Transboundary Water Resources Research Articles

Literature review on optimization of transboundary water for irrigation

ABSTRACT Transboundary water resources are essential for agricultural sustainability and regional development, and they are intrinsically linked to achieving the United Nations' SDGs and the water-food-energy nexus (WFE-NEXUS) concept. Despite challenges such as conflicting allocation and climate change impacts, effective transboundary water management for irrigation is crucial to meeting the SDGs of eradicating hunger, providing clean water and sanitation, offering affordable and sustainable energy, and taking climate action. This work synthesizes approaches to transboundary water for irrigation optimization, highlighting the significance of a holistic plan that considers both technical and social factors. Remote-sensing technologies, data forecasting, hydrology and hydraulic modelling, and water resource modelling all contribute to maximize water allocation and policy creation, particularly when paired with collaborative government features. This integrated approach to transboundary water for irrigation optimization fosters long-term development by improving livelihoods, resilience, and inclusive growth through efficient resource management.

A Bibliometric Review and Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Brahmaputra River

In this study, we visualize and analyze the literature on the Brahmaputra river using a spectral clustering algorithm, tracking research trends over time. We found that the focus of research on the Brahmaputra has changed over time in the last decade, with a shift from geology to hydrology and geochemistry and a rapid growth in climate change research in recent years. In the future, potential hot topics may be “water resource management” and other topics related to transboundary water resource management and cooperation. At the same time, this study also analyzes in detail the keywords and clusters “geohydrology” and “ecological risk and sustainable development”, among other topics. We believe that future research should carefully consider the potential effects of transdisciplinary research trends. For instance, it is urgent that transborder governance and management regimes be renovated through joint efforts and cross-border effective actions carried out by multifaceted and multi-scalar agencies along this river.

Prerequisites for Increasing Contradictions between Iran and Afghanistan over the Use of Transboundary Water Resources of the Helmand River

Prerequisites for Increasing Contradictions between Iran and Afghanistan over the Use of Transboundary Water Resources of the Helmand River

Reassessing water resource challenges in a changing climate in the Kagera transboundary river basin, Tanzania

The dynamic shifts in climatic patterns, particularly alterations in precipitation, have significantly impacted water resource availability and accessibility. These climate-induced changes affect hydrological processes, encompassing runoff, groundwater replenishment, water demand, and biophysical patterns within river basins. This study seeks to unravel the multifaceted implications encountered and challenges in water resource management within the river basin. It employed a survey-based approach for data collection, including Key informant interviews (KI), consultation methods and documentary reviews. The study utilized Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel for quantitative analysis and thematic synthesis for qualitative insights, including local community perspectives. The findings reveal substantial fluctuations in precipitation, protracted droughts, severe flooding, and other climatic extremes. The observed annual mean rainfall of 832 mm, with a standard deviation of 248, a standard error of 361, and a skewness of −945, accentuates the pronounced variability in mean precipitation, exhibiting a declining trend indicative of climatic shifts (R2 = 0.1797 and P = 0.002). The challenges are limited access to hydrological and meteorological data, undermining prediction accuracy, infrastructure planning, and response strategies for water resource allocation and management. The absence of unified approaches, influenced by the politics of riparian states, feeble coordination, conflicting sectoral policies, and ambiguous priorities, hinders effective transboundary water resource management. The study addresses these complexities and advocates for institutionalizing robust water management strategies that capitalize on existing resources and foster innovative capacities among critical stakeholders. Central to these efforts is harmonizing and enforcing policies, regulations, and laws governing water use, coupled with a concerted focus on inclusive governance to ensure the sustainability of water resource management. Such effort entails synchronized strategies, programs, plans, and livelihood practices underpinned by active stakeholder involvement in pivotal facets of water resources management.

