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Liquid water still remains an ubiquitous liquid whose molecular organization requires careful investigation. In this work, we present a study of the second harmonic scattering (SHS) intensity for two different scattering angles, namely, the forward and the right angle geometries. This method performed at optical wavelengths is indeed selective toward long correlation lengths. A polarization analysis demonstrates that it is then possible to clearly evidence a coherent component to the total SHS intensity using a fast Fourier transform analysis of the SHS intensity as a function of the fundamental angle of polarization despite its weak relative contribution. A model is then derived based on the rotational invariants to fully unravel the different contributions to the SHS intensity for the two right angle and forward angles of scattering as well as the dependence with the fundamental beam polarization angle. This model fully supports the experimental results, further confirming an azimuthal geometry of the water–water orientational correlation function in neat water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity and drought have determined the structure, location, and fate of civilizations throughout history. Drought remains an important factor in the performance of developed and developing economies, especially in the agricultural sector. While significant attention has been paid to drought as a meteorological phenomenon and on its economic impact, comparative institutional analysis of the economics of drought is limited. In this review, we focus on how economic institutions, the humanly devised constraints that shape the allocation and use of water, impact the severity and incidence of droughts. Water property rights in developed countries encourage infrastructure investments and reallocations that mitigate drought impacts, although such institutions may codify inequitable water access during drought. Developing economies rely more on informal strategies for mitigating drought and remain more vulnerable, experiencing economic losses, conflict, and violence.

[Objective] The aims of this study are to explore the runoff evolution and driving factors in the typical Yangtze River basin under changing environment, to quantify the contribution rate of climate change and underlying surface change to the runoff change in the basin, and to provide scientific basis for the optimal allocation of water resources and basin management in the Baishuijiang River basin. [Method] Mann-Kendall trend test, cross wavelet analysis and Budyko theory were used to explore the evolution pattern of annual runoff and its influencing factors in Baishui River Basin from 1970 to 2016. [Results] (1) The annual runoff in the Baishui River Basin showed a significant (p＜0.05) decreasing trend, and the year of sudden changes in runoff and precipitation was all in 1994. (2) There was a positive correlation between annual runoff and annual precipitation in the Baishui River Basin. The runoff depth was the most sensitive to annual precipitation in the influence period (1995—2016) compared with the base period (1970—1994), followed by potential evapotranspiration and underlying surface parameters. (3) The contribution rates of underlying surface, annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration to runoff in Baishui River Basin were quantitatively analyzed. Among them, the contribution rate of underlying surface was 46.14%, the contribution rate of precipitation was 41.02%, and the contribution rate of potential evapotranspiration was 12.84%. [Conclusion] The annual runoff and annual precipitation in the Baishui River Basin showed a downward trend from 1970 to 2016. The driving factors of runoff in the Baishui River Basin were due to the combined effects of climate and human activities. Precipitation was the main climatic factor leading to the decrease of runoff in Baishui River Basin, and the change of underlying surface was a key factor for the decrease of runoff in Baishui River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uneven spatial distribution and irrational allocation of water resources pose significant challenges to economic development and ecological environment in Jiulong River Basin, Fujian, China. In this study, a Type-2 fuzzy bi-level programming (T2FBL) method was developed to optimize the water resource system in the Jiulong River Basin. Future data for the water resources system were predicted using the back-propagation neural network method. The results were analyzed and evaluated using a new multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Additionally, the entropy weight and technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods were combined with MCDA to develop the entropy weight TOPSIS method. With the goal of optimizing the water allocation structure in different regions to alleviate water supply pressure, the proposed model uses an improved fuzzy sorting algorithm to address uncertain parameters in the water resources system and considers the conflicting intersections of decision makers at two levels in a bi-level programming model. The results revealed the following: (1) priority was given to adjusting the water distribution structure in Zhangzhou and Longyan in China while developing secondary industries to promote regional economic development; (2) analysis and evaluation of the results of water allocation using the novel MCDA methodology indicated that the optimal scenario resulted in 51.4% increase in tertiary output; and (3) the calculation results of the T2FBL model were analyzed to establish the relationship between water resource allocation, and economic and environmental benefits, essentially serving as a reference for water resource planning. Moreover, this model reduced wastewater discharge by up to approximately 8.2% compared with the fuzzy single-level programming and bi-level programming models. Practical Applications: The increasing problem of water shortages due to the uneven distribution of water resources is impacting the good development of society. This case study proposed a water allocation model that not only alleviated the conflict between economic and environmental benefits but also addressed the uncertainty in the allocation process. In the water allocation process, decision-makers could set two objective functions and use a bi-level programming approach to protect the environment while ensuring economic development. In addition, due to anthropogenic factors, rainfall, and other influences that introduce uncertainty into the total water allocation, a Type-2 fuzzy programming method was introduced to make the results of the study more reasonable. Finally, a multicriteria decision analysis approach that could score different solutions was used to produce the optimal solution with the highest score. This study provided a reference for decision-makers to make a more reasonable allocation of water resources, reduce unnecessary waste, and alleviate the problem of water shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To solve the prominent problem of water supply and demand contradictions, enhance water resource security capabilities, and improve economic, social, and ecological benefits, this paper