Critical Factors for Water Policy to Enable Effective Environmental Flow Implementation

Harwood, Andrew; Tickner, David; Richter, Brian; Locke, Allan; Johnson, Susan; Yu, Xiaojing

doi:10.3389/fenvs.2018.00037

Cited by 35 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Other experiences have also highlighted the need for an action‐oriented dialogue among policy makers, water managers, water users and researchers about the necessity and dire consequences of failure to integrate environmental flows and ways of balancing critical trade‐offs (Richter, 2010; Dore et al ., 2012; Pahl‐Wostl et al ., 2013). Collaboration and buy‐in across all responsible stakeholders has been the main factor in the process of determining and successfully implementing and monitoring environmental flows in different regions of the world such as India, South Africa, China, USA and Mexico where structural decision making was employed in order to create a platform for dialogues in reviewing available information, defining objectives, dealing with uncertainties and trade‐offs between competing demands (Harwood et al ., 2017; Harwood et al ., 2018). Richter (2010) emphasized that fostering an inclusive and transparent stakeholder dialogue is the only way to realize a high degree of satisfaction, and hence sustainability, in water management in general.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These cases signify that over‐allocation of water for consumptive uses coupled with the effects of drought had led to critical challenges of sharing water among key consumptive uses while at the same time maintaining cultural values and protecting and restoring the natural environment. Nonetheless with a remarkable effort to reform the water sector, and hence, a critical legislative change, development of a comprehensive basin plan and basin wide executing institution that enabled actions towards more efficient uses and environmental water allocation, it was later considered a success (Riddell et al ., 2014; Harwood et al ., 2017; Harwood et al ., 2018). Additionally, River Kenneth in England and San Pedro Mezquital river in Mexico are few more examples of similar cases where legislations enforcement for basin planning that takes environmental flows into account have played a key role (Harwood et al ., 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dilemmas of integrated water resources management implementation in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: irrigation development versus environmental flows

Mersha

Fraiture

Masih

et al. 2020

Water & Environment J

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Environmental flows allocation is an intrinsic part of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This paper analyses socio‐political issues and effects of environmental flows integration on water availability under the context of increased agricultural intensification in an effort to tackle food insecurity. Lack of appropriate framework comprising the procedural requirements and strategic directions as well as prevalence of politically motivated ad hoc development programmes are among major challenges identified. Introducing environmental flows to a perceived satisfactory level would result in a significant increase of unmet irrigation water demand, yet, “productivity first” norm overtakes. This is presumed to be due to skewed focus on irrigation expansion and low awareness on the possible consequences. The particular challenges highlighted generally unveil the inherent contradictions in the IWRM concept putting its claim that the set of principles and entire course stand universally accepted as a means to balance socio‐economic and environmental outcomes under question.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dilemmas of integrated water resources management implementation in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: irrigation development versus environmental flows

Mersha

Fraiture

Masih

et al. 2020

Water & Environment J

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“…Together, this community has expanded environmental flows science and practice far beyond its historical foundations. Today, numerous countries in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia have established legislation and advanced practical experience related to environmental flows (Anderson et al, ; McClain & Anderson, ; Poff et al, ; Harwood et al ).…”

Section: How Has Environmental Flow Science Historically Conceived Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding rivers and their social relations: A critical step to advance environmental water management

et al. 2019

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River flows connect people, places, and other forms of life, inspiring and sustaining diverse cultural beliefs, values, and ways of life. The concept of environmental flows provides a framework for improving understanding of relationships between river flows and people, and for supporting those that are mutually beneficial. Nevertheless, most approaches to determining environmental flows remain grounded in the biophysical sciences. The newly revised Brisbane Declaration and Global Action Agenda on Environmental Flows (2018) represents a new phase in environmental flow science and an opportunity to better consider the co-constitution of river flows, ecosystems, and society, and to more explicitly incorporate these relationships into river management. We synthesize understanding of relationships between people and rivers as conceived under the renewed definition of environmental flows. We present case studies from Honduras, India, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia that illustrate multidisciplinary, collaborative efforts where recognizing and meeting diverse flow needs of human populations was central to establishing environmental flow recommendations. We also review a small body of literature to highlight examples of the diversity and interdependencies of human-flow relationships—such as the linkages between river flow and human well-being, spiritual needs, cultural identity, and sense of place—that are typically overlooked when environmental flows are assessed and negotiated. Finally, we call for scientists and water managers to recognize the diversity of ways of knowing, relating to, and utilizing rivers, and to place this recognition at the center of future environmental flow assessments.This article is categorized under:Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and AwarenessHuman Water > Water GovernanceHuman Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

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“…More than 30 large dams have been constructed along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and its tributaries. The natural flow and thermal regime in the downstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) were affected, which were required for the reproduction of four major Chinese carps [26]. The ecological operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) began from 2011, aimed at facilitating the breeding of four major species of Chinese carp (black carp, grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp).…”

Section: Pilot Of the Three Gorges Reservoirmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing for Sustainability: The Development of Environmental Flows Implementation in China

Chen

2019

Water

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Environmental flows (e-flows) are important for river protection and restoration under degraded ecological conditions. With increasing public desire for and pursuit of sustainable development, e-flows are widely used to reflect the hydrological regime requirements for sustaining freshwater ecosystems and human livelihoods. Over the past 40 years, e-flows implementation has shifted from static minimum flows to dynamic flow components. However, e-flows standards used to manage flow releases from dams are to a great extent based on expert judgement and government supervision. These attributes make it difficult to effectively implement e-flows in the non-stationary world. The primary focus of this paper is to review the history, management systems and scientific basis of e-flows in China. Firstly, the study classifies the development phases into four periods and then analyses the underpinning legal system for e-flows implementation in each period, including the laws, regulations, policies and responsible authorities. Finally, the scientific basis and methods for e-flows determination and assessment were analyzed. The study showed that: (1) e-flows have been officially regarded as ecological flow in China, which evolved from minimum flow, and the contents and connotations are still broadening; (2) currently, there are too many authorities related to e-flows and complicated legal documents in China which lead to ineffective implementation; (3) the scientific basis of e-flows is enriched from the relationship between hydrological alteration and ecological response, so that the practices will be more holistic in China. Despite the successful practices of e-flows implementation in large rivers, there are challenges for implementing future e-flows in small rivers. This study recommended that future e-flows implementation be integrated with sustainable water management by setting clear responsibilities for governments, ministries, and other stakeholders.

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Critical Factors for Water Policy to Enable Effective Environmental Flow Implementation

Cited by 35 publications

References 16 publications

Dilemmas of integrated water resources management implementation in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: irrigation development versus environmental flows

Dilemmas of integrated water resources management implementation in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: irrigation development versus environmental flows

Understanding rivers and their social relations: A critical step to advance environmental water management

Managing for Sustainability: The Development of Environmental Flows Implementation in China

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