and detailed knowledge about soils among participants in both groups. Maps developed as part of this exercise were successfully used as the principal land use input for the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and results indicate that this is a valid strategy that enhances scientific knowledge and understanding of overall landscapes and ultimately adds value to research for development questions.
2 Grum, B; Hessel, R.; Kessler, A.; Woldearegay, K.; Yazew, E.; Ritsema, C.; Geissen, V. 2016. A decision support approach for the selection and implementation of water harvesting techniques in arid and semi-arid regions. Agricultural Water Management, 173:35-47. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.04.018]
Water harvesting ; Techniques ; Indicators ; Decision support systems ; Arid zones ; Semiarid zones ; Watersheds ; Socioeconomic environment ; Ecological factors ; Biophysics ; Cultivated land ; Soils ; Rain ; GIS ; Mapping ; Stakeholders ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Upper Geba Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047605)
(3.70 MB)
Water harvesting techniques (WHTs) improve the availability of water, which is essential for growing crops, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. A decision support approach can help in the selection of WHTs suitable under site-specific bio-physical and socio-economic conditions. This paper describes a participatory approach for the selection of suitable WHTs in watersheds in (semi) arid regions. It builds on a database of suitability indicators for WHTs, which was developed by integrating worldwide knowledge on their suitability. Once developed, the approach was applied on a case study for WHTs in the upper Geba watershed in northern Ethiopia. First, based on evaluation criteria and participants’ scientific and local knowledge, a pre-selection of most promising WHTs took place in a multi-stakeholder workshop. Next, the suitability indicators and a GIS-based multi-criteria analysis (MCA) were used to identify suitable areas for these WHTs. The results of the MCA were presented to stakeholders during a second stakeholder workshop. At this workshop, a final selection of WHTs to test was made based on a participatory ranking of WHTs using economic, ecological and socio-cultural criteria. The MCA approach was validated by comparing the predicted suitable areas with the already existing WHTs in the watershed. This led to the result that 90% of the existing check dams and 93% of the percolation ponds were correctly identified by the approach. We conclude therefore that this approach can be successfully applied for the participatory selection of WHTs and the identification of suitable areas for their implementation. Given that this approach is based on the newly developed database of WHTs, it can be easily applied in other (semi) arid regions.
3 Pal, P. K.; Ganguly, B.; Roy, D.; Guha, A.; Hanglem, A.; Mondal, S. 2017. Social and biophysical impacts of watershed development programmes: experiences from a micro-watershed area in India. Water Policy, 19(4):773-785. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2017.189]
Watershed management ; Integrated management ; Development programmes ; Socioeconomic environment ; Biophysics ; Microirrigation ; Drainage ; Water conservation ; Technological changes ; Crop production ; Cropping patterns ; Agricultural productivity ; Dry farming ; Land use ; Farm area / India / West Bengal / Cooch Behar / Rangamati Micro-Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048228)
(0.37 MB)
Rainwater conservation and soil erosion prevention are vital for the economic and financial sustainability of dry land agriculture. An integrated watershed development programme is thus a means of achieving these goals. Presently, integrated watershed management is receiving worldwide recognition as an effective model for watershed planning. A watershed is considered the basic geographical unit for developing any plan by integrating various social, economic, and policy factors with modern science. Hence, it is an approach to develop the basic resources for sustainable life support. The present study was conducted to assess the impacts of the watershed development programme on the social and biophysical aspects in a micro-watershed area of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India. This study confirmed that the project had positive effects that strengthened the socio-personal and economic characteristics of the farmers and improved the biophysical environment of the farms. The soil and water conservation efforts have increased the total cultivable area as well as improved the irrigation and drainage facilities in the micro-watershed units, thereby increasing the acreage and productivity of crops.