A traditional ecological knowledge summit

A traditional ecological knowledge summit The Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters (GCTW) cohosts a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Summit (1), as Gail Krantzberg (2), Peter Czajkowski, Dawn Martin-Hill, Rohini Patel, Hiliary Monteith, and Drew Gronewold explain. The Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters (GCTW) integrates hydroclimate modeling, water quality forecasting, and community-engaged mixed methods that harmonize and propagate Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and Western Science (WS) into robust 21st-century transboundary water resources governance protocols. The U.S. National Science Foundation and the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Research Council fund the Center. It supports a multinational network of researchers that is designed to promote information sharing across borders.

Hydro-Political Dynamics Between China–India–Pakistan: Dams and Transboundary River Governance Amidst Geopolitical Contestations

Transboundary rivers raise critical concerns for state security amidst contemporary ecological strain and regional geopolitics in South Asia. The challenge of ‘water security’ is underscored by the substantial reliance on transboundary rivers, compounded by the multifaceted impacts of climate change and the simmering geopolitical tensions among riparian nations, especially in the complex dynamics between India–China and India–Pakistan. This study endeavours to illuminate distinctive characteristics of the South Asian transboundary governance framework, wherein rivers are subjected to intensive damming aimed at (a) harnessing hydroelectric potential and (b) leveraging water resources as geopolitical bargaining chips, thereby exerting pressure; however, order is not specified, particularly. In this intricate milieu, international conventions often fail to reconcile internal contradictions inherent within the transboundary governance paradigm. Consequently, transboundary water resources have metamorphosed into an extension of geopolitical realities, embodying intricate interplay between hydrology, geopolitics and state security within the region, especially between China, India and Pakistan.

Simulating streamflow in a transboundary river catchment: The implications of hybrid rainfall data

The lack of observed data for the hydrological modelling of catchments across borders has hindered the management of transboundary water resources. This study investigated the implications of different degrees of hybridization of observed rainfall data using ERA5-Land reanalysis precipitation data in simulating streamflow in the Ruvubu River catchment across the Burundi-Tanzania border. The hydrological model of the Ruvubu River catchment was set up and iteratively updated using 0%–100% hybrid rainfall data, parameterized, simulated, and then evaluated against observed streamflow data at the catchment outlet. The findings show that the performance of the hydrological model decreased as the degree of rainfall data hybridization increased. However, model parameters satisfactorily compensated for input uncertainty when the model had hybrid rainfall data not exceeding 15% hybridization. Subsequently, errors in the simulated flow were also minimal. This implies that the simulated flow from the model when it has hybrid rainfall data not exceeding 15% hybridization can represent the simulated flow when it has 0% hybrid rainfall data. These findings show the need to develop thresholds of rainfall data hybridization for different global precipitation datasets in data-scarce transboundary river catchments.

First diatom-based assessment of Lower Hari Rud River (a transboundary system) in Afghanistan.

It is essential to determine the dominant/indicator species and their ecological preferences to develop a comprehensive bioassessment strategy for rivers. The objective of this work was to provide dependable ecological evaluation techniques for ecosystems that experience significant human-induced disruptions, with the Hari Rud River (a transboundary water resource) serving as a case study during the May (wet) and July (dry) periods of 2023. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen, ortho-phosphate (P ), and nitrate (N ) had substantial impacts on the spatial distribution of diatom species in the basin. Relatively pollution-tolerant species, including Nitzschia brevissima, N. capitellata, N. umbonata, N. palea, N. dissipata, and Navicula cryptocephala, had close relationships with EC and P , integrated with Joi Injil and Karbar streams. Of the sampling stations, especially Hari Rud River1 and Hari Rud River2, exhibited pollution-sensitive diatom species, Cymbella excisa, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Diatoma moniliformis, Cymbella affinis, and Meridion circulare. Various eco-regional diatom metrics exhibited distinct scores, indicating a range of ecological status from high to bad in the Lower Hari Rud River basin. European diatom indices revealed good ecological status for Hari Rud River 1 and 4, but poor or bad ecological statuses for Joi Injil and Karbar streams. The findings of the current study emphasize the requirements of autecological studies to understand the regional diatom compositions and their ideal survival ranges in different locations before considering using non-regional diatom indices to evaluate the ecological status of lotic systems.

