Statutes and Bye-laws of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

Abstract

A baseflow recession constant, which can be derived from a simple exponential equation, is used to characterize the behaviour of low flows. Its derivation and quantification is important to the water industry. The use of a computer statistical package that speeds up its derivation has been tried and found to be more effective than the present tedious manual and subjective techniques. It is therefore advocated in this paper.     

Facts about the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

ABSTRACT

Despite several studies of spatial and temporal variation in water temperature characteristics, few investigations of longer-term water temperature behaviour in Britain rivers have been undertaken. This paper reports the results from a 10-year study of river water temperatures at three monitoring stations on the River Exe, Devon, UK. Data concerning annual statistics, seasonal regime, diurnal variation, duration characteristics and accumulated temperature are analysed and reveal essentially stable water temperature behaviour over the decade 1974–1983. Contrasts between monitoring stations are also evident and reflect the effects of regional and more local controls as well as the influence of hydrological factors. In spite of these differences, water temperature behaviour is largely synchronous across this river system.     

Assessment of Management Options in Marine Fisheries by Qualitative Modelling Techniques

An effective management of the rapidly dwindling marine fish resources is of great ecological, economic and social importance for the future. An over-development of commercial fisheries has brought about a multitude of negative environmental impacts, such as an accelerated exploitation of stocks or a decrease of marine biodiversity, and furthermore, a profound structural change in fish industry. However, the main reason for the non-prosperous rationing of marine resources is the lack of knowledge about certain processes as well as the non-availability of adequate steering instruments. This paper addresses the lack of conceptualization in the case of uncertain knowledge. It proposes a model approach which can be used for weak but improved decision support under the premise of vague knowledge. The usage of qualitative differential equations illustrates general patterns of overcapitalization of fishing fleets. The extension of traditional model approaches by integration of additional socio-economic phenomena in this context supplies deeper insights in the dynamics of a coupled economic and ecological system. The approach provides a set of characteristic system behaviours which can be fruitfully used for the development of future management tasks.     

欧洲洪水影响评价技术在长江流域的运用及其若干修正

本文回顾了欧洲洪水影响评价技术.突出的问题是怎样处理洪灾及如何使洪灾损失降到最低.很明显在长江流域开展洪水风险和潜在的损失评价非常有意义.而现有的欧洲洪水影响评价技术难以在长江流域直接运用.我们对其进行了若干修正,并引入了基于GIS/RS的综合水文水动力和最小损失评价模型,该模型己经较好地运用于长江流域洪水影响评价的研究项目.     

A Marine Biotic Index to Establish the Ecological Quality of Soft-Bottom Benthos Within European Estuarine and Coastal Environments

In this paper, a marine Biotic Index (BI) for soft-bottom benthos of European estuarine and coastal environments is proposed. This is derived from the proportions of individual abundance in five ecological groups, which are related to the degree of sensitivity/tolerance to an environmental stress gradient. The main difference with previously published indices is the use of a simple formula that produces a continuous Biotic Coefficient (BC) – which makes it more suitable for statistical analysis, in opposition with previous discreet biotic indices – not affected by subjectivity. Relationships between this coefficient and a complementary BI with several environmental variables are discussed. Finally, a validation of the proposed index is made with data from systems affected by recent human disturbances, showing that different anthropogenic changes in the environment can be detected through the use of this BI.     

Converting science to policy through stakeholder involvement: an analysis of the European Marine Strategy Directive

The Marine Strategy Directive requires European Union Member States to develop science-based marine strategies with the involvement of stakeholders, in order that Europe’s marine environment reaches ‘good environmental status’ by 2021. The scientific requirements of marine strategies are clearly defined within the Directive, however, the requirements related to stakeholder involvement are not. This paper presents a critical analysis of the provisions for stakeholder involvement with in the Marine Strategy Directive. In particular, the paper is focused upon the definition of stakeholder, the sequencing of involvement, and the form and purpose of involvement. The critique is set within an evaluative framework that considers policy-making to be a social process, rather than a purely scientific one. It is concluded that the Marine Strategy Directive lacks coherency with respect to stakeholder involvement which may perpetuate the traditional tension between marine science and policy. This in turn may compromise the ability of the Directive to protect Europe’s marine environment.     