4 Mehra, M.; Singh, C. K.; Abrol, I. P.; Oinam, B. 2017. A GIS-based methodological framework to characterize the Resource Management Domain (RMD): a case study of Mewat district, Haryana, India. Land Use Policy, 60:90-100. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.018]
Resource management ; Groundwater ; Irrigation water ; Water quality ; GIS ; Socioeconomic environment ; Mapping ; Biophysics ; Soil fertility ; Erosion ; Crop management ; Land ownership ; Population density ; Multivariate analysis ; Models ; Case studies / India / Haryana / Mewat
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048305)
(3.78 MB)
Resource Management Domains (RMD) represent a way to characterize land units, based on biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics. This concept has been applied to delineate and characterize sustainable land units for agricultural use in the Mewat District of Haryana, India. A GIS-based framework was conceptualized to characterize RMD and appropriate biophysical and socioeconomic parameters were identified based on local conditions and expert opinion. The biophysical characteristics of the region were represented by soil (soil erosion and fertility) and groundwater (groundwater quality, potential and vulnerability) parameters. Population density, landholding, cropping pattern, irrigation source, fertilizer type, sprinkler density, tubewell type and tractor density were considered for socioeconomic characterization. Each of these parameters was modelled and mapped using well established methods The biophysical and socioeconomic parameters were integrated using a multivariate clustering method. The integration modelling results in the delineation of the region into seven RMDs, which were validated with two focus group discussions (FGD) in each of the RMD’s. The correlation between the RMD modelling results and the FGD was found to be more than 90% in five RMDs and 65% and 39% in the remaining two RMDs respectively. The result was also validated with feedback from the local administrative authorities. The study charts a sound basis for policy makers for taking the necessary steps to address location-specific differential agricultural needs in any region.
5 Lele, S.; Madhyastha, K.; Sulagna, S.; Dhavamani, R.; Srinivasan, V. 2018. Match, don’t mix: implications of institutional and technical service modalities for water governance outcomes in South Indian small towns. Water Policy, 20(S1):12-35. (Special issue: Water Services in Small Towns - Experiences from the Global South). [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2018.002]
Water resources ; Water governance ; Urban areas ; Towns ; Water supply ; Water delivery ; Groundwater ; Corporate culture ; Technology ; Financing ; Biophysics ; Sustainability ; Equity / South India / Karnataka / Tamil Nadu / Nelamangala / Ramanagara / Kannampalayam / Palladam
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048727)
(0.41 MB)
This paper seeks to contribute to the limited literature on water governance in small towns in India. For assessing water governance, we propose a broad framework encompassing adequacy and affordability, equity, sustainability and responsiveness. Analytically, the concept of ‘service modality’ is expanded to include not only institutional arrangements but also water resource deployment, and placed within a framework that includes multiple contextual variables as well. We use this framework to carry out an inductive analysis by comparing water service delivery and governance in four small towns across two states (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) in southern India. Apart from differences in size, the towns differ in the institutional arrangements – from fully municipal management to a combination to complete para-statal management – and in the deployment of water resources – only ground water to a mixed supply of ground and surface water (dual sourcing). Data were gathered using a combination of household surveys, metering, records, and interviews. Dual sourcing resulted in adequate supply and optimization vis-à-vis end uses. Inter-household inequity is driven by socio-economic differences amongst households, but can be mitigated to an extent by increasing public tap density. But water resource use is not physically or financially sustainable. The responsiveness to citizen needs was significantly higher when the distribution was done by the local governments. Separation of roles, with para-statals providing bulk supply of surface water, and local governments managing the distribution of this and groundwater, may be an optimal service modality.
6 Reddy, V. R.; Sreedevi, P. D.; Syme, G. J.; Pavelic, Paul; Tallapragada, C.; Rao, K. V.; Merritt, W. S. 2019. Learning instruments. in Reddy, V. R.; Syme, G. J.; Tallapragada, C. Integrated approaches to sustainable watershed management in xeric environments: a training manual. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.81-197. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815275-1.00009-7]
Training materials ; Assessment ; Questionnaires ; Watershed management ; Hydrogeology ; Biophysics ; Households ; Socioeconomic environment ; Resilience ; Villages / India
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049470)
(21.10 MB)
7 Dorninger, C.; Hornborg, A.; Abson, D. J.; von Wehrden, H.; Schaffartzik, A.; Giljum, S.; Engler, J.-O.; Feller, R. L.; Hubacek, K.; Wieland, H. 2021. Global patterns of ecologically unequal exchange: implications for sustainability in the 21st century. Ecological Economics, 179:106824. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106824]
International trade ; Sustainability ; Economic growth ; Input output analysis ; Monetary situation ; Value added ; Income ; Infrastructure ; Energy ; Land use ; Labour ; Materials ; Ecology ; Biophysics ; Models
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050078)
(8.99 MB)
Ecologically unequal exchange theory posits asymmetric net flows of biophysical resources from poorer to richer countries. To date, empirical evidence to support this theoretical notion as a systemic aspect of the global economy is largely lacking. Through environmentally-extended multi-regional input-output modelling, we provide empirical evidence for ecologically unequal exchange as a persistent feature of the global economy from 1990 to 2015. We identify the regions of origin and final consumption for four resource groups: materials, energy, land, and labor. By comparing the monetary exchange value of resources embodied in trade, we find significant international disparities in how resource provision is compensated. Value added per ton of raw material embodied in exports is 11 times higher in high-income countries than in those with the lowest income, and 28 times higher per unit of embodied labor. With the exception of embodied land for China and India, all other world regions serve as net exporters of all types of embodied resources to high-income countries across the 1990–2015 time period. On aggregate, ecologically unequal exchange allows high-income countries to simultaneously appropriate resources and to generate a monetary surplus through international trade. This has far-reaching implications for global sustainability and for the economic growth prospects of nations.