Perspectives and Prospects for International Water Law in the ASEAN Region: Is There an ASEAN Way to Transboundary Water Cooperation Under International Law?

Around the world there are over 300 transboundary watercourses and around 500 transboundary groundwater bodies shared by two or more States. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region contains forty-one transboundary surface and groundwater bodies shared between ten ASEAN States and the five non-ASEAN States at its periphery. As transboundary water resources they are governed under international law found in a series of layers across a spectrum of bindingness (customary international law, global–regional–multilateral–bilateral agreements and non-binding instruments). Through an analysis of the international law relevant to the governance of transboundary water resources in the region, this study seeks to explore the ASEAN approach to transboundary water governance under international law. While this analysis finds that there is no uniform practice across the region, the paper concludes with possible paths forward for the legalization of transboundary water cooperation.

Managing Transboundary Water Resources At the Edge of Human Interface: A Case of Kagera River Basin, Tanzania

Globally, water concerns stemming from human factors are evident, and the Kagera River Basin exemplifies this challenge. This study investigated the influence of human elements on transboundary water resource management in the Kagera River Basin. Utilizing focus group discussions, household surveys, key informant interviews, and field observations, the study analysed land use changes via remote sensing; and processed quantitative data using SPSS 20 and ArcGIS 10.4. Results highlighted economic, political, and social factors as key factors influencing transboundary water resource management. The institutional analysis identified major players to include the Ministry of Water, Lake Victoria Basin Water Board, NELSAP, Ministry of Agriculture, village governments, and CONCERN/OXFAM. Non-climatic factors such as water infrastructure management, socio-economic factors, conflicting water uses, agricultural practices causing soil erosion, and land use/cover changes were identified as central to transboundary water resource challenges. Agricultural expansion and land use shifts in the basin in 1986, 2000 and 2021 were pinpointed as contributors to water resource challenges, impacting availability, access, and quality. Anthropogenic-driven land use changes emerged as significant contributors to pollution, habitat loss, and alterations in water quality. While human factors substantially influence water resources, their impact is exacerbated by anthropogenic activities. Thus, fostering collaborative planning and stewardship initiatives at the local level is crucial for sustaining transboundary water resources. This involves engaging community members and leaders in developing resilience plans and initiating international cooperation, and innovative participatory approaches for effective transboundary water resources management.

Diagnostic and evolutionary models for spatial equilibrium allocation schemes of transboundary water resources

Diagnostic and evolutionary models for spatial equilibrium allocation schemes of transboundary water resources

Surface Water Resources Planning in an Ungauged Transboundary Basin Using Satellite Products and the AHP Method

Global concern over optimizing transboundary water resources for residents is hindered by the lack of observational data, particularly in ungauged basins, mainly due to inaccessibility or security issues. Remote sensing and GIS technology provide a practical solution for monitoring and managing water resources in such basins. This research evaluates surface water resources in the Qaretikan ungauged transboundary basin using satellite products for precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration from 2005 to 2014. The accuracy of these datasets was assessed using statistical measures. The water balance components, i.e., precipitation and evaporation, were utilized to calculate runoff over the basin using the Justin method. Downstream environmental flow was estimated using the Lyon method, and available water was determined. This study identified a potential annual storage water of 11.8 MCM in the Qaretikan basin. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) integrated expert opinions to prioritize water usage decisions based on proposed decision options. The results revealed greenhouse cultivation water allocation as the top priority among the identified options, highlighting its importance in sustainable water resource management within the basin.

