Your search found 7 records
1 O’Brien, G. C.; Dickens, Chris; Hines, E.; Wepener, V.; Stassen, R.; Landis, W. G. 2018. A regional scale ecological risk framework for environmental flow evaluations. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 22(2):957-975. [doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2017-37, 2017]
Environmental flows ; Environmental impact assessment ; Environmental sustainability ; Environmental management ; Risk assessment ; Ecological factors ; Water resources ; Water management ; Best practices ; Decision making ; Catchment areas ; Stakeholders ; Mapping ; Uncertainty ; Case studies / South Africa / Lesotho / Kenya / Tanzania / Senqu River Catchment / Mara River Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048063)
http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/hess-2017-37/hess-2017-37.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048063.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048063.pdf
(1.81 MB)
Recent developments in Environmental Flow (E-flow) frameworks advocate holistic, regional scale, probabilistic E-flow assessments that consider flow and non-flow drivers of change in socio-ecological context as best practice. Regional Scale ecological risk assessments of multiple sources, stressors and diverse ecosystems that address multiple social and ecological endpoints, have been undertaken internationally at different spatial scales using the relative-risk model since the mid 1990's. With the recent incorporation of Bayesian belief networks into the relative-risk model, a robust regional scale ecological risk assessment approach is available that can contribute to achieving the best practice recommendations of E-flow frameworks. PROBFLO is a regional scale, holistic E-flow assessment method that incorporates the relative-risk model and Bayesian belief networks (BN-RRM) into a transparent probabilistic modelling tool that addresses uncertainty explicitly. PROBFLO has been developed to holistically evaluate the socio-ecological consequences of historical, current and future altered flows in the context of non-flow drivers and generate E-flow requirements on regional scales spatial scales. The approach has been implemented in two regional scale case studies in Africa where its flexibility and functionality has been demonstrated. In both case studies the evidence based outcomes facilitated informed environmental management decision making, in the context of social and ecological aspirations. This paper presents the PROBFLO approach as applied to the Senqu River catchment in Lesotho and further developments and application in the Mara River catchment in Kenya and Tanzania. The ten BN-RRM procedural steps incorporated in PROBFLO are demonstrated with examples from both case studies. Outcomes allowed stakeholders to consider sustainable social and ecological E-flow trade-offs between social and ecological endpoints. PROBFLO can be incorporated into adaptive management processes and contribute to the sustainable management of the use and protection of water resources.
2 O’Brien, G. C.; Dickens, Chris; Baker, C.; Stassen, R.; van Weert, F. 2020. Sustainable floodplains: linking e-flows to floodplain management, ecosystems, and livelihoods in the Sahel of North Africa. Sustainability, 12(24):10578. (Special issue: Durable Protections for Free-Flowing Rivers) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410578]
Floodplains ; Sustainability ; Environmental flows ; Water management ; Ecosystem services ; Livelihoods ; Risk assessment ; Water resources ; Flooding ; Social aspects ; Ecological factors ; Stakeholders ; Communities ; Habitats ; Deltas ; Rivers ; Models ; Uncertainty / North Africa / Sahel / Mali / Inner Niger Delta / Upper Niger River
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050174)
(16.10 MB) (16.1 MB)
Floodplains are particularly important in the semi-arid region of the Sub-Sahelian Africa. In this region, water governance is still being developed, often without adequate information and technical capacity for good, sustainable water resource management. However, water resources are being allocated for use with minimal sustainability considerations. Environmental flows (e-flows) include the quantity and timing of flows or water levels needed to meet the sustainable requirements of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. Holistic regional scale e-flows linked to floodplain management can make a noticeable contribution to sustainable floodplain management. The Inner Niger Delta (IND) in Mali is an example of a vulnerable, socio-ecologically important floodplain in the Sahel region of North Africa that is being developed with little understanding of sustainability requirements. Although integrally linked to the Upper Niger River catchment, the IND sustains a million and half people within the region and exports food to surrounding areas. The flooding of the Delta is the engine of the socio-economic development as well as its ecological integrity. This paper aims to demonstrate the contribution that holistic regional e-flow assessment using the PROBFLO approach has to achieving floodplain sustainability. This can be achieved through the determining the e-flow requirements to maintain critical requirements of the ecosystems and associated services used by local vulnerable human communities for subsistence and describing the socio-ecological consequences of altered flows. These