Management of Hydrological Systems: Analysis and perspective of the contingent valuation of water for mountain basins

by Holger Benavides Muñoz, Jorge Arias Zari, Andreas Fries, José Sánchez-Paladines, Antonio Gallegos Reina

Overview

The contingent valuation of water is one of the key components when wanting to implement proposals for integrated water management in mountain basins. Management of Hydrological Systems (MHS), is one of the great challenges that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) currently demand. Mainly in mountain basins with fragile ecosystems that face strong pressures such as poverty, urban and population growth, low water supply and sanitation, and climate change.

Management of Hydrological Systems aims for sustainable water management, through contingent water valuation, showing the reader in a didactic way the procedure to follow in mountain basins. This book offers a complete characterization of the main problems affecting this type of basin, as well as the detailed procedure of the contingent valuation of water, which directly involves users. As such, this work is offered in relation to this urgent need for practical guidance demanded by society (SDGs), and is based on practical and real examples, rather than theoretical constructions, from places where these issues have not been widely addressed.

The text is recommended as a way forward, not only for water resource managers and decision- and policymakers but also for students and teachers who wish to implement this MHS guide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367897956
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	05/18/2020
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.88(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Holger Benavides Muñoz, Jorge Arias Zari, Andreas Fries, José Sánchez-Paladines, Antonio Gallegos Reina, Racquel Hernández Ocampo, Pablo Ochoa Cueva

Table of Contents

List of tables vii

List of figures ix

Affiliations of authors xiii

Acknowledgments xv

1 Introduction Holger Benavides-Muñoz Jorge Arias-Zari José Sánchez-Paladines 1

1.1 Justification and problems 1

1.2 Objectives 3

1.3 Hypotheses 3

2 Baseline of study Andreas Fries Holger Benavides-Muñoz Antonio Gallegos Reina Jorge Arias-Zari José Sánchez-Paladines Pablo Ochoa-Cueva 5

2.1 Hydrological system 5

2.2 Climate of Ecuador 9

2.3 Climate of Loja 15

2.4 Solar radiation 18

2.5 Air temperature 20

2.6 Potential evapotranspiration 22

2.7 Relative humidity 22

2.8 Precipitation 24

2.9 Hydrologic balance 26

2.10 Case of hydrological study 27

2.11 Hydrological-hydraulic study and risk of flooding in the Zamora Huayco basin 39

2.12 Soil erosion 55

3 Market study on drinking water Holger Benavides-Muñoz Jorge Arias-Zari José Sánchez-Paladines 61

3.1 Universe and samples in market studies 61

3.2 Characteristics of the surveys applied in market studies 63

4 Contingent valuation of the water service Holger Benavides-Muñoz Jorge Arias-Zari José Sánchez-Paladines 69

4.1 Independent variables (categorical and continuous) vs. the dependent variable 69

4.2 Financial evaluation - environmental 76

5 Background and environmental problems Raquel Hernández-Ocampo 87

5.1 Environmental problems in the southern region of Ecuador 89

5.2 Demand for water in El Carmen and San Simón micro-basins 93

5.3 Perspectives on this natural environment 95

6 Climate change Andreas Fries 97

6.1 General overview 97

6.2 Climate change in Loja 101

7 Conclusions and recommendations Holger Benavides-Muñoz 113

7.1 Conclusions 113

7.2 Recommendations 114

Bibliography 115

Annexes 121

Editorial Reviews

This is a very competently conducted economic/water resources case study of an equatorial mountain agricultural basin in Ecuador that is suffering from water stress. The study unites many tools for analysis of the water cycle with a market study to determine the value of water for different sectors or categories of consumers, for the general purpose of achieving a sustainable water supply. The book is well produced and features many color plates, including graphs, maps, and photographs. Each chapter is coauthored by one to three of the six other contributing authors, some in collaboration with Benavides Muñoz (Univ. Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador). All are academics except one, described as a freelance economist. One chapter in particular occupies almost half of the volume, providing a complete hydrologic/climatological assessment of the region. Other chapters cover various economic aspects including a drinking water market study and water service valuation. Two shorter chapters describe local environmental issues and climate change trends. The book concludes by drawing specific conclusions and recommendations for the case at hand. This work will be of use to professionals with similar problems to solve, and to advanced academics as a case study.

Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.

D.A. Vaccari (Stevens Institute of Technology) in CHOICE, April 2021, Vol. 58, No. 8

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