Integrated assessment of water resources: Australian experiences

Abstract

It is widely accepted that water resource management demands an integrated assessment of resource use options, including local and regional impacts on the environment and stakeholders. Multiple issues, stakeholders and scales of system behaviour must be considered, as well as the key disciplines within and between the human and natural sciences. Modelling is a critical tool in integrated assessment. It enables effects of policy interventions, climate forcing and demographics to be predicted (although with some uncertainty), and provides a means of expanding understanding of river basin behaviour. It also acts as a vehicle for social learning among various interest groups. This paper discusses the various frameworks and methods being used for integrated modelling, and their suitability and unfulfilled potential for these purposes. The frameworks include coupled component models, systems dynamics models, metamodels, risk-assessment approaches, Bayesian decision networks, agent-based methods, expert systems and other heuristic knowledge-based techniques. Specific software platforms are not considered but the lessons from software development and implementation are clearly spelt out. The paper presents three Australian case studies in integrated assessment. They vary in their range of catchment/watershed sizes, hydroclimatology, issues of concern and stakeholders engaged. Two of them utilise a coupled component modelling framework and the third a Bayesian decision network approach. The paper illustrates the value, problems and lessons of integrated assessment and modelling. In particular it proposes some Water Resour Manage (2007) 21:351-373 ways to address the challenges of assessing options to obtain more sustainable basin-wide outcomes.

Integrated assessment of policy interventions for promoting sustainable irrigation in semi-arid environments: A hydro-economic modeling approach

“…Among the extensive suite of methods used for integrated water management (Bayesian networks, metamodels, risk-assessment approaches, and others, see Croke et al, 2007), hydro-economic models have emerged as privileged tools to assist policy-makers in the assessment and development of sustainable water management strategies (Booker et al, 2012). The combination of economic insights with hydrology and engineering processes offers a more realistic and coherent framework to analyze the potential implications of water management and climate-related issues for all water users (Brouwer and Hofl<es, 2008;Medellín-Azuara et al, 2009).…”

The changes of densities and patterns of roads and rural buildings: a case study on Dongzhi Yuan of the Loess Plateau, China

“…In conclusion, environmental factors have greatly shaped roads and rural buildings, which have influenced the environment in turn. Integrated watershed management techniques and state-funded schemes such as the Grain-for-Green project are considered as efficient tools to solve these typical problems (Rao and Kumar 2004;Chen et al 2007c;Croke et al 2007), where those factors including farmlands, roads, and rural buildings, as well as local people's demands, are considered (Chen et al 2007c). Due to the complexity of the problems, there are still great challenges for local people to manage and assess roads and rural buildings in Dongzhi Yuan, and even in the Loess Plateau.…”

Applicability of Adapted Reservoir Operation for Water Stress Mitigation Under Dry Year Conditions

“…For example, Ewing et al (2004) applied successfully a combined model approach for the prediction of future water quality conditions and the evaluation of different management strategies for several reservoirs and lakes in Australia. But, Croke et al (2007) argue also that contrary to common thinking, the more integration represented in the model, the simpler the model needs to be to allow for testing.…”

“…Considerable research has been carried out regarding the inclusion of quality parameters in different simulation models (Paredes and Lund 2006;Muhammetoglu et al 2005). Numerous complex model approaches already available have combined tools from different disciplines to arrive at an integrated outcome and have demonstrated potential to provide support for decision making (Croke et al 2007). For example, Ewing et al (2004) applied successfully a combined model approach for the prediction of future water quality conditions and the evaluation of different management strategies for several reservoirs and lakes in Australia.…”