Contribution of Geographic Information Systems for the Management of Water Resources： Case of Groundwater Resources of the Plain of Mascara （Algeria）

The plain of Mascara includes groundwater resources, heavily exploited for the needs of the population, industry and agriculture. However, this resource is under threat from the point of view of quality and quantity. The degradation of water quality comes from water discharges untreated （domestic and/or industrial） and from the irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture. The decrease in reserves is due to the effects of intensive exploitation. Several studies on the water resources of the plain generated a mass of very important data. In most cases, these data are disparate at different institutions managers （water resources, environment, etc.）, and are found recorded in paper documents, difficult to exploit. For this reason, it would be essential to use reliable new techniques, namely the GIS （geographic information systems）. The implementation of the GIS of the plain of Mascara （with extension to all the sub-basin of Wadi Fekan） must permit to organize the data and transform it into information. Integration, crossing and superposition of the data with other variables may contribute to spatial analysis and generate very important thematic maps. The GIS constitutes a very effective decision aid tool for the management, exploitation, preservation and protection of water resources. The exploitation possibilities of GIS are multiple, direct or indirect. We give an example as the coupling with a groundwater flow model that may be the subject of additional work.

A Framework for Intelligent Decision Support System for Traffic Congestion Management System

Traffic congestion problem is one of the major problems that face many transportation decision makers for urban areas. The problem has many impacts on social, economical and development aspects of urban areas. Hence the solution to this problem is not straight forward. It requires a lot of effort, expertise, time and cost that sometime are not available. Most of the existing transportation planning software, specially the most advanced ones, requires personnel with lots practical transportation planning experience and with high level of education and training. In this paper we propose a comprehensive framework for an Intelligent Decision Support System (IDSS) for Traffic Congestion Management System that utilizes a state of the art transportation network equilibrium modeling and providing an easy to use GIS-based interaction environment. The developed IDSS reduces the dependability on the expertise and level of education of the transportation planners, transportation engineers, or any transportation decision makers.

A Knowledge Model-and Growth Model-Based Decision Support System for Wheat Management

By applying the system analysis principle and mathematical modeling technique to knowledge expression system for crop cultural management, the fundamental relationships and quantitative algorithms of wheat growth and management indices to variety types, ecological environments and production levels were analysed and extracted, and a dynamic knowledge model with temporal and spatial characters for wheat management(WheatKnow)was developed. By adopting the soft component characteristics as non language relevance , re-utilization and portable system maintenance. and by further integrating the wheat growth simulation model(WheatGrow)and intelligent system for wheat management, a comprehensive and digital knowledge model, growth model and component-based decision support system for wheat management(MBDSSWM)was established on the platforms of Visual C++ and Visual Basic. The MBDSSWM realized the effective integration and coupling of the prediction and decision-making functions for digital crop management.

Toward a Decision Support System for Integrated Pest Management of Pine Caterpillar

A decision support system for IPM of the pine caterpillar, Dendrolimus spectabilis Buter, DS-IPM-DSS, has recently been developed using a GW-0520 CH microcomputer. The software system consists of , a Model Base and its Management System, a Database and its Management System, a Control Program, a Problem Analysis Program, and a User’s Interface System. Also further development aimed at expanding the DS-IPM-DSS into a more generalized and flexible package, i. e., making it helpful in creating computer-based system for other forest insect pests, are discussed.

Reformative Financial Risk Management Approach： A Multistage Decision Support System with the Assistance of Fuzzy Goal Programming and Expertons Method

The potential demand on financial risk management has being increased considerably by the reason of Basel 11 regulations and instabilities in economy. In recent years, financial institutions and companies have been struggled for building up intensive financial risk management tools due to Basel II guidance on establishing financial self-assessment systems. In this respect, decision support system has a significant role on effectuating intensive financial risk management roadmap. In this study, a reformative financial risk management system is presented with the combination of determining financial risks with their importance, calculating risk scores and making suggestions based on detected risk scores by applying corrective actions. First, financial risk factors and indicators of these risk variables are selected and weights of these variables are specified by using fuzzy goal programming. After that, total risk scores are calculated and amendatory financial activities are appeared by means of expertons method which also provides possibilities of the alternative decisions. To illustrate the performance of integrated and multistage decision support system, a survey is applied on the end users.

