The water resources of the Koshi Basin (87,311 km²) are largely untapped, and while proposals for their development exist, their impacts on current and future water demand are not quantified. The current study is the first to evaluate the impacts of 11 proposed development projects for hydropower generation and water storage. We find that 29,733 GWh of hydropower could be generated annually and 8382 million m³ of water could be stored. This could satisfy unmet demand in the current (660 million m³) basin situation and in future scenarios – i.e. population, agricultural and industrial growth – that are projected to have 920, 970 and 1003 million m³ of unmet demand, respectively, by 2050.

Multifunctionality is seen as one of the key benefits delivered by sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). It has been promoted by both scientific research and practical guidelines. However, interrelations between different benefits are vaguely defined, thus highlighting a lack of knowledge on ways they could be promoted in the actual design process. In this research, multifunctionality has been studied with the help of scenario analysis. Three stormwater scenarios involving different range of SUDS elements have been designed for the case area of Kirstinpuisto in the city of Turku, Finland. Thereafter, the alternative design scenarios have been assessed with four criteria related to multifunctionality (water quantity, water quality, amenity, and biodiversity). The results showed that multifunctionality could be analyzed in the design phase itself, and thus provided knowingly. However, assessing amenity and biodiversity values is more complex and in addition, we still lack proper methods. As the four criteria have mutual interconnections, multifunctionality should be considered during the landscape architectural design, or else we could likely lose some benefits related to multifunctionality. This reinforces emerging understanding that an interdisciplinary approach is needed to combine ecological comprehension together with the system thinking into SUDS design, locating them not as individual elements or as a part of the treatment train, but in connection with wider social ecological framework of urban landscape.

Though springs are the primary source of water for communities in the mid-hills of Nepal, an in-depth scientific understanding of spring systems is missing, preventing the design of effective climate-resilient interventions for long-term sustainability of springs. This study marks the first attempt to combine environmental isotopes analysis with hydrometric and hydrogeological measurements to identify dominant recharge zones for springs in two mountainous catchments—Banlek and Shikarpur—in Far-Western Nepal. In total, 422 water samples collected from rainfall, springs and streams between March 2016 and March 2017 were analyzed for their isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O and δD). Isotopic composition of rainwater shows seasonality, suggesting that different sources of water vapor cause rains in monsoon and in dry season. Rainfall responses of individual springs were used to identify connections to unconfined and deeper groundwater strata. The isotopic composition of springs in the two catchments ranges from −9.55 to −8.06‰ for δ¹⁸O and −67.58 to −53.51‰ for δD. The isotopic signature of the spring sources falls close to the local meteoric water line for the corresponding season, indicating strong rainfall contribution to springs. Altitudinal isotopic gradients suggest mean recharge elevation of 2,600–2,700 m asl for springs in Shikarpur, which lies beyond the surface-water catchment, and a recharge elevation of 1,000–1,100 m asl for Banlek, which partially extends beyond the surface-water catchment. The demarcated recharge zones will be used by government agencies to implement recharge interventions to increase the resiliency and reliability of springs in Far-Western Nepal. Bien que les sources constituent la principale source d’alimentation en eau pour les communautés situées au milieu des collines du Népal, il manque une compréhension scientifique approfondie du fonctionnement des sources, ce qui empêche de concevoir des interventions résilientes efficaces face au changement climatique, pour assurer la pérennité des sources. Cette étude marque la première tentative de combiner l’analyse des isotopes environnementaux et les mesures hydrométriques et hydrogéologiques pour identifier les zones de recharge dominantes des sources de deux bassins versants montagneux—Banlek et Shikarpur—dans l’Extrême-ouest du