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A coupled regional and local model is required when groundwater flow and solute transport are to be simulated in local areas of interest with a finer grid while regional aquifer boundary and major stresses should be retained with a coarser grid. The coupled model should also maintain interactions between the regional and local flow systems. In the Beijing Plain (China), assessment of managed aquifer recharge (MAR), groundwater pollution caused by rivers, capture zone of well fields, and land subsidence at the cone of depression requires a coupled regional and local model. This study evaluates three methods for coupling regional and local flow models for simulating MAR in the Chaobai River catchment in the Beijing Plain. These methods are the conventional grid refinement (CGR) method, the local grid refinement (LGR) method and the unstructured grid (USG) method. The assessment included the comparison of the complexity of the coupled model construction, the goodness of fit of the computed and observed groundwater heads, the consistency of regional and local groundwater budgets, and the capture zone of a well filed influenced by the MAR site. The results indicated that the CGR method based on MODFLOW-2005 is the easiest to implement the coupled model, capable of reproducing regional and local groundwater heads and budget, and already coupled with density and viscosity dependent model codes for transport simulation. However, the CGR method inherits shortcomings of finite difference grids to create multiple local models with inefficient computing efforts. The USG method based on MODFLOW-USG has the advantage of creating multi-scale models and is flexible to simulate rivers, wells, irregular boundaries, heterogeneities and the MAR site. However, it is more difficult to construct the coupled models with the unstructured grids, therefore, a good graphic user interface is necessary for efficient model construction. The LGR method based on MODFLOW-LGR can be used to create multiple local models in uniform aquifer systems. So far, little effort has been devoted to upgrade the LGR method for complex aquifer structures and develop the coupled transport models.
Sida Liu; Yangxiao Zhou; Mingzhao Xie; Michael E. McCalin; Xu-Sheng Wang. Comparative Assessment of Methods for Coupling Regional and Local Groundwater Flow Models: A Case Study in the Beijing Plain, China. Water 2021, 13, 2229 .
AMA StyleSida Liu, Yangxiao Zhou, Mingzhao Xie, Michael E. McCalin, Xu-Sheng Wang. Comparative Assessment of Methods for Coupling Regional and Local Groundwater Flow Models: A Case Study in the Beijing Plain, China. Water. 2021; 13 (16):2229.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSida Liu; Yangxiao Zhou; Mingzhao Xie; Michael E. McCalin; Xu-Sheng Wang. 2021. "Comparative Assessment of Methods for Coupling Regional and Local Groundwater Flow Models: A Case Study in the Beijing Plain, China." Water 13, no. 16: 2229.
There is an increasing need globally to establish relationships among flow, ecology, and livelihoods to make informed decisions about environmental flows. This paper aimed to establish the ecological foundation for a holistic environmental flow assessment method in the Gumara River that flows into Lake Tana in Ethiopia and the Blue Nile River. First, the ecological conditions (fish, macro-invertebrate, riparian vegetation, and physicochemical) of the river system were characterized, followed by determining the hydrological condition and finally linking the ecological and hydrological components. The ecological data were collected at 30 sites along the Gumara River on March 2016 and 2020. River hydrology was estimated using the SWAT model and showed that the low flow decreased over time. Both physico-chemical and macroinvertebrate scores showed that water quality was moderate in most locations. The highest fish diversity index was in the lower reach at Wanzaye. Macroinvertebrate diversity was observed to decrease downstream. Both the fish and macroinvertebrate diversity indices were less than the expected maximum, being 3.29 and 4.5, respectively. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for 30 m and 60 m buffer distances from the river decreased during the dry season (March–May). Hence, flow conditions, water quality, and land-use change substantially influenced the abundance and diversity of fish, vegetation, and macroinvertebrate species. The pressure on the ecology is expected to increase because the construction of the proposed dam is expected to alter the flow regime. Thus, as demand for human water consumption grows, measures are needed, including quantification of environmental flow requirements and regulating river water uses to conserve the ecological status of the Gumara River and Lake Tana sub-basin.
Wubneh Abebe; Seifu Tilahun; Michael Moges; Ayalew Wondie; Minychl Dersseh; Workiye Assefa; Demesew Mhiret; Anwar Adem; Fasikaw Zimale; Wuletawu Abera; Tammo Steenhuis; Michael McClain. Ecological Status as the Basis for the Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of a Tropical Highland River in Ethiopia. Water 2021, 13, 1913 .