Research of Agile Supply Chain Management Decision Support System

Agile Supply Chain Management (ASCM) is an important topic and has received much attention recently. ASCM is a new management technology. Agile Supply Chain Management Decision Support System (ASCM DSS) is presented. Firstly, agile supply chain management technology is introduced. Secondly a decision support system for agile supply chain management is proposed. Then, the implementation of ASCM DSS in enterprise is discussed. Finally, a fuzzy intelligence decision making process in Shanghai Turbine Generator Company (STGC) is described in detail.

Participatory Environmental Management and its Framework of Group Decision Support System

Considering some drawbacks of the mainstream approach to environmental management (EM),the conception and basic idea of Participatory EM(PEM) are put forward.PEM possesses some main features and benefits that are superior to the mainstream approach,but also faces the crucial constraint in decision-making.The dilemma can be effectively settled by applying an advanced decision-making support tool-group decision support system(GDSS).On the basis of recognizing the complex decision-making environment of PEM,this paper describes the components of GDSS for PEM(PEM-GDSS) and further discusses the basic requirement of PEM-GDSS.

A Project Management and Decision Support System for Non-standard Equipment's Eexecuting Work

Based on the features of the non-standard equipment executing work, a project management and decision support system oriented to the non-standard equipment is developed, and the information model, function model as well as the structure framework of the system are also introduced in this paper.

Review of state-of-the-art decision support systems (DSSs) for prevention and suppression of forest fires

Forest ecosystems are our priceless natural resource and are a key component of the global carbon budget. Forest fires can be a hazard to the viability and sustainable management of forests with consequences for natural and cultural environments, economies, and the life quality of local and regional populations. Thus, the selection of strategies to manage forest fires, while considering both functional and economic efficiency, is of primary importance. The use of decision support systems(DSSs) by managers of forest fires has rapidly increased. This has strengthened capacity to prevent and suppress forest fires while protecting human lives and property. DSSs are a tool that can benefit incident management and decision making and policy, especially for emergencies such as natural disasters. In this study we reviewed state-of-the-art DSSs that use: database management systems and mathematical/economic algorithms for spatial optimization of firefighting forces; forest fire simulators and satellite technology for immediate detection and prediction of evolution of forest fires; GIS platforms that incorporate several tools to manipulate, process and analyze geographic data and develop strategic and operational plans.

Electronic market models for decision support systems on the Web

With the prevalence of the Web, most decision-makers are likely to use the Web to support their decision-making. Web-based technologies are leading a major stream of researching decision support systems (DSS). We propose a formal definition and a conceptual framework for Web-based open DSS (WODSS). The formal definition gives an overall view of WODSS, and the conceptual framework based on browser/broker/server computing mode employs the electronic market to mediate decision-makers and providers, and facilitate sharing and reusing of decision resources. We also develop an admitting model, a trading model and a competing model of electronic market in WODSS based on market theory in economics. These models reveal the key mechanisms that drive WODSS operate efficiently.

PROBLEM-ORIENTED INFORMATION RETRIEVAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Decision Support Systems(DSS)are man-machine interaction systems,which support the de-cision-makers to solve the unstructured and semi-structured decisions,this paper advances that thefunction of problem-oriented information retrieval DSS can meet the needs of enterprise’s topmanagement effectively in comparison with other information retrieval functions,in accordancewith the features of supporting information for decision.An architecture of this system is presented,which dissolves a problem put forward or recognized by the user into the problem recognized by thecomputer,forming retrieval tactics and searching the data the user needs.Designed and developedaccording to the architecture of this system,a prototype system is introduced,which is CF Econom-ic Environment Information Retrieval DSS.

C-Language Programming for Development of Conventional Water Treatment Plants Decision Support System

Water-Decision Support System (DSS) tools enhance decision-makings towards improved water supply in a given region. The rigours of manual design of the conventional water treatment plants are easily eliminated with the use of softwares as in the case of DSS. Therefore, this paper focuses on the development of a Water-DSS for design of treatment plant in Karkala Town, Udupi District of India. A four-decade population projection was made using the baseline data of 1971 till date. The manual computation for water demand, unit operations and adjoining facilities was carried out and later coded in C-programming language for development of a DSS for easier design and process selection. Data validation was done and results from the two approaches were compared. With the C-programming technique, a decision support tool for design and process selection of drinking water treatment plant using conventional method has been developed and named Water-DSS1. The designed tool is simple, accurate, flexible, efficient and universal, easily adaptable to any similar conventional treatment plant. Water-DSS1 is thus recommended for general use in ultimately alleviating water supply challenges.