Népal. Au total, 422 échantillons d’eau prélevés dans les pluies, les sources et les cours d’eau entre mars 2016 et mars 2017 ont été analysés en fonction de leur composition isotopique (δ¹⁸O et δD). La composition isotopique de l’eau de pluie montre une saisonnalité, ce qui suggère que des sources différentes de vapeur d’eau provoquent les pluies en mousson et en saison sèche. Les réponses des sources individuelles aux épisodes pluvieux ont été utilisées pour identifier les connexions à des aquifères libres ou profonds. La composition isotopique des sources dans les deux bassins versants varie de –9.55 à –8.06‰ pour δ¹⁸O et –67.58 à –53.51‰ pour δD. La signature isotopique des sources des émergences est proche de la droite météorique locale pour la saison correspondante, ce qui indique une forte contribution des pluies aux sources. Les gradients isotopiques altitudinaux suggèrent une altitude moyenne de recharge comprise entre 2,600 et 2,700 m (au-dessus du niveau de la mer (anm)) pour les sources de Shikarpur, qui se trouvent au-delà du bassin versant des eaux de surface, et une altitude de recharge de 1,000–1,100 m (anm) pour Banlek, qui s’étend partiellement au-delà du bassin versant. Les zones de recharge délimitées seront utilisées par les agences gouvernementales pour mettre en œuvre des interventions de recharge afin d’accroître la résilience et la durabilité des sources dans l’Extrême-ouest du Népal. Aunque los manantiales son la principal fuente de agua para las comunidades de las serranías medias de Nepal, falta un conocimiento científico profundo de los sistemas de los manantiales, lo que impide el diseño de intervenciones eficaces y resilientes al clima para la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de los manantiales. Este estudio marca el primer intento de combinar el análisis de isótopos ambientales con mediciones hidrométricas e hidrogeológicas para identificar las zonas dominantes de recarga de manantiales en dos cuencas montañosas—Banlek y Shikarpur—en el extremo oeste de Nepal. Se analizaron un total de 422 muestras de agua recolectadas de lluvias, manantiales y arroyos entre marzo de 2016 y marzo de 2017 para determinar su composición isotópica (δ¹⁸O and δD). La composición isotópica del agua de lluvia muestra estacionalidad, lo que sugiere que diferentes fuentes de vapor de agua causan lluvias en el monzón y en la estación seca. Las respuestas de las precipitaciones en los manantiales individuales se utilizaron para identificar conexiones con estratos de agua subterránea no confinados y más profundos. La composición isotópica de los manantiales de las dos cuencas va de –9.55 a –8.06‰ para δ¹⁸O y de –67.58 a –53.51‰ para δD. La firma isotópica de las fuentes de manantiales cae cerca de la línea de agua meteórica local para la estación correspondiente, lo que indica una fuerte contribución de las lluvias a los manantiales. Los gradientes isotópicos altitudinales sugieren una elevación media de la recarga de 2,600–2,700 msnm para los manantiales de Shikarpur, que se encuentra más allá de la cuenca de aguas superficiales, y una elevación de recarga de 1,000–1,100 msnm para Banlek, que se extiende parcialmente más allá de la cuenca. Las zonas de recarga demarcadas serán utilizadas por los organismos gubernamentales para llevar a cabo intervenciones de recarga a fin de aumentar la confiabilidad y la resiliencia de los manantiales en Far-Western Nepal. 虽然泉水是尼泊尔中山地区社区的主要水源, 但缺乏泉水系统的深入科学认识, 也就无法设计出保证泉水利用的长期可持续性的有效的气候适应性应对措施。本研究首次尝试结合环境同位素分析与水文和水文地质测量来确定尼泊尔西部的两个山区流域(Banlek和Shikarpur)泉水主要补给区。在2016年3月至2017年3月期间从降雨、泉水和河流中共收集到422个水样, 分析了同位素组成(δ¹⁸O和δD)。雨水的同位素组成具有季节性特征, 表明不同的水汽来源会引起季风和旱季降雨。应用单个泉水的降雨响应来识别与潜水和更深层地下水的联系。两个流域的泉水同位素组成δ¹⁸O为–9.55至–8.06‰, δD为–67.58 –53.51‰。泉水来源的同位素特征与该季节的当地大气降水线相近, 表明降雨对泉水的贡献很大。同位素海拔梯度表明Shikarpur的泉水平均补给高度为2,600至2,700米, 这位于地表水流域以外; Banlek的补给高度为1,000至1,100米, 部分延伸到流域以外。政府机构将使用划定的补给区来制定补给应对措施, 以提高尼泊尔西部地区的泉水利用的适应性和可靠性。 Embora as nascentes sejam a principal fonte de água para as comunidades nas colinas do Nepal, está faltando uma compreensão científica aprofundada dos sistemas de nascentes, impedindo o planejamento de intervenções climatologicamente resiliêntes para a sustentabilidade de nascentes a longo prazo. Este estudo marca a primeira tentativa para combinar análise de isótopos ambientais com medições hidrométricas e hidrogeológicas para identificar as zonas de recarga dominantes em duas bacias montanhosas—Banlek e Shikarpur—no Extremo Oeste do Nepal. No total, 422 amostras de água de chuva, nascentes e rios coletadas entre março de 2016 e março de 2017 foram analisadas para determinar a composição