outcomes can contribute to the management of the IND. In this study, the socio-ecological consequences of altered flows have been evaluated by assessing the risk of alterations in the volume, duration, and timing of flows, to a number of ecological and social endpoints. Based on the risk posed to these endpoints by each scenario of change, an e-flow of 58% (26,685 million cubic meters (MCM) of water annually) was determined that would protect the ecosystem and maintain indicator components at a sustainable level. These e-flows also provide sustainable services to local communities including products for subsistence and limit any abnormal increases in diseases to the vulnerable African communities who live in the basin. Relative risk outputs for the development scenarios result in low-to-high-risk probabilities for most endpoints. The future development scenarios include insufficient flows to maintain sustainability during dry or low-flow periods with an increase in zero flow possibilities. Although unsuitable during the low-flow or dry periods, sufficient water is available through storage in the basin to meet the e-flows if these scenarios were considered for implementation. The IND is more vulnerable to changes in flows compared to the rivers upstream of the IND. The e-flow outcomes and consequences of altered flow scenarios has contributed to the management of vulnerable IND floodplains and the requirements and trade-off considerations to achieve sustainability.
3 O’Brien, G. C.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Mor, C.; England, M. I. 2021. Towards good e-flows practices in the small-scale hydropower sector in Uganda. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9:579878. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.579878]
Hydropower ; Small scale systems ; Environmental flows ; Sustainability ; Water resources ; Water management ; Rivers ; Ecosystem services / Uganda
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050614)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2021.579878/pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050614.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050614.pdf
(2.72 MB) (2.72 MB)
Stakeholders of the small-scale (<50 MW generation capacity) hydropower sector in Uganda recognise the importance of sustainable development of the resources that have social and ecological importance. Uganda is experiencing a boom in hydropower projects resulting in over generation of electricity and its exportation to neighbouring nations. Limited policies are currently available in Uganda to direct the sustainable development of this sector. Environmental flows (e-flows) practices established for the Nile Basin region and international good e-flows practices can contribute to sustainable management of hydropower developments in Uganda. The paper defines and explains e-flows, identifies water resource attributes of importance for e-flows determination associated with hydropower and threat associated with this activity in Uganda, and provides good e-flows determination and management practices based on regional and international information. The determination and management of e-flows in the hydropower sector in Uganda is largely dependent on the availability of and quality of hydrology, hydraulic and flow-ecosystem and flow-ecosystem service relationship information. This review of good-practice e-flows practice for the small hydropower sector in Uganda provides guidance to support multiple stakeholders of water resources in Uganda for a better future for all of its vulnerable communities and the environments they depend on.
4 O’Brien, G. C.; Mor, C.; Buhl-Nielsen, E.; Dickens, Christopher W. S.; Olivier, A.-L.; Cullis, J.; Shrestha, P.; Pitts, H.; Baleta, H.; Rea, D. 2021. The nature of our mistakes, from promise to practice: water stewardship for sustainable hydropower in Sub-Saharan Africa. River Research and Applications, 37(10):1538-1547. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3849]
Water resources ; Water management ; Planning ; Hydropower ; Renewable energy ; Resource management ; Multi-stakeholder processes ; Decision making ; Sustainable development ; Society ; Environmental flows ; Dams / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050665)
(1.23 MB)
The role of hydropower in the renewable energy mix for Africa's green development is widely recognised and underpinned by respective government and development partner funded initiatives. However, the growing demand for energy must be balanced with considerations for resource protection and benefit sharing of water resource developments with vulnerable human communities. An international conference on water stewardship for sustainable hydropower brought together key stakeholders in Nairobi, Kenya. This paper aims to synthesise the key messages of experts who attended the conference, presents the emerging body of good practice policies, plans and action in developing sustainable hydropower in Sub-Saharan Africa, and provides recommendations for the way forward. Outcomes of the conference include considerations, planning for sustainable resource development, resource protection considerations, sharing of resource development benefits, and putting the promise into practice. This discussion describes the nature of our planning and management mistakes in the past, presents good practice options and how to implement sustainable hydropower in the future.
