Research on Water Resources Conservation of Mountain River Based on the Concept of Region Partition

Presently concepts and methods related to water resources conservation of mountain rivers are seriously insufficient,and its level is far from being adaptable to the development of a harmonious society.As mountain ecosystems play a key role in water resources conservation of mountain rivers,and the characteristics of mountain ecosystems and hydrologic features of mountain river follow strong temporal and spatial distribution,partition theory can be applied to the water resources conservation of mountain river.This theory observes the following partition principles:regional relativity,spatial continuity,integralcounty,meeting management needs,hierarchical principle,and comparability principle.And it lays equal emphasis on both water resources conservation and environmental protection,on both water quality conservation and water quantity protection,on the combination of water features,water cycle and water pollution.In the partition methods,index method and map superposition method will be applied in region partition.The example of region partition of water resources conservation in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River shows that the partition theory is practicable in water resources conservation of mountain rivers,and it provides a platform for future study in water resources conservation.

Evaluation of Potential Impacts of Agricultural Policy Reforms on Sustainability of Groundwater Resources of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has achieved extensive development and expansion in agriculture sector and achieved self sufficiency in a number of agricultural crops including wheat, fodders, dates, some vegetables and fruits. Considering the future growing need for food and water, government of Saudi Arabia has formulated and implemented a number of policy reforms for conservation, optimal utilization and sustainable development of natural resources of the Kingdom. The present study focuses on potential future impacts on natural resources conservations and strategic planning due to recent policy reforms （Council of Ministers （CoM） on Water Resources Management and Conservation （Decision No. 335）） issued on September 2008. The modeling of wheat agriculture was performed based on detailed analysis of water application practices in wheat growing regions/districts and future projection of wheat irrigation in context of recent government water resources conservation strategy. The results clearly indicated a significant positive impact will be occurred in terms of huge relief on highly stressed and limited national strategic groundwater resources. The present study estimated a saving and conservation of more than 51.0 billion cubic meters （BCM） of non-renewable groundwater resources during next 11 years.

Evaluation on the Essentiality Grades of Water Conserving in Tibet, China

Taking Tibet as an example, the functional essentiality degrees of water resources conserving of regions were discussed in this paper. At first, based on the status of regional vegetation, whether the region has the function of water conserving was made certain. And then, according to the impacted objects of water resources conserving, taking into account the demands for water and regional supply capacities of water and the requirement of environmental protection, the functional grades of regional water resources conserving of Tibet were evaluated in this paper.

The centrality of water resources to the realization of Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).A review of potentials and constraints on the African continent

Africa is endowed with vast water resources including but not limited to lakes,rivers,swamps and underground aquifers.However,the way of life in Africa does not reflect this kind of wealth owing majorly to degradation and underutilization of these water resources.This review discusses the centrality of water resources in Africa's pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).Following the Sustainable Development Model,the paper thematically examines and synthesizes the importance and potentials of water resources to Africa's development through exploring their contributions and limitations to the various economic sectors namely;agricultural and livestock production,energy,manufacturing and processing,tourism,health,fisheries,trade and other institutional mechanisms such as payment for ecosystem services(PES),mutual cooperation and economic cooperation.Data were collected by review of online peer-reviewed and grey literature published between the year 2000 and 2015.It is observed that sustainable management of water and sanitation for all(SDG 6)will be central to the attainment of all the other SDGs(particularly SDG 1(No poverty),2(No hunger),3(Good health),14(life below water)and 15(life on land))across Africa.African states should therefore increase their commitment to water conservation and management as this will significantly decide Africa's future development paths.