AMA StyleWubneh Abebe, Seifu Tilahun, Michael Moges, Ayalew Wondie, Minychl Dersseh, Workiye Assefa, Demesew Mhiret, Anwar Adem, Fasikaw Zimale, Wuletawu Abera, Tammo Steenhuis, Michael McClain. Ecological Status as the Basis for the Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of a Tropical Highland River in Ethiopia. Water. 2021; 13 (14):1913.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWubneh Abebe; Seifu Tilahun; Michael Moges; Ayalew Wondie; Minychl Dersseh; Workiye Assefa; Demesew Mhiret; Anwar Adem; Fasikaw Zimale; Wuletawu Abera; Tammo Steenhuis; Michael McClain. 2021. "Ecological Status as the Basis for the Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of a Tropical Highland River in Ethiopia." Water 13, no. 14: 1913.
Three alternative groundwater flow models were evaluated for Beijing Plain, China. The first model (AM1) was constructed with the “thin layer approach” in which all 9 model layers, including five aquifers separated by four aquitards, are continuously present in the same model area. The second model (AM2) was constructed with the “quasi-3D approach” in which the hydrogeological formations were classified into five aquifer units consisting of mixed permeable and semi-permeable layers at different depth ranges. The third model (AM3) was constructed with the “true layer approach” in which aquifers and aquitards were defined according to hydrostratigraphic properties, and model layers are absent in the area where corresponding hydrogeological formations intersect bedrocks. All 3 models were calibrated with the parameter optimization method under the steady state flow condition with the same hydrological stresses and observation data. All three models fit to observations well with the similar calibration criteria values. Furthermore, AIC and BIC information criteria could not distinguish three alternative models. Only KIC could identify AM3 as the best model. Major differences of the three alternative models were identified from a hydrogeological perspective. The AM1 model depicted an illusion through contour maps that groundwater was present everywhere in the deep aquifers. The model computed larger vertical leakages because more abstraction rates were assigned improperly in deep aquifers. The AM2 model was able to compute regional groundwater balances and depicted spatial groundwater level variations. However, the AM2 model computed longer groundwater travel times around the wellfield and should not be used for the delineation of the well field protection zones and contaminant transport simulation. The AM3 model could not only compute the regional groundwater balances and describe spatial groundwater distribution in deep confined aquifers, but also delineate the capture zone of the wellfield. It can therefore be used for simulating contaminant transport. Furthermore, the AM3 model is suitable to construct a coupled regional and local flow model for simulating a managed aquifer recharge scheme.
Sida Liu; Yangxiao Zhou; Chuan Tang; Michael McClain; Xu-Sheng Wang. Assessment of alternative groundwater flow models for Beijing Plain, China. Journal of Hydrology 2021, 596, 126065 .
AMA StyleSida Liu, Yangxiao Zhou, Chuan Tang, Michael McClain, Xu-Sheng Wang. Assessment of alternative groundwater flow models for Beijing Plain, China. Journal of Hydrology. 2021; 596 ():126065.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSida Liu; Yangxiao Zhou; Chuan Tang; Michael McClain; Xu-Sheng Wang. 2021. "Assessment of alternative groundwater flow models for Beijing Plain, China." Journal of Hydrology 596, no. : 126065.
The rapid economic development of river basins depends on the excessive use of water resources. China experienced a rapid development of hydropower projects in the last two decades and thus faces many ecological and environmental issues, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. Environmental flow is an important management tool that requires attention in the environmental impact assessment of hydropower projects. Environmental flows are of great significance for maintaining river structures and protecting the health of both aquatic ecosystems and human sustainable livelihoods. Although the government authorities have done much work in this area and attempted to consider technical requirements to address the negative externalities of hydropower projects, there are still defects in the basic procedures, calculation methods, and ultimately implementation process from policy to operationalization in terms of environmental flows. The official standards for environmental flows assessment mainly appear in two documents: 1. specification for calculation of environmental flow in rivers and lakes; and 2. code for calculation ecological flow of hydropower projects. This paper reviewed the overarching framework of the two documents and then summarized their fitness in terms of environmental flows implementation in hydropower projects. The research status of environmental flows and future directions for China were also proposed in this paper.
Miao Wu; Ang Chen; Xingnan Zhang; Michael E. McClain. A Comment on Chinese Policies to Avoid Negative Impacts on River Ecosystems by Hydropower Projects. Water 2020, 12, 869 .