comprehensively analyzes the water resource situation in Wu'an City and proposes a method for calculating the rigid water demand and total water demand threshold for the whole city and a method for calculating the water supply capacity of multiple water sources. At the same time, taking economic, social, and ecological benefits as the objective function and water resource allocation rules, water supply balance, water supply capacity, total water consumption, water consumption per Chinese Yuan (CNY) 10,000 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), water consumption per CNY 10,000 of industrial added value, and non-negative as constraints, the water resource optimization allocation model for Wu'an City was constructed, and the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm III (NSGA-III) combined with the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOSPIS) was used to solve it. The results show that the rigid water demand of Wu'an City is met, the Gini coefficient of water supply satisfaction and ecological water shortage in the flat water scenario are both 0, the overall difference in water supply satisfaction of each township is very small, and the ecological water demand is met. Under the current situation, Wu'an City basically achieves a regional supply and demand balance, which can increase water supply by 5.841 million m3 and increase the net economic benefit of water supply by CNY 136.5515 million. The optimized water resource allocation plan has higher economic, social, and ecological benefits. The research can provide technical support for water resource management in Wu'an City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme temperature events significantly impact agricultural water, but it is still unclear how changes in agricultural water policies will affect extreme temperature differences. We analyzed the relationship between agricultural water usage and extreme temperature variations across 30 Chinese provinces from 2015 to 2022. Using an innovative grey model approach, we projected temperature variation trends under different agricultural water policy scenarios. Our analysis reveals that moderate increases in agricultural water allocation effectively reduced temperature extremes in most provinces. The impact was particularly pronounced in regions with high grey relation degrees, especially resonant regions where the mitigation effects were the strongest. We found that agricultural water policies have complex, nonlinear effects on temperature variations, with distinct patterns emerging across different provinces. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for regional variations in water use for climate adaptation strategies. Our research provides practical insights for policymakers seeking to balance agricultural sustainability with climate resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite considerable experimental effort, the physiological mechanisms governing temperate tree species' water and carbon dynamics before the onset of the growing period remain poorly understood. We applied 2H‐enriched water during winter dormancy to the soil of four potted European tree species. After 8 weeks of chilling, hydrogen isotopes in stem, twig and bud water were measured six times during 2 consecutive weeks of forcing conditions (Experiment 1). Additionally, we pulse‐labelled above‐ground plant tissues using 2H‐enriched water vapour and 13C‐enriched CO2 7 days after exposure to forcing conditions to trace atmospheric water and carbon uptake (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 revealed soil water incorporation into the above‐ground organs of all species during the chilling phase and significant species‐specific differences in water allocation during the forcing conditions, which we attributed to differences in structural traits. Experiment 2 illustrated water vapour incorporation into all above‐ground tissue of all species. However, the incorporation of carbon was found for evergreen saplings only. Our results suggest that temperate trees take up and reallocate soil water and absorb atmospheric water to maintain sufficient above‐ground tissue hydration during winter. Therefore, our findings provide new insights into the water allocation dynamics of temperate trees during early spring. Summary statement: Our stable isotope labelling study demonstrates that tree saplings take up soil and atmospheric water to hydrate above‐ground tissues before budburst. However, no carbon uptake was found for the investigated deciduous species during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the influence of climate change and human activities, slope water yield characteristics have changed, and the "activity" of water has begun to weaken, resulting in slope ecological degradation and river runoff attenuation. To carry out refined water system management and delay environmental degradation in the basin, it is necessary to accurately identify the slope water yield process and formulate the basin water yield baseline (BWYB) scientifically and reasonably. Based on bibliometric analysis and literature research methods, this paper systematically reviews the monitoring methods and monitoring elements of the water yield process in watersheds and slopes, expounds on the slope water yield process identification method, and also discusses the BWYB threshold and the control measures of slope water yield. Through a comprehensive analysis of the BWYB and a summary of the observation technologies for the water yield process, this paper offers a significant reference and basis for establishing a monitoring system for the evolution and regulation of basin hydrology, as well as for simulating and predicting basin water yield across various spatial and temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (IMTA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua (IMTA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Water security is essential for the development of semi-arid regions. Inter-basin water diversion projects are an important solution for guaranteeing access to water for populations in these regions. Reaching optimal water allocation in an inter-basin water diversion project is a challenge, especially in water systems that are unable to meet their demands. This study proposed a methodology for defining reservoir operation rules for inter-basin water diversion projects in semi-arid regions. The findings from taking the Apodi-Mossoró River Basin in Northeast of Brazil as a case reveal that the regulated flow of the reservoirs under constant water transfer increased in direct proportion to the transferred volume, and that it is not necessary to transfer water every year. Thus, the results show that the proposed reservoir operation policies reduce transferred volumes, thereby cutting costs, without compromising the system's water availability. This study consequently contributes to providing information in order to prepare decision-makers to implement sustainable water resource management in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project is a cornerstone of Ethiopia's economic development and energy security ambitions, and Africa's largest hydroelectric project. It aims to generate significant domestic and export electricity, playing a