91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ

Hydrographic Basin of the Alto Araguaia, Brazil

Originating in the Serra do Caiapó, the 2,115 km-long Araguaia River plays a crucial role in Brazil's centre-west and northern regions where agricultural output is projected to surpass the national average growth rate. 

However, the region's reliance on the Araguaia River for irrigation and food production makes it vulnerable from a socio-economic perspective but also from an ecological perspective; the Upper Araguaia, part of the biodiverse Cerrado biome, is home to over 11,600 plant species and numerous endemic birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians which are vulnerable to unsustainable agricultural practices.

Urban Ecohydrology Observatory Southern Ontario, Canada

Intersectoral and community-based research projects at this site focus on protecting water quality, including by reducing the quantity of nutrients from wastewater and farming entering the water supply system. 

Projects are also focusing on curbing pollution from microplastics, ecohydrological restoration, source water protection, water quality improvement and climate mitigation. The findings of this research are being used to inform management strategies that optimize the benefits, such as by attenuating flooding, reducing the phosphorus content and curbing greenhouse gas emissions from bioretention systems designed to treat and filter stormwater runoff.

The research projects at the demosite are being carried out in close collaboration with local and regional government agencies, engineering companies and citizen science groups to help them appreciate better the ecological and social benefits of investing in this type of infrastructure. 

Sibbald Fen, Canada

Situated 70 km west of Calgary, this 1.3 km² fen peatland is accompanied by over 30 associated beaver ponds. This ecosystem is located in the Upper Foothills Natural Subregion. It represents a unique landscape that has been shaped by the interaction of wetland vegetation and beaver activity. 

Besides the exploration of beaver-based ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, the current ecohydrology project aims to explore the role of the peatland and its associated beaver ponds in mitigating the anticipated increase in upland runoff from forest harvesting and to develop of deploying nature-based solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on water availability. These solutions include carbon capture and a more efficient use of water.

Demnitzer Millcreek Catchment, Germany

For the past 30 years, this 70 km² site has provided crucial data on the hydroclimate and water chemistry of the European Central Lowlands and North European Plain, which have been the object of scientific publications. The site covers various catchments. Prone to drought, it experiences low rainfall and high rates of water loss. 

The research being done at the site focuses on how to evaluate the ways in which different land uses affect the partition of green and blue water. Green water is held in the soil, so can only be used locally by plants. Blue water flows through rivers lakes and aquifers. This study should also provide a crucial basis for evaluating how water storage can be improved by land management strategies to build resilience to future climate change. 

Hareoli Barrage, Ramganga River, India

The Ramganga River is a vital tributary of the Ganga River system in northern India. The river provides 19 million people with essential ecosystem services, including a water supply, fertile sediments and aquifer recharge. 

The river faces challenges throughout its 650 km course, mirroring those of the Ganga itself. The river runs from pristine mountains upstream which support the biodiversity in Corbett National Park to its regulated middle stretch with its diversions and industrial impact, including pollution, and finally to the relatively healthier lower stretch which meanders through an agricultural landscape. 

A consortium of seven Indian Institutes of Technology (in Kanpur, Delhi, Roorkee, Bombay, Madras, Kharagpur and Guwahati) has developed the Ganga River Basin Management Plan with partners that include the World Wildlife Fund India, as well as a similar plan targeting the Ramganga River specifically, which has also been designed in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Water Resources Agency.

Subak Bengkel, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

This site has managed to control water flow, curb pollution and reduce the rate of crop failure within the historic Subak community by using nature-based solutions such as bioremediation and waste sorting. 

The same project has also integrated cultural principles (Tri Hita Karana) to develop sustainable water management and foster climate adaptation. The project's outputs include effective stormwater management approaches and sustainable farming practices. 

The site is also a UNESCO cultural World Heritage property.

Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Wastewater Treatment System/Wetland, Islamabad, Pakistan

This wetland is enclosed by the Soan and Korang Rivers, Rawal Lake and numerous drinking water tube wells. The area covers about 1,386 km² that is home to a population of 3.54 million. It is, thus, a vital area for the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region.

The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources has initiated measures to safeguard the wetland. It has produced different varieties of aquatic plant, algae and fruit trees to enable the wetland to treat wastewater efficiently. It also developed rooftop rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. As a consequence, the groundwater table rose by 3 metres in 2022. 

Bofedales: Pastoralist Systems, Cusco, Peru

Situated in the Vilcanota–Urubamba watershed, the Pitumarca river basin is occupied by approximately 200 families living in Chillca, Mollohuire and Ausangate Cocha at an altitude of 4,200 metres. 