AMA StyleMiao Wu, Ang Chen, Xingnan Zhang, Michael E. McClain. A Comment on Chinese Policies to Avoid Negative Impacts on River Ecosystems by Hydropower Projects. Water. 2020; 12 (3):869.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMiao Wu; Ang Chen; Xingnan Zhang; Michael E. McClain. 2020. "A Comment on Chinese Policies to Avoid Negative Impacts on River Ecosystems by Hydropower Projects." Water 12, no. 3: 869.
The sustainable development of water resources includes retaining some amount of the natural flow regime in water bodies to protect and maintain aquatic ecosystem health and the human livelihoods and wellbeing dependent upon them. Although assessment of environmental flows is now occurring globally, limited studies have been carried out in the Ethiopian highlands, especially studies to understand flow-ecological response relationships. This paper establishes a hydrological foundation of Gumara River from an ecological perspective. The data analysis followed three steps: first, determination of the current flow regime—flow indices and ecologically relevant flow regime; second, naturalization of the current flow regime—looking at how flow regime is changing; and, finally, an initial exploration of flow linkages with ecological processes. Flow data of Gumara River from 1973 to 2018 are used for the analysis. Monthly low flow occurred from December to June; the lowest being in March, with a median flow of 4.0 m3 s−1. Monthly high flow occurred from July to November; the highest being in August, with a median flow of 236 m3 s−1. 1-Day low flows decreased from 1.55 m3 s−1 in 1973 to 0.16 m3 s−1 in 2018, and 90-Day (seasonal) low flow decreased from 4.9 m3 s−1 in 1973 to 2.04 m3 s−1 in 2018. The Mann–Kendall trend test indicated that the decrease in low flow was significant for both durations at α = 0.05. A similar trend is indicated for both durations of high flow. The decrease in both low flows and high flows is attributed to the expansion of pump irrigation by 29 km2 and expansion of plantations, which resulted in an increase of NDVI from 0.25 in 2000 to 0.29 in 2019. In addition, an analysis of environmental flow components revealed that only four “large floods” appeared in the last 46 years; no “large flood” occurred after 1988. Lacking “large floods” which inundate floodplain wetlands has resulted in early disconnection of floodplain wetlands from the river and the lake; which has impacts on breeding and nursery habitat shrinkage for migratory fish species in Lake Tana. On the other hand, the extreme decrease in “low flow” components has impacts on predators, reducing their mobility and ability to access prey concentrated in smaller pools. These results serve as the hydrological foundation for continued studies in the Gumara catchment, with the eventual goal of quantifying environmental flow requirements.
Wubneh B. Abebe; Seifu A. Tilahun; Michael M. Moges; Ayalew Wondie; Minychl G. Derseh; Teshager A. Nigatu; Demesew A. Mhiret; Tammo S. Steenhuis; Marc Van Camp; Kristine Walraevens; Michael E. McClain. Hydrological Foundation as a Basis for a Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of Tropical Highland Rivers in Ethiopia. Water 2020, 12, 547 .
AMA StyleWubneh B. Abebe, Seifu A. Tilahun, Michael M. Moges, Ayalew Wondie, Minychl G. Derseh, Teshager A. Nigatu, Demesew A. Mhiret, Tammo S. Steenhuis, Marc Van Camp, Kristine Walraevens, Michael E. McClain. Hydrological Foundation as a Basis for a Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of Tropical Highland Rivers in Ethiopia. Water. 2020; 12 (2):547.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWubneh B. Abebe; Seifu A. Tilahun; Michael M. Moges; Ayalew Wondie; Minychl G. Derseh; Teshager A. Nigatu; Demesew A. Mhiret; Tammo S. Steenhuis; Marc Van Camp; Kristine Walraevens; Michael E. McClain. 2020. "Hydrological Foundation as a Basis for a Holistic Environmental Flow Assessment of Tropical Highland Rivers in Ethiopia." Water 12, no. 2: 547.
