The institutionalization of River Basin Management as politics of scale – Insights from Mongolia

Houdret, Annabelle; Dombrowsky, Ines; Horlemann, Lena

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.11.037

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The Mongolian water sector is in a period of dynamic institutional transition [49], thus addressing problems of data scarcity requires a flexible and adaptable approach, such as proposed by the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) concept. In addition, it is argued that the methodology of the EC Water Framework Directive (EC-WFD, EC 2000/60/EC) [50], can only partly serve as a model for IWRM implementation at a river basin-scale in Mongolia [33].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Initial Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Stream Landscapes in Northern Mongolia

Hofmann

Karthe

Ibisch

et al. 2015

Water

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A comprehensive monitoring project (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013) provided data on hydrology, hydromorphology, climatology, water physico-chemistry, sedimentology, macroinvertebrate community and fish diversity in the Kharaa River basin in northern Mongolia, thus enabling, for the first time, a detailed characterization of the stream landscapes. Surface waters were categorized into separate "water bodies" according to their identifiable abiotic and biocoenotic features, subsequently creating the smallest management sub-units within the river basin. Following the approach of the European Water Framework Directive (EC-WFD), in order to obtain a good ecological status (GES), four clearly identifiable water bodies in the Kharaa River main channel and seven water bodies consisting of the basin's tributaries were delineated. The type-specific undisturbed reference state of various aquatic ecosystems was identified in the assessment and used to set standards for OPEN ACCESSWater 2015, 7 3167 restoration goals. With regards to water quality and quantity, the upper reaches of the Kharaa River basin in the Khentii Mountains were classified as having a "good" ecological and chemical status. Compared with these natural reference conditions in the upper reaches, the initial risk assessment identified several "hot spot" regions with impacted water bodies in the middle and lower basin. Subsequently, the affected water bodies are at risk of not obtaining a level of good ecological and/or chemical status for surface waters. Finally, a matrix of cause-response relationships and stressor complexes has been developed and is presented here. The applicability of management approaches is discussed to better foster the development of a sustainable river basin management plan. The application of natural references states offers a sound scientific base to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities across the Kharaa River basin.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Water Law of 2012 [45] was intended as an "umbrella", coordinating all laws and by-laws concerning the water sector. One of its main requirements is the development of a national IWRM plan for Mongolia and each of the country's 29 river basins [49].…”

Section: Water Management In Mongoliamentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Stream Landscapes in Northern Mongolia

Hofmann

Karthe

Ibisch

et al. 2015

Water

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“…Ecosystem boundaries determine the spatial boundaries of governance [57] Water-basin council as the governance and management body; multiple stakeholders in decision-making process [30,33,36] Ecoregional management Eco-centric perspective to manage specific geographical ecosystems that can be defined at any scale based on the utilized eco-parameters; human activity is a part of nature [11,58] Collaborative decision-making, decentralized to the ecoregional level [58] Landscape scale management/Landscape governance Landscape management considers biological and geophysical elements as well as people, land use, infrastructure, social organizations, institutional arrangements, and cultural, spiritual, and utility values [59] Aims to harmonize socially-constructed spaces and "natural" conditions of places; it is a process of political shaping and dealing with complex and locally-oriented problems [60] The water basin can be utilized as the primary geo-spatial unit for WQG. From the river basin to stream and stream segments, the water basins can be divided to manage water quality issues [61].…”

Section: Water-basin Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Paradigm Shift in Water Quality Governance in a Transitional Context: A Critical Study about the Empowerment of Local Governance in Georgia

Withanachchi

Ghambashidze

Kunchulia

et al. 2018

Water

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Abstract:The management of water quality is an important part of natural resource governance. Assurance of water quality therefore requires formulation of the regulatory framework and institutional process. Water quality-related problems and their management are mainly recognized as local responsibilities in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The politics of environmental policy-making should consider the political economic dynamics and socio-ecological patterns. Decentralization by providing more power to the local level and moving to a new spatial management system that is based on water basins are the two strong entreaties in the new water governance paradigm. Transitional countries facing rapid institutional adjustment, restructuring of regulations, and political-economic changes are encountering these demands internally and externally in their policy formulations. In this context, this study critically examines the case of Georgia, a transitional country. In particular, the focus is on how local governance entities can be empowered and what obstacles water quality governance encounters in Georgia. Qualitative research design is the main research method implemented in this study. The key findings from the research analysis are as follows: the existing regulations and governance system do not facilitate the active engagement of local entities in water quality governance. The application of new water polices may fail again if a top-down governance model is put in place that only creates a narrow space for local governance entities to effectively govern water quality.

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“…It further received positive attention in subsequent meetings such as the World Water Forums, the International Freshwater Conference in Bonn (2001) or the Johannesburg Earth Summit 2002 [44]. Since then, the basin as management unit in IWRM is widely accepted [12,[44][45][46][47].…”

Section: Integrated Water Resources Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Making the Water–Soil–Waste Nexus Work: Framing the Boundaries of Resource Flows

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The Sustainable Development Goals have placed integrated resources management, such as integrated water resource management, at the heart of their targets. The upcoming "International Decade for Action-Water for Sustainable Development", 2018-2028 has highlighted the importance of promoting efficient water usage at all levels, taking into account the water, food, energy, and environmental nexus. While integrated resource management approaches have been defined and applied for decades, nexus approaches are more recent. For these latter approaches to be implemented on the ground, their system boundaries need to be clarified. While the Water-Energy-Food Nexus focuses on sectors, the Water-Soil-Waste Nexus addresses linkages between environmental resources-namely water, soil and waste-to tackle sustainable management. In this paper, we analyzed integrated management systems and how their system boundaries are defined. From this we determined that in order for system boundaries to be applicable, they should be clear, wide and flexible. Based on this, we propose the boundary of the Water-Soil-Waste Nexus system. We use two case studies to exemplify the usefulness of these system boundaries.

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The institutionalization of River Basin Management as politics of scale – Insights from Mongolia

Cited by 37 publications

References 28 publications

Initial Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Stream Landscapes in Northern Mongolia

Initial Characterization and Water Quality Assessment of Stream Landscapes in Northern Mongolia

A Paradigm Shift in Water Quality Governance in a Transitional Context: A Critical Study about the Empowerment of Local Governance in Georgia

Making the Water–Soil–Waste Nexus Work: Framing the Boundaries of Resource Flows

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