IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/waterr/v27y2013i11p4069-4082.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Optimal Ecological Management Practices (EMPs) for Minimizing the Impact of Climate Change and Watershed Degradation Due to Urbanization

Author

Listed:
  • B. Sarma
  • A. Sarma
  • V. Singh

Abstract

Massive deforestation induced by unplanned urbanization in the hilly watersheds of Brahmaputra basin, India, has led to ecological imbalance and is gradually transforming this basin into a multi-hazard zone. Removal of green cover is also becoming a matter of global concern, as it can accelerate the adverse impacts of climate change. People coming in search of work generally reside in the hills, as they cannot afford the high cost of land in plains. This has led to deforestation of the hilly area and has resulted in increased surface erosion from the upper catchments. Though sediment and water yield from these degraded watersheds could have been minimized by implementing ecologically sustainable management practices (EMPs), such as grass land, forest land and detention pond, poor economic conditions of the people stands in the way of field implementation. On the other hand, major industries, which can be held responsible for emission of greenhouse gases, can be asked to finance greenery development in these hilly watersheds through implementation of selected EMPs to earn carbon credit for them. To convert this concept into reality, the EMP combination must be selected in such a way that it restricts sediment and water yield from the watershed within the permissible limit and maximizes its carbon sequestration capacity at minimum possible cost. Such optimal planning is a prerequisite for preparing an acceptable logical agreement between Government and private companies. Keeping this in mind, an optimization model was developed and applied to a micro watershed of Guwahati to explore its applicability in actual field. The model developed in this study provides most logical carbon credit negotiation, subject to the availability of reliable value of CO 2 sequestration for different EMPs. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • B. Sarma & A. Sarma & V. Singh, 2013. "Optimal Ecological Management Practices (EMPs) for Minimizing the Impact of Climate Change and Watershed Degradation Due to Urbanization," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(11), pages 4069-4082, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:27:y:2013:i:11:p:4069-4082
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-013-0396-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1007/s11269-013-0396-y
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11269-013-0396-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chao Bao & Chuang-lin Fang, 2012. "Water Resources Flows Related to Urbanization in China: Challenges and Perspectives for Water Management and Urban Development," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(2), pages 531-552, January.
    2. Pierre Mukheibir, 2008. "Water Resources Management Strategies for Adaptation to Climate-Induced Impacts in South Africa," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 22(9), pages 1259-1276, September.
    3. Mohamed Ibrahim, 2009. "Rainwater Harvesting for Urban Areas: a Success Story from Gadarif City in Central Sudan," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 23(13), pages 2727-2736, October.
    4. De Jong, Ben H. J. & Tipper, Richard & Montoya-Gomez, Guillermo, 2000. "An economic analysis of the potential for carbon sequestration by forests: evidence from southern Mexico," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 313-327, May.
    5. Michael Short & William Peirson & Gregory Peters & Ronald Cox, 2012. "Managing Adaptation of Urban Water Systems in a Changing Climate," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(7), pages 1953-1981, May.
    6. Gabriel, Steven A. & Faria, Jose A. & Moglen, Glenn E., 2006. "A multiobjective optimization approach to smart growth in land development," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 212-248, September.
    7. Lasco, Rodel D & Lales, Joveno S & Arnuevo, Ma.Theresa & Guillermo, Ina Q & de Jesus, Agnes C & Medrano, Reinero & Bajar, Orlando F & Mendoza, Cirilo V, 2002. "Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage and sequestration of land cover in the Leyte Geothermal Reservation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 307-315.
    8. Prakash Kaini & Kim Artita & John Nicklow, 2012. "Optimizing Structural Best Management Practices Using SWAT and Genetic Algorithm to Improve Water Quality Goals," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(7), pages 1827-1845, May.
    9. Anil Misra, 2011. "Impact of Urbanization on the Hydrology of Ganga Basin (India)," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(2), pages 705-719, January.
    10. Yan Han & Yue-Fei Huang & Guang-Qian Wang & Imran Maqsood, 2011. "A Multi-objective Linear Programming Model with Interval Parameters for Water Resources Allocation in Dalian City," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(2), pages 449-463, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sagarika Patowary & Banasri Sarma & Arup Kumar Sarma, 2019. "A Revision of OPTEMP-LS Model for Selecting Optimal EMP Combination for Minimizing Sediment and Water Yield from Hilly Urban Watersheds," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(4), pages 1249-1264, March.
    2. Tewodros Assefa Nigussie & Abdusselam Altunkaynak, 2016. "Assessing the Hydrological Response of Ayamama Watershed from Urbanization Predicted under Various Landuse Policy Scenarios," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(10), pages 3427-3441, August.
    3. Sagarika Patowary & Arup Kumar Sarma, 2018. "GIS-Based Estimation of Soil Loss from Hilly Urban Area Incorporating Hill Cut Factor into RUSLE," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(10), pages 3535-3547, August.
