Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Introducing the Case Study Areas:
Hydro-climatic and Governance Contexts
Abstract
This chapter provides a comparative overview of the two case areas in
Chile and Switzerland. It details the political backdrop of the country as well as
introduces the river basin case areas of focus, the Rhône in Switzerland and the
Aconcagua in Chile. An introduction to the climatic situation is given, along with
an overview of the impacts of climate related extreme events on mountain water-
sheds. While both case areas are representative of mountain watershed nivo-glacial
regimes, they are contrasted by highly differing water governance regimes. Despite
these differences, both regions are contending with a wide range of pressure on
water resources, including increasing observation of climate change impacts on
water, snow and ice.
Keywords
Comparative case analysis; Rhône Canton Valais, Switzerland
Aconcagua, Region V, Chile Climate change impacts on water management
Socio-economic pressures Private market based governance Decentralised
governance
6.1
General Overview
Table
6.1
, provides a comparative overview of the two case areas. Both regions
represent mountain watershed nivo-glacial regimes, in which observed impacts of
climate change on glacial melt and elevation of the snow line have been documented.
Both regions have diverse demands on their water resources, for productive, con-
sumptive and ecological services. However, the two regions are distinct in that they
operate under highly different governance modes. The case areas cover a similar land
area, but while the Chilean basin is fully encapsulated within the case area, the Swiss
case area represents only the upper basin of the Rhône River. The Rhône is a major
European trans-boundary river which traverses two more cantons in Switzerland
before passing through France before it flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
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