Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Pyrenees are even considering collecting rainwater or snowmelt from the roofs of
public buildings in order to supply one-third of their mountain reservoirs. In terms
of climate change, the OECD (2007) has reported that about 50% of Mediterranean
ski areas will close with a temperature increase of 2-4
◦
C.
These rapid and diverse developments in water use require profound reflections
of water sharing and water management systems to avoid water conflicts and even
more water shortage. Therefore it is important to consider the development of deci-
sion support systems to economize, conserve and replenish water resources.
5.2.7
Decision support systems (DSS)
Decision support tools for integrated water resources management in mountain
regions are generally not well developed (Leavesley
et al.,
1996; Schreier, 2003;
SAEFL, 2003; FAO, 2004; de Jong
et al.,
2004, 2005c, 2006, 2008). This is mainly
due to the problem of hydrometeorological modelling in mountain catchments and
in particular the lack of validation data for models (Leavesley
et al.
, 1996). In
Mediterranean mountain regions the development of DSS with close stakeholder
participation is an essential issue in the immediate future (SAEFL, 2003; FAO,
2004; de Jong
et al.,
2006). Thus, in future it will be necessary to manage avail-
able snow- and rainfall-derived water resources in the light of adaptation strategies
rather than rely on the more traditional base of water availability (European Envi-
ronment Agency, 2009). The traditional water economy will no longer be adapted to
the growing water demands under increasing environmental and climatic pressures.
Conflicts between water for drinking, agriculture, hydroelectricity, artificial snow
production and tourism are likely to intensify. It is therefore important to analyze
the costs and benefits of adaptation strategies under different scenarios for moun-
tain regions, as was initiated for the Rockies by the Aspen Initiative of the Aspen
Global Change Institute (2006).
For this purpose it is essential to develop physical, biological, socioeconomic
and political indicators associated with hydrological issues (Table 5.3). Different
key criteria associated with a range of different sectors can be identified, which in
turn can have a series of impacts in each specific indicator field. For example, within
the field of physical indicators, air temperature and seasonality of rainfall/snowfall
affect tourism and socioeconomic activities. The key impacts are on the ski season,
artificial snow production, number of tourists, water availability (especially drink-
ing water), buffering of summer discharge, aquatic ecosystems, frequency of wild-
fires and the local economy. Within the field of socioeconomic indicators, key crite-
ria can include, for example, urbanization, diversity and spatial extent of mountain
valleys; the socioeconomic sectors affected include industry and tourism, through
impacts on roads, railways, housing, flooding, natural hazards and water availabil-
ity. Governance is another important key criterion, associated with integrated wa-
ter resources management, negotiation systems for water conflicts, and sustainable
and safe territorial management. The sectors influenced include water resources,
