Changes In Water Use Research Articles

THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN WATER USE IN THE TUCSON BASIN, ARIZONA1

ABSTRACT: The ground water in the Tucson basin is being drawn faster than it is replenished by nature. The water table is falling, giving rise to several conflicts between water users in the basin. At present, several lawsuits are in progress, including an action by the Papago Tribe against some of the major water users in the basin. Largely because of these difficulties, the State Legislature has established a commission to make proposals for the reform of Arizona's ground water law. The pattern of water use in the basin will undoubtedly be changed by the outcome of the present litigation and the coming reform of Arizona's ground water law. This paper describes how water use in the basin might be affected by changes in the availability of water and gives an account of the effects that these changes in water use could have on the region's economy. The paper concludes that the water problems of the Tucson basin will have little effect on the region at large and that these problems are simply a matter for the Indians and the other water users in the basin to sort out amongst themselves.

Effect of Root Pruning on Water Relations and Growth of Cotton1

AbstractTo investigate changes in plant water use and growth rates brought about by the loss of a part of a root system, an experiment was conducted to determine quantitatively the effects of removing pan of a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) root system. Approximately one‐fourth of the total root length was severed by forcing a sharp‐edged plate horizontally through the soil from front to rear of a rhizotron compartment. Root length was estimated from the number of roots appearing at the glass viewing surface of the compartment. Stem diameters were monitored continuously with linear variable differential transformers. Plant height was measured daily. Growth reductions after root pruning were greater when the root system was small and concentrated in the upper 25 cm of soil than when the root system was larger and confined to the upper 50 cm of soil. Consequently, effects of root damage by cultivation or by root pathogens may, in part, depend on the size and extent of the root system at the time of damage.

ALTERNATIVE FUTURES USING THE WOLLMAN‐BONEM MODELS1

ABSTRACTAlternative futures are defined to be mutually consistent alternative combinations of assumed sets of future conditions. Alternative futures are employed in conjunction with the Wollman‐Bonem model to project future water use. The model solutions under different alternative futures provide an indication of the direction and relative magnitude of changes in water use, both in quantity and quality, that may result from changes in policy‐influenced variables, technology, and other data. The Wollman‐Bonem model is employed in this paper as a tool to illustrate the alternative futures concept. The model can best be cast as an economic model. The model solutions are not given as a set of formal projections, but as various possible water‐use‐over‐time curves. This should aid in disspelling the erroneous idea that it is possible to make distant projections of water use as a single curve. Multiple curves suggest that water use is really a function of many variables.

Effects of Changes in Water Use on Rural Landscape Integrity: Tortum Lake Watershed, Turkey

The effects of changes in water use of Tortum Lake watershed were studied. This study investigates the effects of changes in water use culture, and its reflection on landscape during the last 35 years time period. In the last 35 years of time period, factors which caused the changes in type of water use can be discussed and determined under four subjects, which are; (1) fountains constructed built in Tortum Lake watershed by General Directorate of Rural Services (KHGM) in 1975 (2) facilitating the transportation which increased the urban integration, widespread communication, establishing the drinking and usable water systems, (3) changes in water use of traditional agriculture system and establishment of trout production facilities, and (4) establishment of high plateau roads and spreading the recreational activities. From this study, evident changes in (1) structure of cultural and rural landscape (2) sort of traditional architecture (3) type of household water use, were observed. It was found that water resources are contaminated with household pollutants. Key words: Water use culture; rural landscape; Tortum Lake watershed. DOI: 10.3329/jard.v7i1.4434 J Agric Rural Dev 7(1&2), 139-144, June 2009