isotópica (δ¹⁸O e δD). A composição isotópica da chuva mostrou sazonalidade, sugerindo que diferentes fontes de vapor causam chuvas nas monções e no período seco. Respostas da precipitação em nascentes individuais foram usada para identificar conexões entre camadas de água subterrânea não confinados e mais profundos. A composição isotópica das nascentes das duas bacias variou de –9.55 a –8.05‰ para δ¹⁸O e –67.58 a –53.51‰ para δD. As assinaturas isotópicas das fontes das nascentes apresentam-se perto da reta meteórica local para a estação correspondente, indicando forte contribuição da precipitação para as nascentes. Os gradientes isotópicos da altitude sugerem uma elevação média da recarga de 2,600–2,700 m para nascentes em Shikarpur, que fica além da bacia hidrográfica, e uma elevação de recarga de 1,000—1,100 m acima do nível do mar para Banlek, que se estende parcialmente além da bacia. As zonas de recarga demarcadas serão usadas por agências governamentais para implementar intervenções de recarga para aumentar a resiliência e a confiabilidade das nascentes no Extremo Oeste do Nepal.

Urbanization modifies the natural water cycle particularly by reducing the water storage capacity. We analysed the storage capacity of three stormwater management designs in south-western Finland to demonstrate how an urban catchment releases stormwater and how storage contributes to flood resilience. The analysis relies on EPA SWMM5.1 simulations of water balance for a seven-month period including two extreme rain events during the summer and autumn. The enhanced storage capacity provided by the designs increased resilience against flooding and released stormwater with slower rates leading to reduced peak flows. Even the design with the least storage (10% LID coverage) was efficient at regulating floods due to controlled flow in a vegetated swale, whereas the design with the highest storage capacity (60% LID coverage) demonstrated the possibility of restoring nearly natural water cycle in urban catchments. The study suggests storage capacity can act as a flood resilience indicator directly linked with the physical catchment characteristics.

Privately owned rangelands in the western US support many ecosystem services and are threatened by financial incentives favoring conversion to housing development and more intensive forms of agriculture. Recognizing this threat, the impact investment community has identified rangeland management as a potential investing strategy to produce financial returns while preserving or enhancing the ecosystem services provided by intact rangelands. This strategy is based primarily on the notion that a capital-intensive conversion from continuous to rotational grazing can financially sustain rangelands through a combination of increased productivity and potentially monetized ecosystem service flows. The potential for these gains is supported by compelling anecdotal evidence, yet a robust body of scientific literature based on rigorous field experiments has not supported those claims, nor produced transferrable estimates of the benefits provided by rotational grazing of livestock (particularly cattle in the western US). Therefore, to demonstrate investment viability and measure investment success, impact investors will likely need to address these well-documented disconnects through some combination of monitoring and process-based modeling. This study examines the extent to which existing modeling tools are up to this task, by assessing the ability of two process-based models to represent four specific rotational grazing benefits put forth by impact investors, using a ranch in northeastern Wyoming as a case study. Using the Soil Water Assessment Tool, we simulated high magnitude changes in the water balance from surface runoff to evapotranspiration, which may be a benefit or negative impact depending on context (Benefit 1). We simulated a decrease in soil water storage under rotational grazing, which directly contradicts the outcome assumed in investment literature (Benefit 2). Using the InVEST beta Rangeland Production Model (based on the Century ecosystem model), we simulated increased biomass productivity (Benefit 3) under rotational grazing, which enhanced animal performance under some management parameters but negatively impacted it in others (Benefit 4). We conclude that the impact investing community will likely find greater success through a shift to objective-oriented ranch management, rather than a specific focus on rotation, and will also need additional investment in science and monitoring to demonstrate benefits.