5 Arthington, A. H.; Tickner, D.; McClain, M. E.; Acreman, M. C.; Anderson, E. P.; Babu, S.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Horne, A. C.; Kaushal, N.; Monk, W. A.; O’Brien, G. C.; Olden, J. D.; Opperman, J. J.; Owusu, Afua G.; Poff, N. L.; Richter, B. D.; Salinas-Rodríguez, S. A.; Shamboko Mbale, B.; Tharme, R. E.; Yarnell, S. M. 2023. Accelerating environmental flow implementation to bend the curve of global freshwater biodiversity loss. Environmental Reviews, 27p. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2022-0126]
Environmental flows ; Freshwater ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem services ; Resilience ; Rivers ; Water availability ; Water users ; Stakeholders ; Climate change ; Constraints ; Legislation ; Regulations ; Monitoring ; Funding ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Ecological factors ; Infrastructure ; Human resources ; Capacity development ; Training ; Case studies / USA / Guatemala / Mexico / Canada / UK / South Africa / Zambia / India / China / Australia / Putah Creek Tributary / Usumacinta River / Peace-Athabasca Delta / Savannah River / Roanoke River / Great Brak River Estuary / Olifants River / Luangwa River / Nile River Basin / Ramganga River / Yangtze River / Lower Goulburn River
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052092)
(1.91 MB) (1.91 MB)
Environmental flows (e-flows) aim to mitigate the threat of altered hydrological regimes in river systems and connected waterbodies and are an important component of integrated strategies to address multiple threats to freshwater biodiversity. Expanding and accelerating implementation of e-flows can support river conservation and help to restore the biodiversity and resilience of hydrologically altered and water-stressed rivers and connected freshwater ecosystems. While there have been significant developments in e-flow science, assessment, and societal acceptance, implementation of e-flows within water resource management has been slower than required and geographically uneven. This review explores critical factors that enable successful e-flow implementation and biodiversity outcomes in particular, drawing on 13 case studies and the literature. It presents e-flow implementation as an adaptive management cycle enabled by 10 factors: legislation and governance, financial and human resourcing, stakeholder engagement and co-production of knowledge, collaborative monitoring of ecological and social-economic outcomes, capacity training and research, exploration of trade-offs among water users, removing or retrofitting water infrastructure to facilitate e-flows and connectivity, and adaptation to climate change. Recognising that there may be barriers and limitations to the full and effective enablement of each factor, the authors have identified corresponding options and generalizable recommendations for actions to overcome prominent constraints, drawing on the case studies and wider literature. The urgency of addressing flow-related freshwater biodiversity loss demands collaborative networks to train and empower a new generation of e-flow practitioners equipped with the latest tools and insights to lead adaptive environmental water management globally. Mainstreaming e-flows within conservation planning, integrated water resource management, river restoration strategies, and adaptations to climate change is imperative. The policy drivers and associated funding commitments of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offer crucial opportunities to achieve the human benefits contributed by e-flows as nature-based solutions, such as flood risk management, floodplain fisheries restoration, and increased river resilience to climate change.
6 O'Brien, G. C.; Wade, M.; Bembe, M. J.; Slinda, D.; Mashego, T. 2023. Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring tool: enhancing the usability of the PROBFLO e-flows framework in the Limpopo Catchment. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation. 15p.