8 Biswas, J. K.; Mondal, B.; Priyadarshini, P.; Abhilash, P. C.; Biswas, S.; Bhatnagar, A. 2022. Formulation of water sustainability index for India as a performance gauge for realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. Ambio, 51(6):1569-1587. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-021-01680-1]
Sustainable Development Goals ; Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation ; Indicators ; Public health ; Social change ; Biophysics ; Policies ; Sustainability ; Water resources ; Wastewater treatment ; Water scarcity ; Water stress ; Drinking water ; Freshwater ; Municipal wastewater / India
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051075)
(1.09 MB)
Anthropogenic activities targeting economic progress have triggered changes in the Earth system processes causing depletion of resources and degradation of ecosystems. Water is a critical natural resource which has been severely impacted through groundwater depletion, surface water contamination and ocean acidification resulting in repercussions on human health and biodiversity losses. Likewise, India, a mega biodiversity nation has been critically affected by degradation and drawdown of water resources with far-reaching consequences on environmental vitality and socio-economic development. In order to prevent extreme water scarcity in the near future, the country needs to promote sustainable utilisation of water resources by adhering to the targets of Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). The present work, therefore, has focussed on the development of a Water Sustainability Index (WSI) for India that would help attaining the targets of SDG 6. A total of 12 indicators categorized under biophysical and social development dimensions and synonymous with the targets of SDG 6 have been used for the formulation of WSI and thereby understanding how much water resources are used annually in a sustainable manner. The study also highlights the interrelationship between the diverse social development and health indicators (SDG 3) of Indian community. The research has the potential to provide guidance for efficient use of water resources in India. Acting as a yardstick and guiding star, the sustainability metric will help the nation to monitor whether it is on the right track and navigate its journey towards achieving water sustainability. It also calls for cautious course correction and restructuring of current Indian policy and operational instruments for effective green governance and sustainable water management.
9 Sawadogo, A.; Dossou-Yovo, E. R.; Kouadio, L.; Zwart, Sander J.; Traore, F.; Gundogdu, K. S. 2023. Assessing the biophysical factors affecting irrigation performance in rice cultivation using remote sensing derived information. Agricultural Water Management, 278:108124. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.108124]
Irrigation schemes ; Performance ; Irrigated rice ; Biophysics ; Remote sensing ; Crops ; Water productivity ; Soil physical properties ; Chemical properties ; Sustainable agriculture ; Energy balance ; Evapotranspiration ; Satellite imagery ; Modelling ; Machine learning / Africa South of Sahara / Burkina Faso / Kou Valley Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052098)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378377422006710/pdfft?md5=29cdb70d642d66a000cdb8ba5d31ed7d&pid=1-s2.0-S0378377422006710-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052098.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052098.pdf
(6.64 MB) (6.64 MB)
Identifying the biophysical factors that affect the performance of irrigated crops in semi-arid conditions is pivotal to the success of profitable and sustainable agriculture under variable climate conditions. In this study, soil physical and chemical variables and plots characteristics were used through linear mixed and random forestbased modeling to evaluate the determinants of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) and crop water productivity (CWP) in rice in the Kou Valley irrigated scheme in Burkina Faso. Multi-temporal Landsat images were used within the Python module for the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land model to calculate rice ETa and CWP during the dry seasons of 2013 and 2014. Results showed noticeable spatial variations in PySEBAL-derived ETa and CWP in farmers’ fields during the study period. The distance between plot and irrigation scheme inlet (DPSI), plot elevation, sand and silt contents, soil total nitrogen, soil extractable potassium and zinc were the main factors affecting variabilities in ETa and CWP in the farmers’ fields, with DPSI being the top explanatory variable. There was generally a positive association, up to a given threshold, between ETa and DPSI, sand and silt contents and soil extractable zinc. For CWP the association patterns for the top six predictors were all non-monotonic; that is a mix of increasing and decreasing associations of a given predictor to either an increase or a decrease in CWP. Our results indicate that improving irrigated rice performance in the Kou Valley irrigation scheme would require growing more rice at lower altitudes (e.g. < 300 m above sea level) and closer to the scheme inlet, in conjunction with a good management of nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium through fertilization.
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