vital role in Ethiopia's growth strategy. However, this initiative has escalated tensions with downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which are concerned about the dam's potential impacts on their water supplies and agricultural systems. The conflict is rooted in deep-seated issues related to water rights and the equitable distribution of the Nile's resources, with Egypt perceiving the GERD as a threat to its historical entitlements established by colonial-era agreements. Efforts to mediate the GERD dispute have involved various regional and international actors, including the African Union, the United States, and the European Union, but have often resulted in limited progress and inconclusive outcomes. Factors contributing to the challenges in mediation include a lack of trust among the involved parties, differing national priorities, and the absence of a comprehensive framework to address the complex interdependencies within the Nile Basin. This paper seeks to analyze the dispute management process surrounding the GERD, exploring the historical context, national interests, and negotiation challenges. By doing so, it aims to provide insights into the dynamics of the conflict and propose recommendations for future mediation efforts that prioritize inclusive dialogue, trust-building, and sustainable water management practices among all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of urban multi-source water supply systems is essential for addressing the growing challenges of water allocation, cost management, and system resilience in modern cities. This study introduces a graph-theory-based optimization model to analyze the structural and operational dynamics of urban water supply systems, incorporating constraints such as water quality, pressure, and system connectivity. Using Lishui City as a case study, the model evaluates three water allocation plans to meet the projected 2030 water demand. Advanced algorithms, including Floyd's shortest path algorithm and the GA-COA-SA hybrid optimization algorithm, were employed to address constraints such as pipeline pressure, water quality attenuation, and nonlinear flow dynamics. Results indicate a 1.4% improvement in cost-effectiveness compared to the current allocation strategy, highlighting the model's capability to enhance efficiency. Among the evaluated options, Plan 2 emerges as the most cost-effective solution, achieving a supply capacity of 4.5920 × 105 m3/d with the lowest annual cost of 5.7015 × 107 yuan, highlighting the model's capability to improve both efficiency and resilience. This study prioritizes cost-efficiency tailored to regional challenges, distinguishing itself from prior research that emphasized redundancy and water quality analysis. The findings demonstrate the potential of graph-theoretic approaches combined with advanced optimization techniques to enhance decision-making for sustainable urban water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a nonlinear programming model for the optimization of water and land allocation in a 1000 ha orchard over a 20-year period to maximize farmers' net profits. Different scenarios were evaluated, including equitable and unrestricted land allocation, and the risks associated with fruit production were considered. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis that focused on the variability of labor and water availability was conducted. The results reveal that with equitable land allocations and no constraints on the cultivated area, cherry emerges as the most profitable crop, although there are large risks associated with its price volatility. The introduction of risk and land allocation constraints highlights the importance of crop diversification in mitigating economic risks. A sensitivity analysis indicated that reductions in water and labor availability significantly affect the optimal cropping pattern of an orchard, suggesting that the efficient and adaptive management of resources is required. The proposed optimal cropping pattern maintains the economic viability of the orchard even with 70% and 24% reductions in water and labor, respectively. This approach underscores the importance of implementing resilient and sustainable agricultural strategies to ensure food security and increase economic stability in the face of changing climatic and labor conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a substantial body of literature perceives rationality as the only path for negotiations over the use of the transboundary shared watercourse, recent scholarship has unveiled the role of emotion in decision-making processes over the use of the shared water. This research aims to challenge the conventional approach—rationality—by exploring affective dynamics of the riparian nations of the Helmand River (shared between upstream Afghanistan and downstream Iran) and how decisions over the use of the shared Helmand River are ingrained in the emotional dispositions of the riparian nations. Taking an integrated approach combining emotional political ecology and neoclassical realism, this research unravels the intricate emotional dynamics of the riparian nations to the flow of the Helmand River. The staggering increase in water withdrawal—both surface and groundwater resources— coupled with the population growth, and adverse effects of climate changes has stimulated the negative emotional dispositions of the borderland communities— the sufferings of farming communities due to lack of access to water—resulting in water conflict escalation in the Helmand River Basin. Finally, it is asserted that negotiations over the use of Helmand River are considered to be ill-equipped unless emotionality and rationality—a pluralistic approach— are equally weighed or gauged in water allocation and utilization by the co-riparian nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data and information exchange plays a crucial role in fostering water cooperation between the riparian nations of a shared watercourse. Taking an integrated approach combining Discourse Analysis and Document Analysis, this research aims at elucidating the challenges and the potential opportunities of data and information exchange on the Helmand River, a drought-stricken river basin shared between upstream Afghanistan and downstream Iran. