Documents database

A revised version of the report: "Priority issues in the Mediterranean environment" is available now at the website of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, which scans existing and emerging pollution issues, draws a picture at the regional level but also provides an environmental profile for each of the Mediterranean countries. Download it.

The MEDSTAT-Environment project II (MED-Env II), implemented between 2003 and 2006 under the regional MEDA statistics cooperation programme (MEDSTAT), has presented the publication “Environmental statistics in the Mediterranean countries - Compendium 2005” during its final forum, held in Amman, Jordan, on the 13^th and 14^th June 2006.

The publication is the second environmental statistics compendium produced by UNEP/MAP Blue Plan, the implementing agency for the MEDSTAT-Environment project (MED-Env), in collaboration with the EC EuropeAid Cooperation Office and Eurostat. It has been compiled on the basis of data coming from the national statistics offices (NSOs) of twelve Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Syria Cyprus, Malta and Turkey).

The work carried out during the three years of the second phase of the MEDSTAT Environment project aimed at reinforcing and consolidating the institutional capacities of Mediterranean countries to produce national statistics that are recent, relevant, reliable and comparable from one country to the next because they have been harmonised according to international and European standards, while conserving the essential local specificities. In the first phase the project concentrated on the topics of water, waste and land use, while this second phase concentrated its activities on air pollutant emissions, biodiversity and the calculation of environmental indicators for sustainable development.

By the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). © UNESCO-WWAP 2006.

The triennial UN World Water Development Report is a joint undertaking of 24 UN agencies comprising UN-Water in partnership with governments and other stakeholders, and coordinated by WWAP. Chapter 13, coordinated by the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education focuses on how the collection, dissemination and exchange of water related data, information and know-how are imbalanced and, in many cases, deteriorating. The chapter explains that it is now more urgent than ever to improve the state of knowledge concerning water-related issues through an effective global network of research, training and data collection and by implementing more adaptive, informed, and participatory approaches at all levels.

The Eastern and the South-Eastern parts of Morocco constitute two regions which present many common characters on several levels. Apart from some greenery “ islands” of very limited extension favoured by height, the rest of this vast territory is rather homogeneous at the level of landscapes, which are characterized by considerable aridity. The ecosystems are fragile and sensitive to various changes, natural as well as anthropological. The important changes, especially those related to human activities, arose only during the twentieth century. If the vegetation cover and its edaphic support are the most affected by socio-spatial mutations, the water resources do not remain less perturbed.

Contact: Abderrahmane EL HARRADJI, Laboratoire de Géographie Physique
Département de Géographie, Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines
Université Mohammed Premier, B.P. 457, - 60000-Oujda, Maroc

The book provides a compilation of over 5000 terms, organizations and acronyms, drawn from hundreds of official sources. An introductory essay frames the major issues in GEG and outlines the pitfalls of talking past one another when discussing the most critical of issues facing the planet.
The result is a practical tool that should find a central place on the desk of anyone involved in environmental management, development or sustainability issues anywhere in the world, including the United Nations, government policy makers, NGOs and other stakeholder groups, the business community, and students and professionals.

Review copies are available for book review editors (journals, newspapers, newsletters, websites etc.) and inspection copies are available for course leaders. Get in touch with gudrun.freese@earthscan.co.uk

The total area of the Syrian Arab Republic is 18.5 million hectares out of which 6 million hectares are
cultivable and the remainder area is steppe and rocky mountains. The Syrian desert is suitable for grass growing and it is used as pastures during the years of sufficient rainfall. The climate is Mediterranean and characterized by rainy winters and dry and hot summers. From the climatic point of view, Syria could be divided into four regions according to the rainfall which is affected by the Syrian mountainous ranges and the Western Lebanese mountains. The coastal area is characterized by heavy rainfall in winters and moderate temperature and high relative humidity in summer. The interior area is characterized by rainy winters and hot and dry summers, and daily big differences between the maximum and minimum temperature.
Water basin resources are distributed as follows: Al jazeera, Aleppo (Quaick and Al jabbool), Al-Badia (Palmyra, Khanaser, Al zelf, Wadi el miah, Al rassafa, Al talf, Assabe’ biar), Horan (Al yarmook), Damascus, Al-Aassi (Orontes), and Al-Sahel basins. Rainfall and snowfall represent the major water supply for these basins except for al-jazeera and Al-Aassi basins, whose main sources are located in the neighboring countries. The three main water resources are (1) rivers, (2) lakes, and (3) dams.

Contact: Bashar Akkad, Ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Réforme Agraire, 7th floor, Akkad Building, Jaber Street, Tijara-Damas (Syrie)

Drought is one of the major environmental disasters in various parts of the world. Quantification of drought distribution in space and time is very difficult. Usually, the severity of droughts can be assessed with meteorological based indices (e.g., the standardised precipitation index), or satellite based indices (e.g., vegetation indices). But the former fail to capture short-term variation and the latter is difficult to interpret for heterogeneous terrain.
This presentation proposes a methdology for quantitative drought monitoring with remote sensing data. Many important applications are possible (floods and droughts, water – climate feedbacks). Sensors such as SMOS provide exciting opportunities for earth observation of water cycle components and applications (e.g. drought monitoring and prediction).

