Research on Policy Diffusion Path and Reproduction of River Chief System

The River Chief System (RCS) has evolved from local innovative practices to a national water governance strategy to address the current challenges in China’s water environmental management. In contrast to existing research that focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, and improvements of RCS, this study uses literature study to reveal the dynamic evolution of RCS through three phases, with RCS spreading from developed coastal areas to central and western inland regions. RCS’s diffusion path involves vertical diffusion between central and local levels and horizontal diffusion among local governments. Moreover, RCS has also achieved conceptual spillover, gradually expanding into other governance domains, such as the Lake Chief System, the Field Chief System, the Forestry Chief System, and the integration of multiple chief roles. However, it is essential to scrutinize the phenomenon of applying similar governance mechanisms to different areas, as it may result in challenges such as overburdening local governments, insufficient public participation, oversimplification of differences in natural resource endowments, and limited applicability. This study also provides suggestions on how to address these challenges. The study contributes theoretical insights and policy implications, providing a foundation for practical policy innovation.

Valuing water quality in China:purpose,approach and policy

The economic valuation of water quality in a rapidly developing country such as China should be undertaken to determine when the benefits from rapid growth begin to exceed the costs from the same. The best approach is to ascertain the total economic valuation of the environmental resource. This includes all of the various uses of the resource, and even those values that are unconnected to individual use (e.g. natural and aesthetic values). A method known as contingent valuation (CV) is used to ascertain these forms of value. This approach is demonstrated here in an application to river water quality in the Beijing area. A CV study is reported in which Beijing area citizens reported an average willingness to pay about 1.3% of annual income in order to prevent further deterioration of river water quality. Aggregation over the representative population indicates that the perceived cost of further river quality deterioration is in the neighbourhood of USD 60 million. Such a measure provides some indication of the socially desired “stopping point”—— in the pursuit of economic growth at the expense of environmental quality.

Dispute over Water Resource Management—Iraq and Turkey

As a downstream region, Iraq was ranked among the richest Middle Eastern countries with regards to water resources. The world witnessed the emergence of a magnificent ancient civilization that largely relied on agriculture with extraordinary irrigation systems. However, during the last decade, Iraq began to suffer dramatically from inadequate water shares, desertification, and several other environmental issues due to the absence of proper resource management and, not least, various political conflicts. Numerous global water wars, particularly ones involving developing countries, reflect the importance of water shares and potential demand for water. Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, riparian watercourse countries, have engaged in a long-term water dispute that continues to yield no end through mutual agreement. This present work highlights the major events of this dispute, evaluates the causes and current water challenges, and provides a comprehensive solution through the establishment of the Iraqi Water Security Council.

Spatial matching and flow in supply and demand of water provision services: A case study in Xiangjiang River Basin

Global climate change and increased human consumption have aggravated the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of watershed water resources, affecting the water provision supply and demand state. However, this problem has often been ignored. The present study used the Xiangjiang River basin(XRB) as the study area, and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs(InVEST) model, demand quantification model,supply–demand ratio, and water flow formula were applied to explore the spatial heterogeneity, flow, and equilibrium between water supply and demand. The results demonstrated significant spatial heterogeneity in the upstream, midstream, and downstream regions.The areas of water shortage were mainly located the downstream of the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan urban agglomeration, and the Hengyang basin was the most scarcity area. Affected by terrain gradients and human needs, water flow varied from-16.33 × 10^(8) m^(3) to 13.69 × 10^(8) m^(3)from the upstream to the downstream area, which provided a possibility to reduce spatial heterogeneity. In the future, measures such as strengthening water resource system control,sponge city construction, and dynamic monitoring technology should be taken to balance the supply and demand of water in different river sections of the basin. This study can provide references for regulating water resources allocation in different reaches of the basin.

A comparison of the water management systems in France and China

This paper compares legal systems for water management in France and China, with a focus on integrated water resources management and regarding in particular the formulation of policies and their implemen- tation. The research shows that China has committed itself to the efficient management of water resources through the development of various policy tools during the current period. This commitment, however, has often been interrupted and distorted by politics, resulting in the neglect of socioeconomic and environmental priorities. France has developed a legislative framework and practical instruments to apply integrated water resources manage- ment at the river basin level since the 1960s. This experience and the current implementation of the European Water Framework Directive brings elements that can contribute to Chinese society meeting its water challenges.