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we offer nuanced perspectives on the data exchange model developed by Wehn. We argue that there are other underlying and essential elements that hinder the meaningful engagement of the riparian nations of the Helmand River Basin in data and information exchange. As water is perceived as a critical national interest for both riparians, decisions regarding water allocation in the basin are deeply embedded in their emotional attachments to the flow of the Helmand River, thereby hindering their effective engagement in data and information exchange. Finally, we discuss the steps and procedures for successful data and information exchange and how commitment to reliable data and information exchange contributes to the re-establishment and enhancement of trust between the two riparian nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legal transitions--that is, changes in legislation, regulations, or judicial decisions--are necessary to improve any legal system. This process, however, is fraught with obstacles and hard decisions mainly because, while society may gain, some individuals will suffer under a new rule. This raises a number of questions. Is the reform unfair to those who lose as a result of it? If so, should the new rule incorporate any form of transition relief to alleviate these concerns, such as compensation? Legal transitions can be particularly difficult when a new rule affects vested property rights. This Article uses water law reform as a vehicle for examining how legal transitions prompted by climate change might match the urgency of this slow--but inexorable--process. Climate-change-driven water scarcity and Wall Street investment reveal shortcomings and inequities of current water law. But significant barriers to systemic reform require innovative transition design. Given that the most prevalent types of water rights are considered constitutionally protected property, holders of existing water rights will oppose reforms on fairness, economic, and constitutional grounds. Building on the legal transitions literature, strategies used in other water-scarce countries, and historical transitions in water law, this Article is the first to provide an in-depth analysis of the policy and constitutional implications of addressing the current water crisis by employing one of the less theorized forms of transitional relief: delayed implementation. This Article concludes that delayed implementation, when compared to other more traditional alternatives, will make the adoption of these legal changes more politically viable, reduce their vulnerability to constitutional challenges, and lead to fairer and more efficient outcomes. Because many of the advantages of delayed implementation are not specific to water law, this analysis suggests that delayed implementation has many applications as transitional relief in other areas of regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Change points (CPs) in streamflow time series are indicative of abrupt shifts and the effective capturing of CPs are useful pre-requisite for accurate modeling of streamfows. The accurate detection of CPs is vital for the hydrological modelers, as the persistence properties are influenced by the shifts in the time series. This study proposed a framework for the detection of CPs through the temporal evolution of persistence of streamflow. The persistence of streamflow was quantified by Hurst exponent (H) estimates of 184 gauging station data located in 15 Indian river basins. Hurst exponent was estimated through Aggregated variance (AV) method and Rescaled range (RR) analysis. H estimates by these methods provided similar results for Indian streamflow and good agreement with the global streamflow persistence of 0.72. Pettit change point detection technique was then applied to identify the change points in the annual average streamflow data and Hurst exponent values of five major river basins, where significant shifts occur. By introducing new framework namely Sequential Pettitt Test (SQPT), CPs in the streamflow datasets were captured. This technique enabled the identification of CPs by analyzing the Hurst Exponent values of streamflows sequentially. The comparison with the CPs in annual streamflow datasets matched well for 86% of the cases with acceptable differences for the remaining series. The remarkable performance of the proposed method and the results of the persistence analysis provided valuable information for water resource managers, hydrologists. Identifying CPs in streamflow datasets can support decision making processes related to water allocation, flood risk management, and ecological conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil moisture is a key variable that affects ecosystem carbon and water cycles and that can directly affect climate change. Remote sensing is the best way to obtain global soil moisture data. Currently, soil moisture remote sensing products have coarse spatial resolution, which limits their application in agriculture, the ecological environment, and urban planning. Soil moisture downscaling methods rely mainly on optical data. Affected by weather, the spatial discontinuity of optical data has a greater impact on the downscaling results. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backscatter coefficient is strongly correlated with soil moisture. This study was based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, which integrated Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) optical and SAR backscattering coefficients and used machine learning methods to downscale the soil moisture product, reducing the original soil moisture with a resolution of 10 km to 1 km and 100 m. The downscaling results were verified using in situ observation data from the Shandian River and Wudaoliang. The results show that in the two study areas, the downscaling results after adding SAR backscattering coefficients are better than before. In the Shandian River, the R increases from 0.28 to 0.42. In Wudaoliang, the R value increases from 0.54 to 0.70. The RMSE value is 0.03 (cm3/cm3). The downscaled soil moisture products play an important role in water resource management, natural disaster monitoring, ecological and environmental protection, and other fields. In the monitoring and management of natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, it can provide key information support for decision-makers and help formulate more effective emergency response plans. During droughts, affected areas can be identified in a timely manner, and the allocation and scheduling of water resources can be optimized, thereby reducing agricultural losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the publication is to highlight the main trends of international environmental policy in the field of legal regulation of the use of water bodies, reflect their impact on the content of the right to general water use and reveal the feasibility of taking into account the conceptual principles of international law when forming modern national environmental po licy and environmental legislation. Based on the analysis of international documents regulating relations on the issues of the human right to water and domestic scientific research in this area, it is concluded that the human right to safe and high-quality drinking water is covered by the right to water, which in turn has an indirect impact on the transformation of the content of the right to general water use. The article, based on a systemic analysis, examines the general essential characteristics of international policy on the implementation of the fundamental right to water and ensuring sustainable development. Separately, new approaches to understanding the content of legal relations in the field of water use in the context of the issues of access to clean water, preserving a sufficient amount of water resources to meet the vital needs of both the present and future generations are considered. Special attention is paid to the study of the rights of indigenous peoples to natural resources and their use from the point of view of their impact on the transformation of the essence of the institution of the right of general water use, and it is found that currently taking into