River ecosystems worldwide are affected by altered flow regimes, and an advanced science and practice of environmental flows has developed to understand and reduce these impacts. But most environmental flows approaches ignore flow intermittency, which is a natural feature of 30% of the global river network length. Ignoring flow intermittency when setting environmental flows in naturally intermittent rivers might lead to deleterious ecological effects. We review evidence of the ecological effects of flow intermittency and provide guidance to incorporate intermittency (non‐flow events) into existing methods judged as suitable for application in temporary waterways. To better integrate non‐flow events into hydrological methods, we propose a suite of new indicators to be used in the Range of Variability Approach. These indicators reflect dry periods and the unpredictable nature of temporary waterways. We develop a predictability index for protecting those species adapted to temporary conditions. For hydraulic habitat models, we find that mesohabitat methods are particularly effective for describing complex habitat dynamics during dry phases. We present an example of the European eel to show the relationship between discharge and non‐flow days and wet area, habitat suitability, and connectivity. We find that existing holistic approaches may be applied to temporary waterways without significant structural alteration to their stepwise frameworks, but new component methods are needed to address flow‐related aspects across both flow and non‐flow periods of the flow regime. Synthesis and applications. Setting environmental flow requirements for temporary waterways requires modification and enhancement of existing approaches and methodologies, most notably the explicit consideration of non‐flow events and greater integration of specific geomorphic, hydrogeologic, and hydraulic elements. Temporary waterways are among the freshwater ecosystems most vulnerable to alterations in flow regimes, and they are also under great pressure. The methodological modifications recommended in this paper will aid water managers in protecting key components of temporary flow regimes, thereby preserving their unique ecology and associated services.
Vicenç Acuña; Dídac Jorda‐Capdevila; Paolo Vezza; Anna Maria De Girolamo; Michael E. McClain; Rachel Stubbington; Amandine V. Pastor; Nicolas Lamouroux; D. Von Schiller; Antoni Munné; Thibault Datry. Accounting for flow intermittency in environmental flows design. Journal of Applied Ecology 2020, 57, 742 -753.
AMA StyleVicenç Acuña, Dídac Jorda‐Capdevila, Paolo Vezza, Anna Maria De Girolamo, Michael E. McClain, Rachel Stubbington, Amandine V. Pastor, Nicolas Lamouroux, D. Von Schiller, Antoni Munné, Thibault Datry. Accounting for flow intermittency in environmental flows design. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2020; 57 (4):742-753.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVicenç Acuña; Dídac Jorda‐Capdevila; Paolo Vezza; Anna Maria De Girolamo; Michael E. McClain; Rachel Stubbington; Amandine V. Pastor; Nicolas Lamouroux; D. Von Schiller; Antoni Munné; Thibault Datry. 2020. "Accounting for flow intermittency in environmental flows design." Journal of Applied Ecology 57, no. 4: 742-753.
The implementation of environmental flows is of the utmost importance for ecosystem protection and restoration in dammed rivers. A key challenge in optimizing dam regulation is the uncertainty of the ecohydrology relationship between flow release and ecological response. In the present paper, we develop a framework of dam classification to organize the categories of the ecohydrology relationship for implementing environmental flows. Dams are classified from three major categories that differ in dam properties, hydrological alteration, and downstream hydrobiological diversities based on the relationship of hydrology and ecology. Finally, 773 dams in China are screened and ranked into four classes involving a great diversity of environmental flow components. A classification of dams that utilizes the implementation of environmental flows is presented. (1) Class 1 includes dams with rare and endangered fish species in the downstream. It is the category with the highest priority for environmental flow releases and regulation, requiring continuous flow and flood pulse components for fish spawning and migration. (2) Class 2 includes dams with significant hydrological alteration in the downstream. It is the category with second priority for environmental flow releases and regulation, requiring natural hydrological regimes simulation or complete flow component recovery for optimizing the flow duration curve and mitigating adverse impacts of dam operation. (3) Class 3 includes dams with a high degree of regulation where there is urgency for environmental flow releases and regulation, requiring that minimum flow is guaranteed by cascade reservoir regulation. (4) Class 4 includes dams with a low degree of regulation where there is less urgency for environmental flow releases and regulation. This classification method is important for future research, including environmental flow release regulation and the effectiveness evaluation of environmental flow adaptive management. It will be useful for guiding the implementation of environmental flows.
Ang Chen; Miao Wu; Michael E. McClain. Classifying Dams for Environmental Flow Implementation in China. Sustainability 2019, 12, 107 .
AMA StyleAng Chen, Miao Wu, Michael E. McClain. Classifying Dams for Environmental Flow Implementation in China. Sustainability. 2019; 12 (1):107.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAng Chen; Miao Wu; Michael E. McClain. 2019. "Classifying Dams for Environmental Flow Implementation in China." Sustainability 12, no. 1: 107.
