Decision Support for the (Inter-)Basin Management of Water Resources Using Integrated Hydro-Economic Modeling

Abstract

The development of adequate modeling at the basin level to establish public policies has an important role in managing water resources. Hydro-economic models can measure the economic effects of structural and non-structural measures, land and water management, ecosystem services and development needs. Motivated by the need of improving water allocation using economic criteria, in this study, a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) with a hydro-economic optimization model (HEAL system) was developed and used for the identification and analysis of an optimal economic allocation of water resources in a case study: the sub-middle basin of the São Francisco River in Brazil. The developed SDSS (HEAL system) made the economically optimum allocation available to analyze water allocation conflicts and trade-offs. With the aim of providing a tool for integrated economic-hydrological modeling, not only for researchers but also for decision-makers and stakeholders, the HEAL system can support decision-making on the design of regulatory and economic management instruments in practice. The case study results showed, for example, that the marginal benefit function obtained for inter-basin water transfer, can contribute for supporting the design of water pricing and water transfer decisions, during periods of water scarcity, for the well-being in both basins.

Agricultural land suitability for rainfed and irrigated crop cultivation in a semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil

“…In a region with severe rainfall and soil restrictions, mapping the availability of suitable land under different cultivation conditions can help guide water resource allocation strategies based on sustainable options (Le page et al, 2017) that can provide better socioeconomic conditions (Cruz, Ramos, Barata & Sargento, 2017). For this purpose, the priorities areas for agricultural production identified so far will be inserted in futures works into the innovated HEAL System, under development (Silva & Moraes, 2021). This platform is a Spatial Decision Support System with integrated hydro-economic models developed to support modelers and decision-makers on the design of water resource management.…”

Abordagem hidroeconômica como subsídio à tomada de decisão na alocação de água em reservatório do semiárido brasileiro

“…A modelagem hidroeconômica é capaz de induzir mudanças no comportamento dos usuários. Sendo assim, os modelos hidroeconômicos podem subsidiar a criação de instrumentos de gestão que induzam a alocações economicamente mais eficientes (Silva & Moraes, 2021;Moraes et al, 2014).…”