account the traditions and way of life of indigenous peoples, their attitude to natural resources is becoming relevant due to the need to focus on nature itself (in particular, water bodies), and not on economic or political views. Through the analysis, it was concluded that the right to general water use is not limited to its traditional understanding as one of the forms of the right to natural resources in comparison with special water use. Therefore, the right to water use requires a broader interpretation by expanding its content in the context of leading international concepts for solving modern problems in the field of water use and ensuring sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aims of this study are to construct a water resource vulnerability model for the southern Shaanxi urban agglomeration based on the coupling effect of society, economy, and ecology, to clarify the state of water resource vulnerability, to determine the influencing factors, and to contribute to the harmony between human and water in the Qinling region. [Methods] In view of this, the water resource vulnerability of the southern Shaanxi urban agglomeration was evaluated based on the Vulnerability Scoping Diagram (VSD), and further its influencing factors under the coupling of society, economy and ecology were identified by using multivariate statistical methods. [Results] The overall trend of water resource vulnerability in southern Shaanxi was most similar to that in Shangluo City from 2011 to 2020. Except for extreme vulnerability in 2011, it remained basically in a mild fragile state. However, the water resource vulnerability levels in Hanzhong City and Ankang City were relatively high, and the degree of water security guarantee was relatively low. The main control factors for the vulnerability of water resources included ecological environment water consumption, per capita water resources, annual precipitation. Optimizing the allocation of water consumption in the ecological environment, and strengthening the monitoring of annual precipitation and per capita water resources will become the new focus on reducing water resource vulnerability in the southern Shaanxi urban agglomeration. [Conclusion] The improvement of water resource system security in the southern Shaanxi urban agglomeration is related to the local emphasis on water ecological civilization construction and coordinated development with society and economy. In addition, the VSD model constructed in this paper is suitable for evaluating the vulnerability of water resources in the southern Shaanxi urban agglomeration, and can provide theoretical guidance for alleviating the contradiction among people, city, and water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various methods for determining environmental flows can be based on hydrological characteristics, a combination of morphological and hydrological characteristics, or solely on hydraulic characteristics. Such methods may also be based on multi-criteria decision-making, where a low flow regime and its variability are considered. The methods for determining environmental flows as hydrological limits (sometime called desktop methods) are solely based on hydrological statistics and are believed to implicitly incorporate links to the state of river ecosystems. In the paper, we compared the performance of several methods in the set of the 137 official water balance inventory profiles of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute, which are evenly distributed over the territory of Slovakia. The analysis also accounted for the dependence between hydrological characteristics and environmental flow values. We also compared the frequency of the occurrence of their critical values (ecohydrological) in the reference periods 1931-1960 and 1991-2019. We proposed an intermediate system of regionalized relationships based on simple Tennant methods, which does not disturb the existing system of water allocations and uses in the water balance inventory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male and female dioecious plants often show sexual dimorphism, differing in morphological, physiological and life‐history traits. Most previous studies have focused on differences between males and females during or after reproduction, paying little attention to the pre‐reproductive stages of the individuals.Here we assessed the response of male and female individuals of the dioecious plant Silene latifolia to abiotic stress at different life stages, including pre‐reproductive (i.e. seedlings and young plants) and reproductive individuals. We measured growth, resource allocation and discrimination against 13C under nutrient deficiency, water stress, as well as their interaction.We observed sexual dimorphism in root growth, with female seedlings having longer main roots than male plants. Pre‐reproductive male and female plants also responded differently, in terms of root allocation, to nutrient and water availability. At reproduction, females grew more roots than males when water was not limiting. These differences could help explain the female‐skewed sex ratios found in natural populations of S. latifolia. We found no evidence of sexual dimorphism in aboveground dry mass, although females had longer leaves than males at the seedling stage.We conclude that sexual dimorphism in S. latifolia may occur not as a consequence of reproduction, but well before it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the diversity of thermophilic Campylobacter species isolated from three New Zealand freshwater catchments affected by pastoral and urban activities. Utilising matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation‐time of flight and whole genome sequence analysis, the study identified Campylobacter jejuni (n = 46, 46.0%), C. coli (n = 39, 39%), C. lari (n = 4, 4.0%), and two novel Campylobacter species lineages (n = 11, 11%). Core genome sequence analysis provided evidence of prolonged persistence or continuous faecal shedding of closely related strains. The C. jejuni isolates displayed distinct sequence types (STs) associated with human, ruminant, and environmental sources, whereas the C. coli STs included waterborne ST3302 and ST7774. Recombination events affecting loci implicated in human pathogenesis and environmental persistence were observed, particularly in the cdtABC operon (encoding the cytolethal distending toxin) of non‐human C. jejuni STs. A low diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (aadE‐Cc in C. coli), with genotype/phenotype concordance for tetracycline resistance (tetO) in three ST177 isolates, was noted. The data suggest the existence of two types of naturalised waterborne Campylobacter: environmentally persistent strains originating from waterbirds and new environmental species not linked to human campylobacteriosis. Identifying and understanding naturalised Campylobacter species is crucial for accurate waterborne public health risk assessments and the effective allocation of resources for water quality management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Anbar University for Law & Political Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation is the property of Bulletin of Soil & Water Conservation Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Accurate