Knowledge of trophic structure is important to understand sources and pathways of energy resources in community ecology and to identify determinants of ecosystem changes. Yet, little is known from rivers of African savanna receiving large inputs of terrestrial organic matter and nutrients by large mammalian herbivores. We used Stable Isotope (δ13C and δ15N) Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) and Layman's community‐wide metrics to describe seasonal variation in trophic niches and trophic structures in midorder river reaches in the Mara River (Kenya) that differed in environmental conditions (agricultural vs. forested) and amounts of organic matter and nutrients (low vs. high inputs by livestock and hippopotami, Hippopotamus amphibius). These analyses were supplemented with data on the trophic diversity of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) and fish trophic guilds. The δ13C and δ15N of basal resources and consumers differed between sites and changed with seasons. Sites in agricultural areas that were utilised by livestock and a site with hippopotami had higher δ13C than the forested site due to the presence of C4 carbon from egestion and excretion by the grazers. The forested site recorded the most taxon‐rich and trophic‐diverse invertebrate community, suggesting both autochthonous and allochthonous sources of energy were available. Agricultural sites and the site with hippopotami recorded high abundances of collector taxa in response to large inputs of organic matter. Fish trophic guilds were less diverse and were dominated by insectivores. The food web at the forested site had the widest trophic niche size and highest isotopic trophic diversity compared to sites in areas with large mammalian herbivores. Invertebrate and fish trophic niche sizes changed according to food resources varying with space and time. Invertebrates had higher δ13C values during the dry season. In contrast, fish showed higher δ13C values during the wet season, and trophic niche sizes were constricted and considerably overlapping, suggesting feeding on a narrow range of food sources with high trophic redundancy. This study showed that increased terrestrial organic matter by large mammalian herbivores affected trophic diversity and niche sizes for aquatic consumers in rivers draining the African savanna. Linking the density of terrestrial large mammalian herbivores to aquatic ecosystem structure and function could help manage their populations sustainably.
Frank O. Masese; Katya Abrantes; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Steven Bouillon; Michael E. McClain. Trophic structure of an African savanna river and organic matter inputs by large terrestrial herbivores: A stable isotope approach. Freshwater Biology 2018, 63, 1365 -1380.
AMA StyleFrank O. Masese, Katya Abrantes, Gretchen M. Gettel, Kenneth Irvine, Steven Bouillon, Michael E. McClain. Trophic structure of an African savanna river and organic matter inputs by large terrestrial herbivores: A stable isotope approach. Freshwater Biology. 2018; 63 (11):1365-1380.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrank O. Masese; Katya Abrantes; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Steven Bouillon; Michael E. McClain. 2018. "Trophic structure of an African savanna river and organic matter inputs by large terrestrial herbivores: A stable isotope approach." Freshwater Biology 63, no. 11: 1365-1380.
The meandering Ribb River flows in northwest Ethiopia to Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile River. The river has already undergone changes due to several human interventions, such as embanking, sand mining, water extraction and lake level regulation for hydropower. At present, a dam and a weir are under construction to store and divert water for irrigation. This will strongly alter both water and sediment discharges to the downstream river reaches, causing adjustments to the morphology. Assessing the current morphodynamic trends is the first necessary step to study the future effects and find ways to mitigate them. This paper presents an analysis of the current and past river based on newly collected data, aerial photographs, SPOT and Google Earth images. The riverbed changes are derived from historical staff gauge height analysis. The effects of sediment mining and water extraction are assessed using the theory of morphodynamic equilibrium. The findings of the analysis show a reduction of sediment transport capacity in the downstream direction, which has resulted in intense sediment deposition, resulting in blockage of the Lower River reach and subsequent channel avulsion. The effects of Lake Tana level regulation on the observed processes appear to be minor.
Chalachew A. Mulatu; Alessandra Crosato; Michael M. Moges; Eddy J. Langendoen; Michael McClain. Morphodynamic Trends of the Ribb River, Ethiopia, Prior to Dam Construction. Geosciences 2018, 8, 255 .
AMA StyleChalachew A. Mulatu, Alessandra Crosato, Michael M. Moges, Eddy J. Langendoen, Michael McClain. Morphodynamic Trends of the Ribb River, Ethiopia, Prior to Dam Construction. Geosciences. 2018; 8 (7):255.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChalachew A. Mulatu; Alessandra Crosato; Michael M. Moges; Eddy J. Langendoen; Michael McClain. 2018. "Morphodynamic Trends of the Ribb River, Ethiopia, Prior to Dam Construction." Geosciences 8, no. 7: 255.
Maciej Zalewski; Michael McClain; Saeid Eslamian. Ecohydrology – the background for the integrative sustainability science. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 2016, 16, 71 -73.