Environmental flows ; Monitoring ; Frameworks ; Risk assessment ; River basins ; Digital technology / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052652)
(7.86 MB)
This study presents an innovative tool and approach developed to facilitate the adaptive testing or monitoring of e-flow frameworks and environmental flows (e-flows) implementation using digital tools and real-time data to ensure sustainable water resource management. The project, conducted in two river basins in southern Africa, focuses on creating a user-friendly digital Application Tool, integrated with a high-resolution 3D model and modern sensors, to monitor changes in river ecosystems post eflow implementation. The methodology, grounded in the established PROBFLO e-flow frameworks for these two basins, involves an eight-step process to determine e-flows for maintaining sustainable ecosystems and the holistic testing of the socio-ecological consequences of altered flow and non-flow environmental variables. It begins with site selection, considers physico-chemical dynamics, establishes flow-ecosystem relationships, and generates flow scenarios. Utilizing Bayesian Networks (BN), the model evaluates risk or socio-ecological consequences associated with proposed e-flow requirements and any other past, present or future resource development scenario, integrating ecosystem components to ensure the holistic suitability of the determined e-flows. The risk assessment builds on to the ecological components with the including of ecosystem service allowing for the social consequences of altered flows to be evaluated using the same framework. The development of a user-friendly PROBFLO Environmental Framework Assessment (EFA) Tool enables stakeholders to test scenarios and assess risk outcomes without extensive probability or resources specialization expertise. The PROBFLO EFA Tool streamlines data analysis and BN modelling, offering an accessible platform to evaluate e-flow scenarios. While the PROBFLO EFA Tool is still undergoing refinements, its potential to empower users in making informed decisions regarding e-flow management is evident.
7 O'Brien, G. C.; Kaiser-Reichel, A.; McNeil, T.; van der Waal, B. W.; Huchzermeyer, N.; Singh, S.; Pringle, J.; Harvey, T. A.; Maharaj, U.; Singh, K.; Cronje, L. 2023. Development of an environmental flow implementation and monitoring approach: using digital technology to construct accurate 3D hydrodynamic models of a river reach to monitor the implementation of environmental flows. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation. 25p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052679)
(3.78 MB)
This study presents a comprehensive approach to developing an effective monitoring system for e- flow implementation in river ecosystems using high-resolution 3D modeling and modern sensor technology. The research focuses on the Limpopo and Incomati basins in Southern Africa. Environmental flows (e-flows) represent the volume and quality of water that needs to remain in a river to sustain the ecosystem and hence all those who benefit from a functional ecosystem (thus, society and the economy). The objective of this study is to support the implementation of e-flows around the world which has been poor despite a wide-spread acceptance of the philosophy. While monitoring e-flow volumes (and quality) is a relatively simple matter, monitoring the effectiveness of the prescribed e-flow requires that evidence of a sustained ecosystem is collected, ideally together with evidence of the impact on beneficiaries of that ecosystem. This project investigates whether appropriate digital tools and real-time data could assist with the management, education, awareness and implementation of e-flows. This project includes digital approaches to monitoring the change in river ecosystems following the implementation of e-flows in two river basins in southern Africa, facilitating an adaptive management approach for sustainable water resources management globally. This report documents the development of an e-flow implementation monitoring approach based on a high-resolution 3D model (2D hydraulic modelling) of river sites that would be used to document changes in river ecosystem structure over time. This will be linked to the use of modern sensors that will be attached to fish as well as to hard substrates that will enable real-time monitoring of the ecological acceptability of e-flow implementation including water quantity and quality management. Coupled with this will be an upgrade of the PROBFLO e-flow framework to make it more accessible and usable, thus facilitating the use of the model outputs by basin authorities for long- term e-flow management that would include investigation of future scenarios. The project aims to advance the PROBFLO e-flow framework, integrating 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic modeling to understand the intricate relationships between river flow dynamics and habitat availability. The study emphasizes the importance of eco-hydraulic models in predicting river changes and their impact on aquatic habitats, employing advanced survey technologies like LiDAR, ADCP, and hydrographic surveys.
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