Meeting ecosystem needs while satisfying human demands

Viers, Joshua H.

doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aa6e87

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…More recently, progress in e-flows has focused on specific functional flows that support natural disturbances that promote the physical dynamics and drive ecosystem functions (Yarnell et al 2015, Taniguchi-Quan et al 2022. The functional flows approach emphasizes process-based hydrograph components that are key to specific environmental outcomes and can guide management of regulated river systems (Viers 2017). Developing inherent relationships between ecological responses to flow alteration is necessary to enhance the scientific credibility of flow designs (Poff and Matthews 2013).…”

Section: System Resilience: Move From Simplistic Flow Designs To Ecos...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, a crucial priority for freshwater conservation is to accelerate the implementation of effective e-flows and their potential benefits such as improvements in water quality, critical habitat maintenance, and hydrologic connectivity (Tickner et al 2020). Consequently, our review addresses the gaps in e-flow implementation to help guide water management decisions and better meet ecosystem needs while satisfying human demands (Viers 2017). Within this context, the goals of this paper are to (1) explore the limitations in e-flow implementation by emphasizing current and future challenges of environmental water management and their implications;…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As suggested by Arthington et al (2018b), increased flow alteration and less water dedicated to the environment are expected in coming decades as human demands (e.g. flood and drought protection, electricity generation, urban/agricultural water supply, recreation) increase; and the consequences of that growing demand initiate a cascade of biophysical changes to ecosystems (Viers 2017). The management of competing demands with imperfect knowledge and constraints of existing governance structure requires a systems approach, challenging the more linear thinking often applied to policy development and implementation (Thompson et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Overcoming persistent challenges in putting environmental flow policy into practice: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Dourado

Rallings

Viers

2023

Environ. Res. Lett.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe implementation of environmental flows (e-flows) aims to reduce the negative impacts of hydrological alteration on freshwater ecosystems. Despite the growing attention to the importance of e-flows since the 1970s, actual implementation has lagged. Therefore, we explore the limitations in e-flows implementation, their systemic reasons, and solutions.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and a bibliometric analysis to identify peer-reviewed articles published on the topic of e-flows implementation research in the last two decades, resulting in 68 research and review papers. Co-occurrence of terms, and geographic and temporal trends were analyzed to identify the gaps in environmental water management and propose recommendations to address limitations on e-flows implementation. We identify the underlying causes and potential solutions to such challenges in environmental water management.Review ResultsThe limitations to e-flow implementation identified were categorized into 21 classes. The most recognized limitation was the competing priorities of human uses of water (n=29). Many secondary limitations, generally co-occurring in co-causation, were identified as limiting factors, especially for implementing more nuanced and sophisticated e-flows. The lack of adequate hydrological data (n=24) and ecological data (n=28) were among the most mentioned, and ultimately lead to difficulties in starting or continuing monitoring/adaptive management (n=28) efforts. The lack of resource/capacity (n=21), experimentation (n=19), regulatory enforcement (n=17), and differing authorities involved (n=18) were also recurrent problems, driven by the deficiencies in the relative importance given to e-flows when facing other human priorities.DiscussionIn order to provide a clearer path for successful e-flow implementation, system mapping can be used as a starting point and general-purpose resource for understanding the sociohydrological problems, interactions, and inherited complexity of river systems. Secondly, we recommend a system analysis approach to address competing demands, especially with the use of coupled water-energy modeling tools to support decision-making when hydropower generation is involved. Such approaches can better assess the complex interactions among the hydrologic, ecological, socioeconomic, and engineering dimensions of water resource systems and their effective management. Lastly, given the complexities in environmental water allocation, implementation requires both scientific rigor and proven utility. Consequently, and where possible, we recommend a move from simplistic flow allocations to a more holistic approach informed by hydroecological principles. To ease conflicts between competing water demands, water managers can realize more “pop per drop” by supporting key components of a flow regime that include functional attributes and processes that enhance biogeochemical cycling, structural habitat formation, and ecosystem maintenance.

show abstract

Section: System Resilience: Move From Simplistic Flow Designs To Ecos...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Overcoming persistent challenges in putting environmental flow policy into practice: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Dourado

Rallings

Viers

2023

Environ. Res. Lett.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, while studies have shown that it is possible to balance existing human demands while achieving key ecosystem targets under a functional flows approach (Kiernan et al, 2012;Chen and Olden, 2017;Sabo et al, 2017), human demands are unlikely to remain stationary. In addition to getting better ecological value from environmental flow management (Viers, 2017), understanding shifts in both hydrologic and nonenvironmental demands will be critical to identify the total capacity of water systems to support extractive water use.…”

Section: Future Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shifting Trade-offs: Finding the Sustainable Nexus of Hydropower and Environmental Flows in the San Joaquin River Watershed, California

Willis

Rheinheimer

Yarnell

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental flow management in watersheds with multi-objective reservoirs is often presented as an additional constraint to an already strained and over-allocated stream system. Nevertheless, environmental flow legislation and regulatory policies are increasingly being developed and implemented globally. In California, USA, recent legislative and regulatory policies place environmental flows at the forefront of the state’s water management objectives; however, the increased reliance on hydropower to support climate change mitigation goals may complicate efforts on both issues. This study modelled alternative environmental flow strategies in the major tributaries to the San Joaquin River in California. Strategies included detailed water management rules for hydropower production, flood control, and water deliveries, and three methodological approaches to environmental flow releases: minimum instream flows (“baseline”) year-round, 40% of full natural flow (FNF) during the spring runoff season and minimum releases the remainder of the year, and functional flows year-round. Results show that environmental flow strategies affect downstream flow releases in each of the San Joaquin’s four sub-basins differently depending on infrastructure capacity, water management objectives, and hydrologic year types. While hydropower production was comparable or declined in the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced basins, functional flow and 40% FNF strategies increased hydropower production in the Upper San Joaquin basin by 11%. Uncontrolled spill of high flow events decreased when high flow releases were based on hydrologic cues rather than exclusively on flood storage capacity. Water deliveries were reduced in all years regardless of environmental flow strategy. The 40% FNF and functional flow strategies both increased water released to the river relative to baseline, but in different ways. The functional flow strategy allocated water in a holistic approach that enhanced ecological functions in all years, but particularly in moderate and wet years. In contrast, the 40% FNF strategy provided increased flows relative to baseline and some ecological benefit in dry years, but less ecological benefit in other years. This study shows that alternative environmental flow strategies will have different and important trade-offs for integrated water management, and may mutually benefit seemingly conflicting objectives.

show abstract

From fallow ground to common ground: Perspectives on future land uses in the San Joaquin valley under sustainable groundwater management

Espinoza

Bernacchi

Eriksson

et al. 2023

Journal of Environmental Management

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Meeting ecosystem needs while satisfying human demands

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Overcoming persistent challenges in putting environmental flow policy into practice: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Overcoming persistent challenges in putting environmental flow policy into practice: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Shifting Trade-offs: Finding the Sustainable Nexus of Hydropower and Environmental Flows in the San Joaquin River Watershed, California

From fallow ground to common ground: Perspectives on future land uses in the San Joaquin valley under sustainable groundwater management

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About