    4. Sagarika Patowary & Arup Kumar Sarma, 2020. "Projection of urban settlement in eco-sensitive hilly areas and its impact on peak runoff," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(6), pages 5833-5848, August.
    5. N. Colombani & A. Osti & G. Volta & M. Mastrocicco, 2016. "Impact of Climate Change on Salinization of Coastal Water Resources," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(7), pages 2483-2496, May.
    6. Arnob Bormudoi & Masahiko Nagai, 2016. "A remote-sensing-based vegetative technique for flood hazard mitigation of Jiadhal basin, India," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 83(1), pages 411-423, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sagarika Patowary & Banasri Sarma & Arup Kumar Sarma, 2019. "A Revision of OPTEMP-LS Model for Selecting Optimal EMP Combination for Minimizing Sediment and Water Yield from Hilly Urban Watersheds," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(4), pages 1249-1264, March.
    2. Youn, Seok-goo & Chung, Eun-Sung & Kang, Won Gu & Sung, Jang Hyun, 2012. "Probabilistic estimation of the storage capacity of a rainwater harvesting system considering climate change," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 136-144.
    3. Zikun Xing & Lloyd H. C. Chua & Haiyan Miao & Jörg Imberger & Peipei Yang, 2018. "Wind Shielding Impacts on Water Quality in an Urban Reservoir," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 32(11), pages 3549-3561, September.
    4. Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie & Maruf Yakubu Ahmed & Phebe Asantewaa Owusu, 2022. "Global adaptation readiness and income mitigate sectoral climate change vulnerabilities," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Songsong Liu & Lazaros Papageorgiou & Petros Gikas, 2012. "Integrated Management of Non-conventional Water Resources in Anhydrous Islands," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(2), pages 359-375, January.
    6. Smith, Joyotee & Scherr, Sara J., 2003. "Capturing the Value of Forest Carbon for Local Livelihoods," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(12), pages 2143-2160, December.
    7. Yang, Lin & Pang, Shujiang & Wang, Xiaoyan & Du, Yi & Huang, Jieyu & Melching, Charles S., 2021. "Optimal allocation of best management practices based on receiving water capacity constraints," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    8. Reza Taromi & Michael DuRoss & Bintong Chen & Ardeshir Faghri & Mingxin Li & Tracy DeLiberty, 2015. "A multiobjective land development optimization model: the case of New Castle County, Delaware," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(3), pages 277-304, April.
    9. Dima Nazer & Maarten Siebel & Pieter Van der Zaag & Ziad Mimi & Huub Gijzen, 2010. "A Financial, Environmental and Social Evaluation of Domestic Water Management Options in the West Bank, Palestine," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(15), pages 4445-4467, December.
    10. Chunlong Li & Jianzhong Zhou & Shuo Ouyang & Chao Wang & Yi Liu, 2015. "Water Resources Optimal Allocation Based on Large-scale Reservoirs in the Upper Reaches of Yangtze River," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(7), pages 2171-2187, May.
    11. S. A. Mashi & A. I. Inkani & Oghenejeabor Obaro & A. S. Asanarimam, 2020. "Community perception, response and adaptation strategies towards flood risk in a traditional African city," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(2), pages 1727-1759, September.
    12. Yih-Liang Chan, David & Yang, Kuang-Han & Lee, Jenq-Daw & Hong, Gui-Bing, 2010. "The case study of furnace use and energy conservation in iron and steel industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 1665-1670.
    13. Michael Johnson & David Turcotte & Felicia Sullivan, 2010. "What Foreclosed Homes Should a Municipality Purchase to Stabilize Vulnerable Neighborhoods?," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 363-388, September.
    14. Mojtaba Moravej & Seyed-Mohammad Hosseini-Moghari, 2016. "Large Scale Reservoirs System Operation Optimization: the Interior Search Algorithm (ISA) Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(10), pages 3389-3407, August.
    15. Jung, Martina, 2003. "The Role of Forestry Sinks in the CDM - Analysing the Effects of Policy Decisions on the Carbon Market," Discussion Paper Series 26293, Hamburg Institute of International Economics.
    16. van Kooten, G. Cornelis & Eagle, Alison J. & Manley, James G. & Smolak, Tara M., 2004. "How Costly Are Carbon Offsets? A Meta-Analysis Of Carbon Forest Sinks," Working Papers 18166, University of Victoria, Resource Economics and Policy.
    17. McKenney, Daniel W. & Yemshanov, Denys & Fox, Glenn & Ramlal, Elizabeth, 2004. "Cost estimates for carbon sequestration from fast growing poplar plantations in Canada," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 6(3-4), pages 345-358, June.
    18. Tsai, Wen-Ping & Cheng, Chung-Lien & Uen, Tinn-Shuan & Zhou, Yanlai & Chang, Fi-John, 2019. "Drought mitigation under urbanization through an intelligent water allocation system," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 87-96.
    19. van Kooten, G. Cornelis & Sohngen, Brent, 2007. "Economics of Forest Ecosystem Carbon Sinks: A Review," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 1(3), pages 237-269, September.
    20. Anna Petit-Boix & David Sanjuan-Delmás & Carles Gasol & Gara Villalba & María Suárez-Ojeda & Xavier Gabarrell & Alejandro Josa & Joan Rieradevall, 2014. "Environmental Assessment of Sewer Construction in Small to Medium Sized Cities Using Life Cycle Assessment," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(4), pages 979-997, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:27:y:2013:i:11:p:4069-4082. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.