Valuing nutrients in soil and water: Concepts and techniques with examples from IWMI studies in the developing world
Valuing nutrients in soil and water: Concepts and techniques with examples from IWMI studies in the developing world

Author: Drechsel, Pay, Giordano, Mark, Gyiele, Lucy

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 9789290905707

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Despite the importance of nutrient-water interactions, they are often ignored in analysis. After discussing the interrelationships between soil nutrients and water and reviewing methods for determining nutrient balances, this report describes an array of available methods for soil nutrient valuation and provides a discussion of four nutrient valuation studies, which together cover a range of scales, perspectives, and geographic contexts. It also includes case studies from Ghana, Mexico, sub-Saharan Africa, and an examination of possible approaches to valuing soil organic matter and its various functions--an often ignored area in literature.

An assessment of small-scale users' inclusion in large-scale water user associations of South Africa
An assessment of small-scale users' inclusion in large-scale water user associations of South Africa

Author: Faysse, Nicolas

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 45

ISBN-13: 9290905735

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The management of water resources is being transformed in South Africa. All water users, especially the small-scale ones, are now invited to participate in this movement. This report reviews the process of inclusion of small-scale users in the new large-scale Water User Associations (WUA).Considering the difficulties encountered in this process, this report also recommend external monitoring after the transformation of an Irrigation Board into a WUA. This method may also facilitate assessment of the inclusion of small-scale users into catchment management agencies, and water resource management organizations.

Spatial Variation in Water Supply and Demand Across River Basins of India
Spatial Variation in Water Supply and Demand Across River Basins of India

Author: Upali Amarasinghe

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 46

ISBN-13: 9290905727

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India is a large country with regional differences in per-capita water supply and demand. Attempts to describe the water situation in India at a national level are often misleading due to the tremendous diversity in the water situation across the country. This Report analyzes the spatial variation of water supply and demand across river basins in India. The study identifies basins that are water-scarce because of inadequate water availability to meet the effective demand. It also identifies issues that are important for estimating the future water demand and for the formation of policy for future water-resources development and management.

The Use of Remote Sensing Data for Drought Assessment and Monitoring in Southwest Asia
The Use of Remote Sensing Data for Drought Assessment and Monitoring in Southwest Asia

Author: Prasad Srinivasa Thenkabail

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9290905751

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This report describes the development of the near real-time drought monitoring and reporting system for the region, which currently includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and western parts of India. The system is based on drought-related indices derived from high-resolution remote-sensing data (MODIS). The unique feature of the study is the development of regression relationships between drought-related indices obtained from MODIS and AVHRR data, which have different pixel-resolution and optical characteristics. The goal is to make the system available, via Internet, to all stakeholders in the region.

Working wetlands: classifying wetland potential for agriculture
Working wetlands: classifying wetland potential for agriculture

Author: McCartney, M. P., Masiyandima, M., Houghton-Carr, H. A.

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 44

ISBN-13: 9290905980

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This paper reports on a form of multi-criteria analysis that provides a formal approach for evaluating the suitability of a wetland for specific agricultural uses, and ensures that explicit consideration is given to the possible consequences of such utilization. The method is based on a hybrid of ideas taken from concepts and methodologies related to: environmental flow assessments, land suitability classification and the hazard evaluation procedures used in the design of dams. The approach, which elaborates the idea of working wetlands, is generic, though the examples presented are for case studies from southern Africa.

When "conservation" Leads to Land Degradation
When

Author: Lesterlin, G., Giordano, Mark, Keohavong, G.

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9290905999

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In this report, we test the hypothesis that the primary factors behind the farming system changes in Ban Lak Sip lay not in the village itself but rather in the broader Laotian social, economic and political setting. The study uses an integrated approach that examines both the physical and social dimensions of land use and soil erosion in Ban Lak Sip within this broader system environment.

"Bright spots" in Uzbekistan, reversing land and water degradation while improving livelihoods: Key developments and sustaining ingredients for transition economies of the former Soviet Union

Author: Noble, Andrew, ul Hassan, Mehmood, Kazbekov, Jusipbek

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 45

ISBN-13: 9290905905

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Following the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and the collapse of existing trade arrangements, the newly independent states of Central Asia were left with the task of developing their own independent market economies. The region has undergone tremendous economic and social changes including significant agricultural reform mainly targeted at privatizing large collective farms that were established during the Soviet era. These reforms include the establishment of smaller private and cooperative farms in order to improve the efficiency and equity of existing production systems. Within Uzbekistan, this move to privatize farms has, in the majority of cases, led to declining productivity and net incomes. However, there have been instances where privatized farms and smaller collectives have been able to capitalize on these changes and perform at levels exceeding the norm. This Report identifies the key attributes of these successful farms that have been termed ''bright'' spots.

Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas
Strategies for the Management of Conjunctive Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Resources in Semi-arid Areas

Author: Asad Sarwar Qureshi

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 9290905794

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Due to inadequate rainfall, groundwater has acquired a vital role in the development of Pakistan's agricultural economy. However, a lack of awareness concerning the use of groundwater, either by itself or combined with canal water, has added large amounts of salt to the soil. As a result, large tracts of irrigated lands are already salinized, while many others are under threat. This report presents the results of a modeling study carried out to evaluate the long-term effects of a different quality of irrigation water on root zone salinity. The simulations were performed for the Rechna Doab (sub basin of the Indus Basin) in Pakistan, by using 15 years of actual rainfall and climatic data.