AMA StyleMaciej Zalewski, Michael McClain, Saeid Eslamian. Ecohydrology – the background for the integrative sustainability science. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology. 2016; 16 (2):71-73.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaciej Zalewski; Michael McClain; Saeid Eslamian. 2016. "Ecohydrology – the background for the integrative sustainability science." Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 16, no. 2: 71-73.
The tropical savannas of Africa have witnessed a dramatic reduction in native large mammalian herbivore populations. The consequences of these changes for terrestrial-aquatic food-web linkages are poorly documented. We used natural abundances of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δC, δN) to determine spatial and temporal patterns in the importance of herbivore-mediated subsidies for consumers in the Mara River, Kenya. Potential primary producers (terrestrial C3 and C4 producers and periphyton) and consumers (invertebrates and fish) were collected during dry and wet seasons from different sites along the river, representing a gradient from forested highlands to natural savanna grasslands with high herbivore densities across mixed agricultural and livestock-dominated zones. Bayesian mixing models were used to estimate the relative contributions of terrestrial and algal sources of organic carbon supporting consumer trophic groups. Organic carbon sources differed for consumer groups and sites and with season. Overall, periphyton was the major energy source for most consumer groups during the dry season, but with wide 95% confidence intervals. During the wet season, the importance of terrestrial-derived carbon for consumers increased. The importance of C3 producers declined from 40 and 41% at the forested upper reaches to 20 and 8% at river reaches receiving hippo inputs during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The reciprocal increase in the importance of C4 producers was higher than expected based on areal cover of riparian vegetation that was mainly C3. The importance of C4 producers notably increased from 18 and 10% at the forested upper reaches to 33 and 58% at river reaches receiving hippo inputs during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. This study highlights the importance of large herbivores to the functioning of riverine ecosystems and the potential implications of their loss from savanna landscapes that currently harbor remnant populations. Although the importance of C4 terrestrial carbon in most river systems has been reported to be negligible, this study shows that its importance can be mediated by large herbivores as vectors, which enhance energetic terrestrial-aquatic linkages in rivers in savanna landscapes.
Frank O. Masese; Kátya G. Abrantes; Gretchen M. Gettel; Steven Bouillon; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. Are Large Herbivores Vectors of Terrestrial Subsidies for Riverine Food Webs? Ecosystems 2015, 18, 686 -706.
AMA StyleFrank O. Masese, Kátya G. Abrantes, Gretchen M. Gettel, Steven Bouillon, Kenneth Irvine, Michael E. McClain. Are Large Herbivores Vectors of Terrestrial Subsidies for Riverine Food Webs? Ecosystems. 2015; 18 (4):686-706.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrank O. Masese; Kátya G. Abrantes; Gretchen M. Gettel; Steven Bouillon; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. 2015. "Are Large Herbivores Vectors of Terrestrial Subsidies for Riverine Food Webs?" Ecosystems 18, no. 4: 686-706.
A major component of environmental sustainability in water resource development is the explicit allocation of water to meet ecosystem needs. This environmental water allocation is commonly referred to as an environmental flow, which is the main subject of this chapter. A shift towards more consideration of water needs of ecosystems/environment in Central and South America has been more irregular, with some countries increasingly articulating and prioritizing these needs (e.g., Costa Rica and Colombia) and others not. The situation is similar in Africa, where ambitious new water policies with substantial attention to environmental protection have appeared in Eastern and Southern Africa (McClain et al., Int J Water Resour Dev 29(4):650–665, 2013) and Asia, where China stands out as a globally important country undergoing rapid change in its outlook towards environmental flows (Wang et al., Ecol Appl 21:163–174, 2009). In this chapter, we explore the status of environmental flow science and practice around the world, focusing on the gap that exists between environmental flow levels suggested by aquatic scientists and those actually protected in water regulations. With a wealth of science and different technologies to make use of, some of the most difficult challenges in applying best environmental flow practices lie in the governance processes and equitable allocation among water users and the environment. This brings us back to the promise of IWRM itself as a process to facilitate integration of these factors in a highly participatory fashion. In this chapter, we have endeavored to summarize the promise and highlight the current challenges of environmental flow assessment and implementation to enable the protection of ecosystems in the process of IWRM.
Michael E. McClain; Elizabeth P. Anderson. The Gap Between Best Practice and Actual Practice in the Allocation of Environmental Flows in Integrated Water Resources Management. Sustainability of Integrated Water Resources Management 2015, 103 -120.