GA-Fuzzy Decision Support System for Mercury Removal in Natural Waters

The idea of this research is to apply sustainability and augment efficiency of the aquatic systems by intelligent tools. This paper exploits fuzzy logic approach as a flexible methodology for providing supplementary information about mercury removal in natural waters. Fuzzy logic generates information on Hg behaviour in water according to its uptake by bio-species and adsorption by sediments. Fuzzy Decision Support System (FDSS) comprises knowledge base (i.e. premises and conclusions), fuzzy sets, and fuzzy rules. Knowledge base and rules are being built manually and by algo- rithm. GA-FDSS incorporates genetic algorithm GA to build optimal approximation for knowledge base, fuzzy sets, and rules. The role of integrating GA with FDSS is to train knowledge base and rules automatically from available data, hence FDSS models and predicts conclusion acquired. The findings of this research show more than 95% correlation between observed data and soft computed data. The optimal biological uptake occurs at pH of 5.5. The optimal sedi-ment adsorption occurs at pH of 8. The final mercury concentration calculated in natural waters is about 7 ? 10–8 mole/L. The results show that the removal efficiency of mercury by natural waters approaches 97%. Consequently the obtained fuzzy logic informative hierarchy is proficient to manage metals removal by aquatic systems.

A Numerical Solution for the Integrated Analysis of Water Resources Management: Application to the Mero River Watershed, La Coruña, Spain

This research is concerned with new developments and practical applications of a physically-based numerical model that incorporates new approaches for a finite elements solution to the steady/transient problems of the joint ground/surface water flows. Python scripts are implemented in Geographic Information System (GIS) to store, represent and take decisions on the simulated conditions related to the water resources management at the scale of the watershed. The proposed surface-subsurface model considers surface and groundwater interactions to be 2-D horizontally distributed and depth-averaged through a diffusive wave approach for surface flood routing. Infiltration rates, overland flows and evapotranspiration processes are considered by a diffuse discharge from surface water, non-saturated subsoil and groundwater table. Recent developments also allow for the management of surface water flow control through the capacity of diversion on river beds, spillways and outflow operations of floodgates in weirs and dams of reservoirs. Practical application regards the actual hydrology of the Mero River watershed, with two important water bodies mainly concerned with the water resources management at the Cecebre Reservoir and the present flooding of a deep coal mining excavation. The MELEF model (Modèle d’éLéments Fluides, in French) was adapted and calibrated during a period of five years (2008/ 2012) with the help of hydrological parameters, registered flow rates, water levels and registered precipitation, water uses and water management operations in surface and groundwater bodies. The results predict the likely evolution of the Cecebre Reservoir, the flow rates in rivers, the flooding of the Meirama open pit and the local water balances for different hydrological components.

A system dynamics approach for water resources policy analysis in arid land:a model for Manas River Basin

The Manas River Basin in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, similar to other arid regions, is facing water constraints which challenge decision-makers as to how to rationally allocate the available water resources to meet the demands from industries and natural ecosystems. Policies which integrate the supply and demand are needed to address the water stress issues. An object-oriented system dynamics model was developed to capture the interrelationships between water availability and increasing water demands from the growth of industries, agri- cultural production and the population through modeling the decision-making process of the water exploration ex- plicitly, in which water stress is used as a major indicator. The model is composed of four sectors： 1 ） natural surface and groundwater resources; 2） water demand; 3） the water exploitation process, including the decision to build reservoirs, canals and pumps; 4） water stress to which political and social systems respond through increasing the supply, limiting the growth or improving the water use efficiency. The model was calibrated using data from 1949 to 2009 for population growth, irrigated land area, industry output, perceived water stress, groundwater resources availability and the drying-out process of Manas River; and simulations were carried out from 2010 to 2050 on an annual time step. The comparison of results from calibration and observation showed that the model corresponds to observed behavior, and the simulated values fit the observed data and trends accurately. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model is robust to changes in model parameters related to population growth, land reclamation, pumping capacity and capital contribution to industry development capacity. Six scenarios were designed to inves- tigate the effectiveness of policy options in the area of reservoir relocation, urban water recycling, water demand control and groundwater pumping control. The simulation runs demonstrated that the technical solutions for im- proving water availability and water use efficiency are not sustainable. Acknowledging the carrying capacity of water resources and eliminating a growth-orientated value system are crucial for the sustainability of the Manas River Basin.

