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Web-based Interactive Databases of Shared Water Resources for Ecosystems Preservation
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2009
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Shaker Verlag
Zusammenfassung
Transboundary or internationally shared surface and groundwaters are very important natural resources in Europe and worldwide. About 60% of global river flow lies within transboundary river basins, the surface area of which amounts to almost half of the world’s land surface. In Europe 69 major river catchments are transboundary, covering about 54% of Europe’s total land surface. For the effective use, preservation and management of these important natural resources and related ecosystems, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) play a critical role.
The importance of the role ICT can play in ecosystems preservation is demonstrated in this presentation on two levels: (1) developing interactive Web-based databases and (2) combining these databases for integrated modelling of shared water resources. Apart from economic considerations, water managers should also take into account and apply the main principles of integrated water resources management at the river catchment scale, which are included in new regulations for environmental protection, public participation and social equity. For example, the European Union Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD) stipulates that water resources management should combine economic issues together with technical reliability in order to meet environmental and social objectives.
A Web–based database system was developed by the UNESCO Chair INWEB (The International Network of Water Environment Centres for the Balkans) in cooperation with the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Economic Commission of Europe (ECE). The database covers transboundary water resources, both surface and aquifers, in South East Europe (SEE) and also in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (MEDA) countries. The main purpose of the database is to put together existing reliable data and information on shared aquifers in SEE and the MEDA regions and to make the results available to and accessible for use by all member states.
The database consists mainly of meta-data, is Web based and accessible through the Internet. Google technology is used as a background to show the location of the shared rivers and aquifers. Such information is useful to decision makers, water professionals, educators, students and other interested citizens. The database was used to develop an integrated model of a new hydropower project planned for the transboundary river Mesta/Nestos between Bulgaria and Greece. When the minimum ecological flow is not maintained, the predicted effects on the natural environment are loss of fish and mammal species, a drastic reduction in bird migration, loss of riparian forests, a drastic increase in coastal erosion at the mouth of the delta and loss of sea fish spawning grounds due to over salinisation. In the long term there would also be an impact on human activities linked to the environment such as coastal fisheries, a reduction in recreational activities both along the shore, due to the loss of sandy beaches, and inland in the Nestos gorges, where rafting would no longer be possible, and the closure of the nature park and related educational activities in the delta. The model shows that if the minimum environmental flow in the river bed is not maintained, the environmental costs of restoring good water and the ecological status of the delta area may significantly influence the socio-economic sustainability of the project.