AMA StyleMichael E. McClain, Elizabeth P. Anderson. The Gap Between Best Practice and Actual Practice in the Allocation of Environmental Flows in Integrated Water Resources Management. Sustainability of Integrated Water Resources Management. 2015; ():103-120.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael E. McClain; Elizabeth P. Anderson. 2015. "The Gap Between Best Practice and Actual Practice in the Allocation of Environmental Flows in Integrated Water Resources Management." Sustainability of Integrated Water Resources Management , no. : 103-120.
Frank O. Masese; Nzula Kitaka; Julius Kipkemboi; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. Litter processing and shredder distribution as indicators of riparian and catchment influences on ecological health of tropical streams. Ecological Indicators 2014, 46, 23 -37.
AMA StyleFrank O. Masese, Nzula Kitaka, Julius Kipkemboi, Gretchen M. Gettel, Kenneth Irvine, Michael E. McClain. Litter processing and shredder distribution as indicators of riparian and catchment influences on ecological health of tropical streams. Ecological Indicators. 2014; 46 ():23-37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrank O. Masese; Nzula Kitaka; Julius Kipkemboi; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. 2014. "Litter processing and shredder distribution as indicators of riparian and catchment influences on ecological health of tropical streams." Ecological Indicators 46, no. : 23-37.
Frank O. Masese; Nzula Kitaka; Julius Kipkemboi; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. Macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in Kenyan highland streams: evidence for a diverse shredder guild. Freshwater Science 2014, 33, 435 -450.
AMA StyleFrank O. Masese, Nzula Kitaka, Julius Kipkemboi, Gretchen M. Gettel, Kenneth Irvine, Michael E. McClain. Macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in Kenyan highland streams: evidence for a diverse shredder guild. Freshwater Science. 2014; 33 (2):435-450.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrank O. Masese; Nzula Kitaka; Julius Kipkemboi; Gretchen M. Gettel; Kenneth Irvine; Michael E. McClain. 2014. "Macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in Kenyan highland streams: evidence for a diverse shredder guild." Freshwater Science 33, no. 2: 435-450.
Shimelis Dessu; Assefa Melesse; Mahadev G. Bhat; Michael E. McClain. Assessment of water resources availability and demand in the Mara River Basin. CATENA 2014, 115, 104 -114.
AMA StyleShimelis Dessu, Assefa Melesse, Mahadev G. Bhat, Michael E. McClain. Assessment of water resources availability and demand in the Mara River Basin. CATENA. 2014; 115 ():104-114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShimelis Dessu; Assefa Melesse; Mahadev G. Bhat; Michael E. McClain. 2014. "Assessment of water resources availability and demand in the Mara River Basin." CATENA 115, no. : 104-114.
Understanding the landowners’ willingness and attitude toward best management practices is a key step toward implementing payment for watershed services (PWS) schemes. This chapter presents the results of a field research that was conducted in the Mara River basin (MRB) focusing on the demographic, economic, and environmental factors that might influence farmers’ willingness to implement water conservation practices. The influencing factors were assessed by applying descriptive statistics and a logit regression model. The data were collected via a household survey of more than 700 farming families in the basin. The results indicated high levels of farmers’ willingness to implement water conservation practices except for cutting down on water extraction. Cost compensation would be necessary to promote implementation of such practice. The farm size consistently had a positive effect on conservation practice implementation. We recommend that the PWS managers in the MRB target larger farmers first in implementing the schemes and fully compensate small farmers for the same. In general, farmers in Tanzania had a slightly higher degree of willingness to implement water conservation practices on public lands. This higher level of participation could be directly attributed to the nature of agriculture, water uses, and public landownership. Animal husbandry is a more prominent activity in Tanzania, and, therefore, its farmers appear to depend on rivers and streams for their animals more frequently than other countries.This usage motivates them to participate in public land conservation measures, an encouraging motive that the PWS agencies may want to consider while planning.
Koji Hashimoto; Mahadev G. Bhat; Michael McClain; Doris Ombara; William Kasanga. Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part II: An Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Willingness to Implement Conservation Practices. Nile River Basin 2014, 667 -683.
AMA StyleKoji Hashimoto, Mahadev G. Bhat, Michael McClain, Doris Ombara, William Kasanga. Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part II: An Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Willingness to Implement Conservation Practices. Nile River Basin. 2014; ():667-683.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKoji Hashimoto; Mahadev G. Bhat; Michael McClain; Doris Ombara; William Kasanga. 2014. "Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part II: An Analysis of Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Willingness to Implement Conservation Practices." Nile River Basin , no. : 667-683.