Model based decision support system for land use changes and socio-economic assessments

Hydrological models are often linked with other models in cognate sciences to understand the interactions among climate, earth, water, ecosystem, and human society. This paper presents the development and implementation of a decision support system（DSS） that links the outputs of hydrological models with real-time decision making on social-economic assessments and land use management. Discharge and glacier geometry changes were simulated with hydrological model, water availability in semiarid environments. Irrigation and ecological water were simulated by a new commercial software MIKE HYDRO. Groundwater was simulated by MODFLOW. All the outputs of theses hydrological models were taken as inputs into the DSS in three types of links： regression equations, stationary data inputs, or dynamic data inputs as the models running parallel in the simulation periods. The DSS integrates the hydrological data, geographic data, social and economic statistical data, and establishes the relationships with equations, conditional statements and fuzzy logics. The programming is realized in C＋＋. The DSS has four remarkable features：（1） editable land use maps to assist decision-making;（2） conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources;（3） interactions among water, earth, ecosystem, and humans; and（4） links with hydrological models. The overall goal of the DSS is to combine the outputs of scientific models, knowledge of experts, and perspectives of stakeholders, into a computer-based system, which allows sustainability impact assessment within regional planning; and to understand ecosystem services and integrate them into land and water management.

A Decision Support System for Economic Development and Price Reform

In this paper, we present a real decision support system applied to China's macroeconomic management. The structure, design and functions of the system are discussed, and the problems occurring in designing and making the system are also studied. A case study for China's petroleum price reform is given at the end of the paper.

A Model-Based, Aspiration-Led Decision Support System NY-IEDSS

An AI-aided simulation system embedded in a model-based, aspiration-led decision support system NY-IEDSS is reported. The NY-IEDSS is designed for mid-term development strategic study of the Nanyang Region in Henan, China, and is getting beyond its prototype stage under the decision maker's (the end user) orientation. The integration of simulation model system, decision analysis and expert system for decision support in the system implementation was reviewed. The intent of the paper is to provide insight as to how system capability and acceptability can be enhanced by this integration. Moreover, emphasis is placed on problem orientation in applying the method.

Pricing Decision Support System for Generation Companies in Electricity Market

In order to meet the requirement of separating power plants from power network and that of the competition based power transaction in power market, the pricing decision support system for generation companies (GCPDSS) is built in electricity market. This paper introduces the conception of intelligent decision support system (IDSS) and puts emphasis on the systematical structural framework, work process, design principal, and fundamental function of GCPDSS. The system has the module to analyze the cost, to forecast the demand of power, to construct the pricing strategies, to manage the pricing risk, and to dispatch giving the pricing strategies. The case study illustrates that the friendly window-based user interface of the system enables the user to take full advantage of the capabilities of the system in order to make effective real-time decisions.

Sustainable Water Resources Management: River Basin Modelling and Decision Support Framework

Sustainability is a key objective of water resources management and this paper describes a modelling and decision support framework that achieves this, illustrated by applications on the UK Thames and Mekong river basins. The decision support framework contains several modules, including an interactive user＇s interface linked to a GIS, a geo-database, knowledge base, simulation models and optimization procedures. Based on the analysis of scenarios and proposed interventions, efficient modelling and optimization tools form a comprehensive integrated decision support framework for the analysis and operational management of water resources in the river basin, our emphasis has been on a practical implementation through careful screening of alternatives, consideration of the institutional framework and direct involvement of stakeholders in the decision making process. Operating in this environment is transparent, reproducible and auditable, securing the trust of all interested parties. This paper discusses its applications to water utilisation on the Mekong river basin and drought management of the Lower Thames stored reservoir system.