See: 'Water Cycle Research' cluster & Dragon Drought Monitoring.

Unsuitable changes in land use and improper rangeland resource management can have significant
impacts on hydrology, water quality, and other aspects of the environment. This was assessed and
confirmed for the Moroccan Rif mountains. This ecosystem is characterized by aggressive climate,
rough terrain and increasing human pressure on the forests and natural rangelands. Increased runoff, land erosion and average sediment yields exceeding 4000T/km2/y are today the symptoms of unsustainable agropastoral systems widely spreading in the Rif Mountains. A long term experimental watershed monitoring program and a GIS-based decision support system have been developed for the western part of the Rif mountains to examine the effects of agriculture encroachment and rangelands degradation on the hydrology and water quality. Results obtained confirmed the hypothesis of the hydrologic responses of the land degradation and provided simulation models needed for monitoring and evaluation. Many of the parameters and processes affecting watershed hydrology and water quality are dynamic and vary spatially. Thus, GIS and remote sensing have been integrated with models, large databases, and other information systems tools to create a decisionsupport system for proper watershed management.

Contact:Merzouk1 A., Alami1 M.M., Berkat1 O. and Sabir2 M.
1 Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, BP:6202-Instituts, Rabat, Morocco
2 Ecole Nationale Forestière d’Ingénieurs (ENFI), Tabriquet, Salé, Morocco

Development of groundwater indicators has been taken up by UNESCO under the Sixth Phase of the International Hydrological Programme (IHP), Theme 2: Integrated Watershed and Aquifer Dynamics. This effort also draws in the expertise and support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). These organizations together also draw in support of a group of select professionals and have formed a groundwater indicators working group (WG) composed of UNESCO, IAEA and IAH experts. The WG has thoroughly reviewed the issues raised in the first World Water development Report (WWDR) and, at the outset, maintained the need for taking a longerterm horizon for groundwater indicator development. The indicators proposed in this report, although simple, are both scientifically-based and policy-relevant. As agreed during the UN system-wide meetings on indicator development at FAO-Rome (2002) and UNESCO-Paris (2004) and groundwater indicator WG meetings at Paris-UNESCO (2002), Vienna-IAEA (2003), Paris-UNESCO (2004) and Utrecht-IGRAC (2004), a balanced scientific and policy-based approach has been employed in deriving groundwater indicators. The set of groundwater indicators presented in this report is a short-list derived from over one hundred conceptual water related indicators. These have been short-listed based on some of the problems and caveats as noted above. It is expected that the third edition of the WWDR will fully utilize the set of groundwater indicators for comparing and contrasting the groundwater situation around the world.

The 2006 Human Development Report (HDR) “Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis” was launched last December 4, 2006 at the Peninsula Manila, Makati City. This year’s Human Development Report looks at an issue that profoundly influences human potential and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Its central theme is “Water for Life, Water for Livelihood.”  HDR is an independent report commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is the product of the work of a selected team of leading scholars, development practitioners and members of the Human Development Report Office of UNDP. The Report is translated into more than a dozen languages and launched in more than 100 countries annually. The HDR 2006 discusses how water is essential to human existence and confronts issues on water crisis such as water shortage, cost of access to water and sanitation and human rights to safe water access. UNDP's Human Development Report 2006 emphasises that water and sanitation issues are not exclusively related to environment and health problems but is also one of the most important engines for human development. Sida is appreciative of the fact that the report studys water and sanitation issues in a larger scope and thinks that the report can be a good help in communication with partner countries.

Copyright © 2006 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

This book provides a unique coverage of the hydrology and water resources of Africa, including the neighbouring islands. The contents are covered in fourteen chapters. The volume contains a CD-ROM with raw meteorological, hydrometric and water quality data. Emphasis is laid on the components of the hydrological cycle; precipitation, evaporation and runoff of both land and insular Africa. The hydrologic characteristics of sixteen rivers and wadi basins of different sizes are presented and discussed. In addition, hydrology of lakes, and other wetlands and storage reservoirs are presented. Furthermore, the principal groundwater aquifers are reviewed.

Last, but not least, the role of water resources in the overall development of Africa is highlighted.

Audience: This volume should appeal to researchers and professionals working in the fields of civil and agricultural engineering, physical geography, African studies, and those interested in surface and groundwater resources in Africa.

WRC Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (2007). Integrated water resource management plan guidelines for local authorities. Gezina, South Africa, Water Research Commission. (WRC report; no. TT 304/07). – x, 156 p. : 4 fig., 12 tab. – 47 ref. – Includes glossary of terms. - ISBN 9781770055483

The Guideline provides a tool to assist Local Authorities to meet the challenge of striking the right balance between their developmental role and the need to maintain environmental integrity in fulfilling the Constitutional obligations of sustainable development, socio-economic development and a safe and healthy environment, align with the Water Management Area’s Catchment Management Strategy and apply for the necessary water use authorisations. An Integrated Water Resource Management Plan aims to provide an all encompassing Water Management Plan that serves either as a stand alone document or as a supplement to the Water Services Development Plan and Integrated Waste Management Plan. Implementation of the Plan will be a positive step forward in ensuring that Local Authorities achieve sustainable integrated water resource management in line with the catchment vision set by the Catchment Management Agency. The book consists of an introduction to integrated water resource management from a Local Authority perspective and the Guideline for the preparation of an Integrated Water Resource Management Plan.