and reliable runoff forecasting is of great significance for hydropower station operation and watershed water resource allocation. However, various complex factors, such as climate conditions and human activities, constantly affect the formation of runoff. Runoff data under changing environments exhibit highly nonlinear, time-varying, and stochastic characteristics, which undoubtedly pose great challenges to runoff prediction. Under this background, this study ingeniously merges reconstruction integration technology and dynamic decomposition technology to propose a Temporal Convolutional Network Fusion Attention Mechanism Runoff Prediction method based on dynamic decomposition reconstruction integration processing. This method uses the Temporal Convolutional Network to extract the cross-temporal nonlinear characteristics of longer runoff data, and introduces attention mechanisms to capture the importance distribution and duration relationship of historical temporal features in runoff prediction. It integrates a decomposition reconstruction process based on dynamic classification and filtering, fully utilizing decomposition techniques, reconstruction techniques, complexity analysis, dynamic decomposition techniques, and neural networks optimized by automatic hyperparameter optimization algorithms, effectively improving the model's interpretability and precision of prediction accuracy. This study used historical monthly runoff datasets from the Pingshan Hydrological Station and Yichang Hydrological Station for validation, and selected eight models including the LSTM model, CEEMDAN-TCN-Attention model, and CEEMDAN-VMD-LSTM-Attention (DDRI) for comparative prediction experiments. The MAE, RMSE, MAPE, and NSE indicators of the proposed model showed the best performances, with test set values of 1007.93, 985.87, 16.47, and 0.922 for the Pingshan Hydrological Station and 1086.81, 1211.18, 17.20, and 0.919 for the Yichang Hydrological Station, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the fusion model generated through training has strong learning ability for runoff temporal features and the proposed model has obvious advantages in overall predictive performance, stability, correlation, comprehensive accuracy, and statistical testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The imbalance between water supply and demand (WSD) has been growing noticeable as a result of the economy's fast expansion which can be effectively alleviated using optimal allocation of water resources. An urban water resources allocation (WRA) model based on the innovative Multi-Objective Nutcracker Optimization Algorithm (MONOA) is proposed in this study. Taking into account economic, social and ecological benefits, a comprehensive multi-objective optimization (MOO) model is established. By introducing the opposite learning strategy, non-dominated sorting approach and crowding distance mechanism to a recently reported intelligent optimization algorithm called the Nutcracker Optimization Algorithm (NOA), the novel nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm MONOA is proposed to solve the multi-objective optimization model. The MONOA is evaluated on ten benchmark test functions, and it exhibits superior distribution and convergence by comparing with some highly cited algorithms. The proposed model is applied to Handan, China, in order to obtain a reasonable water allocation scheme in the planning year. The simulation results reveal that the economic benefit is in the range CNY [1.36, 1.44] × 1011, water shortage is in the range [0.66, 0.98] × 108 m3 and COD emission is in the range [3.70, 3.91] × 104 t in all the obtained Pareto solutions. The water resources management departments might create customized water allocation plans by balancing different goals and taking preferences into account. Moreover, the proposed method is a general approach that can be applied to many other cities. Hence, it is of great significance to the sustainable development and utilization of urban water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Congo River Basin is the second-largest watershed globally, flowing through nine countries before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The Kasai River Basin (KARB), containing about one-fourth of Congo's freshwater resources, plays a strategic role in sustaining navigation, food production, and hydroelectricity generation in Central Africa. This study applies a multi-model framework suited for data-scarce regions to assess climate change impacts on water availability in the KARB. Using two conceptual hydrological models calibrated with four reanalysis datasets and fed with bias-corrected outputs from 19 climate models under two representative climate pathways (RCPs), we project changes in the mean annual discharge ranging from −18% to +3%, highlighting the sensitivity of impact assessments to model and input data choices. Additionally, streamflow signatures (Q10, Q50, Q90) are projected to decline by approximately 9%, 18%, and 13%, respectively, under RCP 8.5. Annual hydropower potential is estimated to decrease by 14% and 5% under RCPs 4.5 and 8.5, respectively. These findings provide actionable insights for water management practices in the KARB, including guiding the development of adaptive strategies to optimize water allocation, mitigate risks of scarcity, and support sustainable agricultural and industrial activities in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Flumendosa dams are a key part of the water resources system of the island of Sardinia. The analysis of a long-term (1922–2022) hydrological database showed that the Flumendosa basin has been affected by climate change since the middle of the last century, associated with a decrease in winter precipitation and annual runoff (Mann–Kendall τ = −0.271), reduced by half in the last century, and an increase in the mean annual air temperature (Mann–Kendall τ = +0.373). We used a spatially distributed ecohydrological model and a water resources management model (WARGI) to define the economic efficiency and the optimal water allocation in the water system configurations throughout the evaluation of multiple planning and management rules for future climate scenarios. Using future climate scenarios, testing land cover strategies (i.e., forestation/deforestation), and optimizing the use of water resources, we predicted drier future scenarios (up to the end of the century) with an alarming decrease in water resources for agricultural activities, which could halt the economic development of Sardinia. In the future hydrological conditions (2024–2100), irrigation demands will not be totally satisfied, with up to 74% of future years being in deficit for irrigation, with a mean deficit of up to 52% for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economic consequences of water efficiency that results from water policies remains controversial. Studies on how water rights trading (WRT), which allocates water resources in and across industries, influences corporate efficiency can reveal the behavioral response of market participants to increase water efficiency. Considering the WRT pilot implemented in 2014 as a quasi‐natural experiment, we adopt the difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences method to evaluate its impact on corporate total factor productivity (TFP). Our findings show that WRT significantly stimulates the TFP of firms with high water costs. This effect is achieved by promoting water‐related green innovation and optimizing resource allocation instead of alleviating corporate risks. Furthermore, the impact of WRT is more pronounced in areas with lower levels of water endowment and market development. The research findings have strikingly important policy implications regarding water management in China through WRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