Transboundary water resources management and food security: An Indonesian perspective

AbstractTransboundary water resource management is one of the key components of ensuring that water is managed appropriately for a number of objectives, including assisting in food production. Inadequate water management may aggravate social conflict in the near future as precipitation patterns change. This study evaluates long‐term government policies, plans, and initiatives based on their responsibility. Strategic environmental assessment is used as an approach to address problems relating to the transboundary flow of water resources. It takes into account the requirements for integrating environmental constraints into government planning and development programs. To make sure that water resources are functioning correctly from upstream to downstream locations, various levels of government are urged to employ spatial planning based on water resource information. This study uses the Cimanuk watershed area in Indonesia to demonstrate this perspective.

Transboundary water resource management and sustainable development in the lancang-mekong river basin: an analysis of international water law

ABSTRACT The Lancang-Mekong River Basin stands as one of the most critical and complex transboundary basins globally, where the utilization and protection of water resources are paramount. This basin, linking China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, is characterized by a dense population and rapid industrial and agricultural development, fostering frequent economic and cultural exchanges. Cooperative efforts in water resource utilization and protection among these countries lead to issues such as resource disputes, environmental pollution, and collaboration barriers. Since the six basin countries have not jointly joined any international convention on water resources development or protection, disputes have been resolved and cooperation promoted through existing inter-state cooperation mechanisms for many years. However, these mechanisms often fall short due to the lack of common guiding principles. Achieving sustainable water resource development in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin aligns with the national interests of the six countries. The basin states can establish a transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment system and a dispute settlement mechanism. Constructing a comprehensive Integrated Water Resource Management Cooperation Mechanism, rooted in the fundamental principles of international water law, is crucial for enhancing the level of international cooperation within the basin.

Enhancing Transboundary Freshwater Security: From Online Learning to Global Knowledge Exchange Platform

The management of transboundary water resources presents a complex challenge involving multiple stakeholders and countries. Negotiating a single rule for managing these resources can take years due to various factors, including political, socioeconomic, cultural, and historical backgrounds. To assist transboundary water practitioners worldwide, the GWP and GEF IW:LEARN have developed a free-access educational platform, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security. The MOOC attracted 3855 learners from 166 countries and included 14 interactive online sessions to facilitate discussions among practitioners. In response to learners’ desire for increased interaction and networking opportunities, the Transboundary Water Knowledge Exchange Hub was established. This global online community enables members to share knowledge and engage in direct peer-to-peer learning through an online knowledge management platform. The effort evolved from online course and interactive sessions into an online community, promoting knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning through an online knowledge management platform. Through examining this evolution and analysing key survey results, this paper analyses the role of MOOC and knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning for building capacity for improved transboundary water governance.

Public opinion risk perception of decision makers’ in transboundary watershed emergency water supply

ABSTRACT In recent years, the number of public opinion risks related to sudden transboundary drought events has continued to increase. Research on the perception of public opinion risks has become an indispensable and increasingly important part of emergency management research in transboundary watersheds. Based on relevant literature and interview materials, an exploratory theoretical construction was conducted using the grounded theory research method. The research results indicate that four main categories of public opinion risks, namely, political, economic, ecological and environmental, and socio-cultural, have a significant impact on the perception of public opinion risks among decision-makers in transboundary watershed emergency water supply. The formation mechanisms of decision-makers’ perception of public opinion risks vary in each of these four categories. This research not only enriches the relevant research on the influencing factors of decision-makers’ perception of public opinion risks in theory but also provides decision-making reference and guidance for transboundary watershed water resource management in practice.

Impact of Türkiye’s Dam Construction on the Water Resources of the Transboundary Aras River Basin in Iran

Abstract The Aras River Basin, a significant transboundary river basin in the Caucasus region, is shared among four riparian countries, including Türkiye, Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Although positive measures have been taken to enhance water cooperation in this river basin, the Eastern Anatolia Project (DAP) and the hydraulic mission of Türkiye remain the primary factors that could potentially reverse the cooperative atmosphere of the basin and lead to conflict. In recent decades, Türkiye has utilised transboundary water resources to bolster its economic power, advance political strategies, and establish hydro-hegemony. Despite the significant Mega-Project and hydraulic mission of the upstream in the Aras River Basin, they have not received adequate attention in hydro politics studies. This study employs secondary sources to investigate Türkiye’s actions in the region. It discusses the implications of Türkiye’s projects on downstream riparian states in general and Iran’s water resources, including dam construction.

