Year: 2013
Type: book-chapter
Abstract: The rapid population growth and associated environmental degradation have substantially increased the demand for terrestrial freshwater resources. Different economic sectors and riparian communities sharing river basins are competing for water consumption.The river system also requires an adequate amount of water for preserving its quality and for protecting its ecosystem. Moreover, climate variability and change would affect the availability of water required for human development and ecological functions.The current and anticipated challenges of the overwhelming disparity between water demand and supply could be addressed through managing the scarce freshwater resources in an effective and integrated manner within hydrological domains. However, if the water management practice fails to move away from isolated engagements within administrative boundaries, livelihoods, food security and environmental health would be compromised. The water management system should also focus on interventions that use water efficiently and improves productivity.The Nile River Basin covers expansive areas with greater topographic, climatic and hydro-ecological variability.The water management interventions should be very specific and most adaptable to the different parts of the basin.Therefore, it is essential to characterize the spatial variability of water management drivers in the Nile Basin and to classify the basin into similar water management zones.
Source: Routledge eBooks
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2260469443