This chapter develops a concise, but comprehensive, plan for designing and developing a payment for watershed services (PWSs) mechanism in the Mara River basin (MRB), Kenya. It will describe the current water situation in the Mara and future trends. It will make the “case” for improved land management practices and more efficient water use in the headwaters of the catchment (Nyangores and Amala sub-catchments), and it will introduce PWS as an effective mechanism to facilitate and support improved water research and management. There is a growing sense of optimism among stakeholders in the Kenyan and Tanzanian sides of MRB. National water resources management legislations in both countries have enabled the formation of water users associations (WUAs). Legislative provisions for introducing PWS have been made. Various government agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and academic institutions have been conducting extensive studies to estimate a minimum environmental flow regime for the river. Efforts to educate resource users through WUAs are also being made. There is definitely no consensus among user groups as to who should be the lead agency for implementing intracountry or intercountry payment schemes as of yet. However, if the above-mentioned governmental and nongovernmental efforts continue, the prospect of PWS implementation in MRB in the future is promising.
Mahadev G. Bhat; Michael McClain; Doris Ombara; William Kasanga; George Atisa. Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part I: Institutions and Stakeholder Engagement. Nile River Basin 2014, 639 -665.
AMA StyleMahadev G. Bhat, Michael McClain, Doris Ombara, William Kasanga, George Atisa. Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part I: Institutions and Stakeholder Engagement. Nile River Basin. 2014; ():639-665.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMahadev G. Bhat; Michael McClain; Doris Ombara; William Kasanga; George Atisa. 2014. "Payment for Watershed Services in the Mara River Basin: Part I: Institutions and Stakeholder Engagement." Nile River Basin , no. : 639-665.
Africa has set ambitious targets for development of water resources over the coming decades. Africa Water Vision 2025 calls for a doubling of irrigated agriculture and a five-fold increase in water use for agriculture, industry, and hydropower. The ambitious development targets are framed in the context of integrated water resources management, which also seeks to simultaneously allocate sufficient water for environmental sustainability. Over the past two decades scientists have devised a number of practical and robust approaches to determine environmental water requirements in rivers and wetlands based on the objectives set in water planning. We review the most widely applied approaches to assess environmental flow requirements and consider their application in Africa through case studies in the transboundary Mara River basin of Kenya and Tanzania and the Great Ruaha River basin in Tanzania.
Michael E. McClain; Japhet J. Kashaigili; Preksedis Ndomba. Environmental flow assessment as a tool for achieving environmental objectives of African water policy, with examples from East Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development 2013, 29, 650 -665.
AMA StyleMichael E. McClain, Japhet J. Kashaigili, Preksedis Ndomba. Environmental flow assessment as a tool for achieving environmental objectives of African water policy, with examples from East Africa. International Journal of Water Resources Development. 2013; 29 (4):650-665.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael E. McClain; Japhet J. Kashaigili; Preksedis Ndomba. 2013. "Environmental flow assessment as a tool for achieving environmental objectives of African water policy, with examples from East Africa." International Journal of Water Resources Development 29, no. 4: 650-665.
Michael E. McClain; Amanda L. Subalusky. Surface Flows for People and Wildlife in the Transboundary Mara River Basin. Developments in Earth Surface Processes 2013, 16, 67 -81.
AMA StyleMichael E. McClain, Amanda L. Subalusky. Surface Flows for People and Wildlife in the Transboundary Mara River Basin. Developments in Earth Surface Processes. 2013; 16 ():67-81.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael E. McClain; Amanda L. Subalusky. 2013. "Surface Flows for People and Wildlife in the Transboundary Mara River Basin." Developments in Earth Surface Processes 16, no. : 67-81.
Michael E. McClain; Paul J. Dubowy; Maciej Zalewski. Ecohydrology for harmonization of societal needs with the biosphere potential. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 2013, 13, 3 -5.
AMA StyleMichael E. McClain, Paul J. Dubowy, Maciej Zalewski. Ecohydrology for harmonization of societal needs with the biosphere potential. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology. 2013; 13 (1):3-5.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael E. McClain; Paul J. Dubowy; Maciej Zalewski. 2013. "Ecohydrology for harmonization of societal needs with the biosphere potential." Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology 13, no. 1: 3-5.