Emerging pollutants in the environment:A challenge for water resource management

A significant number of emerging pollutants(EPs)resulting from point and diffuse pollution is present in the aquatic environment.These are chemicals that are not commonly monitored but have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects.According to the NORMAN network,at least 700 substances categorized into 20 classes,have been identified in the European aquatic environment.In light of their potential impact action is urgently required.In this study,we present a concept that shows the current state of art and challenges for monitoring programs,fate and risk assessment tools and requirements for policies with respect to emerging pollutants as a base for sustainable water resource management.Currently,methods for sampling and analysis are not harmonized,being typically focused on certain EP classes.For a number of known highly hazardous EPs detection limits are too high to allow proper risk assessment.For other EPs such as microplastics method development is in its infancy.Advanced ultra-sensitive instrumental techniques should be used for quantitative determination of prioritized EPs in water,suspended matter,soil and biota.Data on EPs'and their metabolites'properties that determine their fate in the environment are often not available.National surveys on water quality often use different parameters for water quality assessment and often do not include EPs.A harmonized monitoring of surface and groundwater is not yet achieved and urgently required.Specific component integrated into models assessing the fate of EPs in a multi compartment environmental approach are missing and must be developed.The main goal of risk assessment is the overall protection of ecological communities in the aquatic environment and human health.New methods for assessing the cumulative risks from combined exposures to several stressors,including mixtures of EPs in a multi-scale approach are required.A combination of regulations and management measures with respect to use/emissions of EPs into the environment,as well as to their occurrence in the environment are fundamental to reach an efficient water resource management.

Wastewater reclamation and reuse in China:Opportunities and challenges

The growing water stress both in terms of water scarcity and quality deterioration promotes the development of reclaimed water as a new water resource use. This paper reviewed wastewater reuse practices in China, and the opportunities and challenges of expanding reclaimed water use were analyzed. Rapid urbanization with the increasing of water demand and wastewater discharge provides an opportunity for wastewater reuse. The vast amount of wastewater discharge and low reclaimed water production mean that wastewater reuse still has a great potential in China. Many environmental and economic benefits and successful reclamation technologies also provide opportunities for wastewater reuse. In addition, the overall strategy in China is also encouraging for wastewater reuse. In the beginning stage of wastewater reclamation and reuse, there are many significant challenges to expand wastewater reuse in China including slow pace in adopting urban wastewater reuse programs, the establishment of integrated water resources management framework and guidelines for wastewater reuse programs, incoherent water quality requirements, the limited commercial development of reclaimed water and the strengthening of public awareness and cooperation among stakeholders.

The expansion of Brazilian agriculture:Soil erosion scenarios

During the next 10 years Brazil's agricultural area will expand to meet increased domestic and worldwide demand for food,fuel,and fiber.Present choices regarding land use will determine to what degree this expansion will have adverse effects that include soil erosion,reservoir siltation,water quality problems,loss of biodiversity and social conflict,especially around indigenous reservations.This paper presents an up-to-date inventory of soil erosion in Brazil caused by crop and livestock activities and provides estimates based on three different hypothetical land-use scenarios to accommodate the expansion of Brazilian agricultural activity by 2020:Scenario 1-expansion of cropping into areas of natural vegetation,without adoption of conservation practices;Scenario 2-expansion of cropping into areas of degraded pasture,without adoption of conservation practices;Scenario 3-expansion of cropping into areas of degraded pasture,together with conservation practices in 100%of the expanded area.The worst-case scenario involves expansion of agriculture into areas of native vegetation in the Brazilian Savannah(Cerrado)and Brazilian rainforest(Amazon)biomes,and could increase total soil erosion in Brazil(currently about 800 million metric tons a year)by as much as 20%.In the best-case scenar-io,crop expansion under a conservation agriculture model would utilize currently degraded pasture,especially in the Savannah(circa 40 million hectares),reducing soil erosion in Brazil by around 20%.For this to occur,however,a national soil and water conservation policy needs to be implemented in Brazil to support a sustainable model of agriculture in which the environment can be preserved as much as possible.