In response to the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act and other statutory requirements, the United States has emphasized access to drinking water and sanitation in its foreign assistance programs. Support for drinking water supply, sanitation, and hygiene will increase in FY 2008 and will expand to cover more countries—many among the most in need. The Act has also helped focus U.S. efforts on water and sanitation and provides an important opportunity to strengthen the U.S. response to the global water challenge.

This is the third report to Congress since the passage of the WfP Act. It builds upon the two previous reports (available at www.state.gov/g/oes/water). Chapter One provides an overview of the global water challenge and the U.S. response within the context of U.S. foreign assistance and the water sector as a whole, and introduces the joint USAID-Department of State Strategic Framework on Water (Annex A). Chapter Two highlights key results and reports on U.S. assistance in the water sector for the 2007 fiscal year (FY). Finally, Chapter Three describes guidelines developed to comply with the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act as well as regional strategies for addressing water issues in FY 2008.

The book focuses on the relationship between management of groundwater quality and protection of public health.  In the context of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, including the application of Water Safety Plans. Protecting Groundwater for Health covers a comprehensive analysis of natural and man-made hazards and tools available for effective protection and management of groundwater. 

With the editorial support of KWB, the ISMAR5 conference proceedings were completed at the end of 2006. On 1000 pages, more than 60 authors from 44 countries provide a comprehensive overview on the state-of-the-art in the field of the management of groundwater recharge systems.

The report is subdivided into 7 main topics: recharge systems, geochemistry during infiltration and flow, modelling aspects and groundwater hydraulics, health aspects, clogging effects, case studies, sustainability of managing recharge systems. The proceedings are available online.

J. Wessels and R.J.A. Hoogeveen. Paper presented at the UNU/UNESCO/ICARDA international workshop ‘Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands, application of indigenous knowledge for coastal drylands’, September 2002

This paper describes the research and action undertaken by an international research team at International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) that conducted a nation-wide survey of Syrian qanats in 2001. Within the framework of the United Nations University (UNU) project on traditional water management, some of the most important qanats sites were re-visited in August 2002. It was found that some have considerably decreased in flow during the last half-year and are at the verge of extinction. Ironically, qanats that have been flowing for 1500 years have been drying up over the last 15 years. What is the benefit of this sustainable water supply system in this time of ecological farming, increasing environmental awareness and within a changing social and economic environment?

Implementation of Indirect Research Activities of the 6th Framework programes of the European Community (EC) and of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM).

See all the reports.

With the scarcity of water on the rise in the Mid-East Region, there is a continuous need for the provision of new water resources. Non-traditional approaches, however, have to be deployed in order to provide such resources. Water savings and increased efficient use of water, including wastewater, is one such approach. To reach optimal levels of water savings, it is necessary to involve the different sectors of the community from the affected countries. Such approach creates a larger sense of awareness and belonging toward a common problem. Once such attitude is attained, the water problem will become a vital part of the daily lives of the peoples of the region, thus furnishing grounds for a sustainable “Culture of Water”. This project contributed to increased awareness and understanding of the problem, whilst suggesting practical solutions.

The 2007 DATA Report continues the format introduced in the first DATA Report in 2006. Rather than meke the case for what more must be done, it clarifies and offers specific interpretations of the commitments made in Gleneagles, so the G8's progress towards these 2010 goals can be tracked.

This year's report updates our analysis on dept, development assistance, trade and HIV/AIDS, while adding analysis on additional health comitments, water and sanitation, education, governance, and peace and security.

This new report by Henri Smets aims to show the legal ramifications of acknowledging the right to water in domestic law through an examination of States’ practices in this field. The Académie de l’eau hopes that this study will contribute to a better understanding of the scope of the right to water. It offers Henri Smets its sincere thanks for his analysis of measures that contribute to making water available to all in sufficient quality and quantity.

© AFD 2006 The Right to Water in National Legislations

The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) is an international partnership to help the poor gained sustained access to improved water and sanitation services. At WSP we would like to see a world where all people have sustainable access to and effectively use reliable, safe, and affordable water and sanitation services.

Permit trading systems are often the centre of current interest and activity in the creation of market-based environmental instruments as it is assumed that these systems can offer significant advantages over conventional approaches to pollution control. Economic investigation of permit trading systems often focuses on case studies for air pollution control. Such permit trading systems also exist for water pollution control, in form of water quality trading systems.

The fact that pressure is being put on the quality of water resources in many countries resulting in serious problems means that there is a need to analyse the application of this instrument to control water pollution of rivers in more detail in order to identify its potential.

Water sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources

Groundwater Recharge
Morphology and Channel Processes
Recycle and Reuse of Domestic Wastewater
The Hydrological Cycle and Human Impact on it
Tsunamis and Tsunami-Warning Systems