British Columbia (BC)'s First-in-Time, First-in-Right (FITFIR) water rights system was significantly hybridized under the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) in 2016 to enhance water allocation flexibility while addressing concerns and criticisms of the traditional FITFIR system. This Commentary examines the legislative tools introduced in the WSA to facilitate this hybridization and identifies challenges arising from their incomplete implementation. The Commentary underscores current operational challenges that undermine sustainable water use, and advocates for government to address the lack of adequate resourcing and to prioritize implementation of the WSA tools. In addition, this Commentary highlights the vulnerabilities remaining under the WSA, including the jurisdictional gap resulting from unvested water and the authority for specific water uses without direct WSA oversight. The government's ability to deal effectively with recurring drought and to reduce the economic impacts of limited water supplies in BC depends on addressing these challenges and vulnerabilities; water-related agreements and arrangements with Indigenous nations are also directly impacted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating the impacts of water allocation decisions on fish populations and habitat availability is an important part of environmental flow assessments, especially in locations where water resources are limited. Two‐dimensional hydrodynamic models (2DHMs) are commonly coupled with biological models to estimate fish habitat quality, area, and capacity across a range of proposed streamflows. Increasingly, resource managers are relying on landscape‐scale model domains with coarse model resolutions to maintain feasible computational loads, but this may affect habitat estimates if the mesh element size of the model exceeds the spatial scale relevant to the organism. We investigated how coarsening the resolution of a 2DHM influences the area and spatial distribution of estimated Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fry habitats. We used an interpolation scheme that upscaled mesh elements from a high‐resolution (0.25 m2) 2DHM to quantify and visualize the effects of 2DHM resolution on estimates of Coho Salmon fry habitat for two contrasting channel morphologies and across a broad range of streamflows. Estimates of Coho Salmon fry habitat at increasingly coarser resolutions led to 20%–50% reductions in weighted usable habitat area (WUA) across several streamflow scenarios for a complex channel type, but did not impact estimates in a confined, flume‐like channel. Additionally, flow‐to‐habitat area relationships were not congruent at a given streamflow when resolution coarsened. Along with almost 500% more high‐quality habitat area estimated in the complex channel type over the confined, discrepancies in habitat area increased with higher flows in areas defined as optimal for rearing Coho Salmon fry. Considering that complex channel types contain critical habitat for Coho Salmon fry, this study suggests coarse 2DHM resolutions may exclude important wetted edge and off‐channel habitats from environmental flow assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimum irrigation programming at network level is important not only for maximum yield and benefit from the system but also for sustainable use of constrained resources. The subject of this investigation is to devise a method which enables optimum water allocation in irrigation networks, to apply it to a real system, and to analyze the results. In the first step, the irrigation district was divided into the most suitable water allocation zones considering the hydraulic properties of the canals. Next, alternative system rotation periods were defined in accordance with the properties of the research area, the hydraulic infrastructure of the irrigation network and the crop pattern. In this process, the model was run for five different water allocation strategies. The model was applied to the command area of Sarıkız Irrigation Association in the Ahmetli Regulator Right Bank Irrigation System in the Gediz Basin. Therefore, irrigation programs were prepared for the crop pattern, which receives water from 45 tertiary canals of the Y9 secondary. The irrigation time allocated to each tertiary canal and the amount of irrigation water were evaluated, together with the water shortage levels which occurred in these tertiary canals. The results indicated that the model defined the optimum system rotation period, the borders and the sizes of the most suitable water allocation zones, and the most suitable irrigation programs under the prevailing conditions. The proposed model can provide an insight for decision makers as a decision support tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The countries within the Nile Basin have become increasingly water stressed with each passing year due to the intensification of climate change, and disagreements about water allocation rights between these countries only exacerbate the issue. For about a century, Ethiopia and Egypt have been quarrelling over rights to the Nile’s waters with no resolution in sight. In 2011, Ethiopia began construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which increased tensions. As of 2023, the dam’s construction was completed but negotiations have made no meaningful progress. The dam worsens political relations but impacts the environment, economy, and society in both positive and negative ways. Considering these impacts and the example of the demolition of the Klamath River dams, it was determined that dam demolition would be the most beneficial and equitable course of action, in the long run, for all the Nile River riparian countries. A policy memo was then constructed advocating for demolition of the GERD.

Abstract: Water diversions for agriculture reduce ecosystem services provided by saline lakes around the world. Exposed lakebed surfaces are major sources of dust emissions that may exacerbate existing environmental inequities. This paper studies the effects of water diversions and their impacts on particulate pollution arising from reduced inflows to the Salton Sea in California via a spatially explicit particle transport model and changing lakebed exposure. We demonstrate that lakebed dust emissions increased ambient and concentrations and worsened environmental inequalities, with historically disadvantaged communities receiving a disproportionate increase in pollution. Water diversion decisions are often determined by political processes; our findings demonstrate the need for distributional analysis of such decisions to ensure equitable compensation.