Tracing water resources flows by complementary use of hydrological and water accounting models

AbstractHistorically, there has been a dispute over water allocation between users and policymakers in Iran's Zayandeh‐Roud Basin (ZRB). In this study, we used the “System of Environmental‐Economic Accounting for Water” (SEEAW) framework in combination with the hydrologic model “Soil and Water Assessment Tool” (SWAT) to achieve the water balance in ZRB. We used SEEAW to combine a wide range of water‐related statistics across stakeholders and SWAT to evaluate the unknown agricultural water use. The SWAT model is calibrated based on the stream flows and crop yields in the basin. The model assess the renewable water of the basin into two components, about 363 and 70 mm as green and blue water, respectively. Also results from the physical water supply and water use tables demonstrates that the agricultural sector uses 78% of the total renewable freshwater, followed by the residential, 16%, and the industrial sector, 6%. The flows of water from source to services in ZRB are traced based on the water supply and water use tables. The flow diagram shows that 8 MCM of industrial reused water was transferred to the agricultural sector, and 137 MCM and 18 MCM of water from the wastewater treatment plants to the agricultural and industrial sectors, respectively. Furthermore, the results show that the index of the basin dependence on groundwater resources is high (61%), the value of water stress is high (0.88) and the dependence of the basin on transboundary water resources is 30%. Therefore, this method is highly beneficial for achieving a conceptual water balance in disputed basins without enough agricultural water uses data.

Seawater intrusion assessment in the Bir Guendouz-Boulanoire coastal transboundary aquifers of Morocco and Mauritania

The Bir Guendouz region, situated in Southern Morocco, is affected by saltwater intrusion. The transboundary aquifer is shared by Morocco and Mauritania, and it serves as the primary source of freshwater in this arid region. To differentiate between freshwater and saltwater areas, 750 non-invasive vertical electrical soundings (VES) were utilized along 42 perpendiculars to the coast. Dar-Zarrouk parameters—transverse resistance (Tr), longitudinal conductance (S), and longitudinal resistivity (ρl)— were determined using VES. These techniques remove uncertainties in resistivity interpretation that may arise due to the overlap between freshwater and saline aquifers during the process of suppression and equivalence. The results indicate a significant marine intrusion in the Bir Guendouz-Boulanoire aquifer, with varying degrees of salinization observed in different zones. Freshwater zones are identified by a transverse resistance of over 4450 Ω m2, a longitudinal conductance below 41.7 mho, and a longitudinal resistivity greater than 8.7 Ω m. These characteristics can be used to prevent saltwater intrusion and ensure the sustainable use of groundwater resources. Furthermore, they will aid in improving resource management between the two nations. The study's consequences also involve safeguarding the ecosystem and ensuring the longevity of these transboundary water resources. Therefore, for researchers, professionals, and decision-makers involved in sustainable management of transboundary groundwater, this study serves as a crucial reference.

International Experience in the Use of Transboundary Water Resources and Issues of its Regulation

The article analyzes the ecological problems of regulating the use of transboundary waters and its protection. The contents of the documents accepted by the international community were studied. At the same time, the state environmental policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan regarding transboundary waters and the tasks it has set for itself have been studied, and suggestions for their improvement have been given. The methods used in this research were interviews and surveys where interviews were conducted with key stakeholders, including government officials, local activists, and the general public in Uzbekistan. Use surveys to collect quantitative data about public perception and awareness regarding changing views about the value of water. In summary, effective international cooperation, clear legal regulations, the establishment of a monitoring commission, and comprehensive protection measures are essential for the sustainable management of transboundary water resources in Central Asia.