Adaptation of water resources systems to changing society and environment: a statement by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

ABSTRACT

We explore how to address the challenges of adaptation of water resources systems under changing conditions by supporting flexible, resilient and low-regret solutions, coupled with on-going monitoring and evaluation. This will require improved understanding of the linkages between biophysical and social aspects in order to better anticipate the possible future co-evolution of water systems and society. We also present a call to enhance the dialogue and foster the actions of governments, the international scientific community, research funding agencies and additional stakeholders in order to develop effective solutions to support water resources systems adaptation. Finally, we call the scientific community to a renewed and unified effort to deliver an innovative message to stakeholders. Water science is essential to resolve the water crisis, but the effectiveness of solutions depends, inter alia, on the capability of scientists to deliver a new, coherent and technical vision for the future development of water systems.

EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis; ASSOCIATE EDITOR not assigned     

Adaptation of water resources systems to changing society and environment: a statement by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

ABSTRACT

We explore how to address the challenges of adaptation of water resources systems under changing conditions by supporting flexible, resilient and low-regret solutions, coupled with on-going monitoring and evaluation. This will require improved understanding of the linkages between biophysical and social aspects in order to better anticipate the possible future co-evolution of water systems and society. We also present a call to enhance the dialogue and foster the actions of governments, the international scientific community, research funding agencies and additional stakeholders in order to develop effective solutions to support water resources systems adaptation. Finally, we call the scientific community to a renewed and unified effort to deliver an innovative message to stakeholders. Water science is essential to resolve the water crisis, but the effectiveness of solutions depends, inter alia, on the capability of scientists to deliver a new, coherent and technical vision for the future development of water systems.

EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis; ASSOCIATE EDITOR not assigned     

The application of a Marine Biotic Index to different impact sources affecting soft-bottom benthic communities along European coasts

Following the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), the authors proposed, in a previous contribution, a Marine Biotic Coefficient (BC) to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos within European estuarine and coastal environments. The present study examines the application of the BC to the Atlantic (North Sea; Bay of Biscay; South of Spain) and Mediterranean (Spain and Greece) European coasts. The investigation assesses also the usefulness of the BC, in relation to different impact sources (e.g. drilling cuts with ester-based mud, submarine outfalls, heavy metals, industrial and mining wastes, jetties and sewerage works). The results obtained are consistent with those obtained using several methods and parameters, such as richness, diversity, evenness, Abundance-Biomass comparison plots and univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The BC values provide a simple and clearly defined way to establish the ecological quality of soft-bottom benthos, complementary to the above mentioned methods.     

Marine quality assessment by use of benthic species-abundance distributions: a proposed new protocol within the European Union Water Framework Directive

The aim of this study is to develop a new method for classification of marine benthic quality according to the European Union Water Framework Directive. Tolerance values to environmental disturbance were determined in an objective analysis for benthic species along the Swedish west coast by using 4676 samples from 257 stations. Based on a combination of the species tolerance values, abundance and diversity, a benthic quality index (BQI) was calculated for the assessment of environmental status at a particular station. The qualification of BQI was evaluated in relation to known spatial and temporal gradients of disturbance.     

印度地球科学部战略目标及实施行动(2012—2013)

引言根据新修订的印度地球科学部2012—2013年度战略目标实施框架文件,2012—2013年印度地球科学部设定了12项主体战略目标,其中优先性最高的目标4项,分别涉及气象预测与应用服务、海洋科考和海洋信息咨询、极地科学研究以及海洋资源开发。1总体目标及任务1.1总体目标面向南亚次大陆及印度洋地区经济社会发展,推动地球系统科学领域的知识及技术进步。总体任务