These communities’ livelihoods rely on herding alpacas and other camelids. These animals roam over an area spanning more than 25,000 hectares that can reach an altitude of 6,384 metres. The communities’ livelihood, thus, hinges on maintaining the health of pastures, grasslands and wetlands.

The Amunas of the Carhuayumac Micro-Basin, Peru

Water sowing, or siembra de agua in Spanish, involves revitalizing ancient hydraulic systems, particularly the amunas, traditional structures dating back to the pre-Inca era. Originating from Quechua, amunas exemplify ecohydrology by promoting water infiltration and retaining soil moisture. 

Positioned strategically in the Carhuayumac watershed, within the proposed UNESCO Global Geopark of Marcahuasi, the Amunas of San Pedro de Casta play a pivotal role in the Rimac river basin, a vital source of water for over 10 million residents of Lima. 

This practice not only aligns with ecohydrology principles but also integrates cultural preservation into modern water management, showcasing the synergy between ancient engineering and contemporary sustainability

Taehwa River (Ulsan Metropolitan City), Republic of Korea

Taehwa River was once a dead river. In 2005, the Ulsan Metropolitan City launched the Taehwa River Master Plan, in collaboration with academia, local citizens and the private sector. The project significantly improved the water quality and restored the riverine ecosystem, enabling migratory birds and homing fish to return and local citizens and tourists to enjoy this natural environment. The Ulsan Metropolitan City remains committed to managing the basin in an ecofriendly manner through the Taehwa River Vision 2040, which encompasses five sectors: history and culture; urban regeneration and planning; the natural ecosystem; tourism; and infrastructure and transportation.

Gapcheon (Daejeon Metropolitan City), Republic of Korea

The Daejeon Metropolitan City in the centre of the Republic of Korea has a population of 1.5 million. It is a national hub for transportation, science and technology. The Gapcheon river basin covers forest, wetland and riverine ecosystems with approximately 490 species of fauna and flora. The river also flows through the city and is, thus, exposed to pollution and over-use. The Daejeon Metropolitan City initiated the Blue Waterway Grand Plan in 2023 to bring people and nature together. The municipality is now actively carrying out projects tailored for each sub-basin which can be categorized into five sectors: water use; water-related disaster reduction; the water environment; waterfront; and transportation and culture. 

Rivers of Life Programme of the University of Mpumalanga, South Africa

The Crocodile River is a vital tributary of the Incomati River Basin. It forms the southern boundary of Kruger National Park in South Africa, thereby contributing to a regional biodiversity hotspot. With highly seasonal flows, the river supports the migration of fish from freshwater to saltwater habitats.

Positioned downstream of the confluence of the Nelspruit and Kaap Rivers, the site is crucial for conservation and the sustainable use of water resources, balancing human activities and international obligations toward vulnerable communities living in Mozambique.

Tagus River, Spain

The Tagus River is the longest in the Iberian Peninsula. It flows from central Spain to Lisbon, Portugal, dividing the Iberian Plateau. With over 10 million people in its catchment, pollution is an issue that is particularly acute in the agglomeration of Madrid. However, the Lisbon estuary also suffers from pollution.

The headwaters of the Tagus River flow into the Segura River basin and the Andalusian and Mediterranean basins in southeastern Spain, transferring water to a very arid region with a highly productive agricultural sector. The transferred water can sometimes account for up to 80% of the natural inflows to reservoirs in southeastern Spain. This has been justified by the imperatives of interregional solidarity and economic profitability but the resulting rise and fall of reservoir water levels can be detrimental for the economy, environment and water supply downstream. For instance, this affects protected areas such as the Natura 2000 Network and the two World Heritage properties of Aranjuez and Toledo). 

The study site is situated in the middle reach of the Tagus River on the Spanish side, which is intensively regulated and polluted. Here, it is suggested that environmental flows be preserved to maintain local ecosystems and reduce pollution levels.

Los Angeles River, United States of America

Los Angeles is a densely populated semi-arid city in the State of California which faces water supply challenges that are being exacerbated by warming temperatures and increasingly sporadic rainfall. 

Up to 70% of the Los Angeles River flow consists in discharged treated wastewater. Local governments aim to reuse treated wastewater and redirect stormdrain flows in the absence of a storm to align with the state's policy for recycling water. 

Meanwhile, the California State Water Resources Control Board has initiated the Los Angeles River Environmental Flows Project in collaboration with local authorities. This project aims to develop a toolset for assessing scenarios in which the flow of water dwindles, to establish minimal flow management targets that would be sufficient to sustain specific species, habitats and beneficial uses. 

The outcome will guide policies designed to balance local water supply needs with environmental preservation, to address concerns both about short-term drought and long-term climate change.