Reclaimed water utilization is one of the major strategies used to achieve sustainable development in China and for alleviating issues linked to insufficient water supply. This study leverages panel data encompassing 30 provinces in mainland China from 2011 to 2022 to establish a comprehensive evaluation index system for measuring the development level of reclaimed water utilization capacity and utilization effect. On the basis of this index, the development rule of coupling coordination between reclaimed water utilization capacity and utilization effect is explored using the coupling coordination degree model, Moran's I index, and the grey GM (1,1) model. Experimental results show that the current utilization capacity and effect of reclaimed water in most provinces of China do not match. Moreover, China's reclaimed water utilization capacity index was shown to gradually increase from 2011 to 2022. The reclaimed water utilization capacity index of the eastern region is significantly higher than the central region, which is lower than the national average, followed by the northeast region, and the western region obtains the lowest index. The calculation results of the coupling coordination model further demonstrate the coupling coordination degree between the reclaimed water utilization capacity; moreover, the effects of provinces and cities in China steadily increased, and there is a clear spatial clustering. The predicted results indicate that the abovementioned situation will likely continue until 2030. This study is anticipated to become a point of reference for relevant departments to optimize the coupling coordination degree of reclaimed water systems across different regions in China, implement differentiated measures, and promote a rational allocation of reclaimed water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought, as a natural and intricate climatic phenomenon, poses challenges with implications for both natural ecosystems and socioeconomic conditions. Evaluating the characteristics of drought is a significant endeavor aimed at mitigating its impact on society and individuals. This research paper explores the integration of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and machine learning techniques for an assessment of drought characteristics in the Middle Ganga Plain, a crucial agro-climatic region in India. The study focuses on evaluating the frequency, intensity, magnitude, and recurrence interval of drought events. Various drought models, including Random Forest (RF), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and an ensemble model combining ANN and RF, were employed to analyze and predict drought patterns at different temporal scales (3-month, 6-month, and 12-month). The performance of these models was rigorously validated using key metrics such as precision, accuracy, proportion incorrectly classified, over-all area under the curve (AUC), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE). Furthermore, the research extends its application to delineating drought vulnerability zones by establishing demarcations for high and very high drought vulnerability areas for each model and temporal scale. Results indicate that the south-western part of the middle Ganga plain falls under the highly drought-vulnerable zone, which averagely covers 40% of the study region. The core and buffer regions of drought vulnerability have also been identified. The south-western part of the study area is identified as the core region of drought. Ground verification of the drought-vulnerable area has been done by using soil moisture meter. Validation metrics show that the ensemble model of ANN and RF exhibits the highest accuracy across all temporal scales. This research's findings can be applied to improve drought preparedness and water resource management in the Middle Ganga Plain. By identifying high-risk drought zones and utilizing accurate prediction models, policymakers and farmers can implement targeted mitigation strategies. This approach could enhance agricultural resilience, protect livelihoods, and optimize water allocation in this vital agro-climatic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicts tend to be complex and, in many cases, multi-faceted. However, by adapting an approach by Vuković, this study illustrates a method for structuring such conflicts, which can facilitate insights that are more profound by dividing them into relevant dimensions of the problem. Given that some conflicts are ongoing and new ones may emerge in certain cases, this study also assesses the potential of using the adapted methodology as a structured basis for constructing scenario analyses. In this study, two cases from Germany on the topic of water are analysed. The first case explores a pair of conflicts that arose within a short period involving a chemical company called Currenta. These conflicts are about a controversial wastewater discharge and an attempt to obtain more water rights, despite the possible future water stress. The second case concerns the Nordheide region, which is favoured for its groundwater reservoir. In recent decades, there has been a growing dispute between the water company and the residents of Nordheide about the possible harmful effects of further water extraction. Both cases illustrate the evolving nature of water conflicts, indicating that they can extend beyond a dispute over distribution. In addition to this key finding, the cases demonstrate the diverging concerns of the actors, as well as the significance of decision-makers involved in these conflicts. A nuanced assessment of water conflicts prior to further action, such as conflict resolution, is therefore encouraged by this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superseding the ambiguous distinctions between formal and informal or between de facto and de jure rights developed in water studies, the study of water rights got a new lease on life when Franz and Keebet von Benda-Beckmann proposed a distinction between categorical and concrete rights. While this approach apparently explains the social embodiment of state, customary, or local normative formulations, a closer examination shows that water rights are not enacted as enforceable entitlements but constantly (re)negotiated at every water turn. Thus, the fluid and contingent social life of water rights in Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS) is best understood in terms of their contractual character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, the Colombian Institute for Rural Development (INCODER) initiated construction of the El Cercado dam on the Ranchería River, neglecting proper consultation with Indigenous Peoples along the river who mobilized to protect their livelihoods, cultural practices, self-determination, and the sacred lands within the government-recognized "Black Line." Recently, Law 2415 granted the Ranchería River status as a subject of rights, establishing a Commission of Guardians comprising government and local representatives, signaling a shift toward cooperative stewardship among the region's diverse communities and stakeholders. This paper offers a novel reading focused on the Wiwa People, as existing literature primarily addresses the Wayúu People's experiences. Furthermore, most studies frame the normative context surrounding the Ranchería through a "weak" pluralist perspective of the Colombian legal system, often neglecting analytical complexities beyond a state-centered approach. To counter these limitations, we utilize the conceptual framework of Keebet von Benda-Beckmann, whose insights on relational social theory, law's spatiotemporal dimensions, and water rights enable a more complex yet accurate account of how actors in this context deal with the law and variously articulate it. We argue that von Benda-Beckmann's approach helps to unravel the challenges posed by hyperregulation while clarifying how strategic mobilization functions within this environment. By adopting this framework alongside a "thick" understanding of the local context, we aim to provide a more sensitive analysis of the evolving legal landscape, shedding light on the struggles over natural resources in Colombia and potentially offering insights for similar conflicts elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contested environments, the importance of water transcends its status as a mere resource to comprise the ecosystem and the watershed. Farmers and ronderos in Santa Cruz, Cajamarca, who face the brunt of deleterious environmental impacts from mining in their territories emphasize the relevance of ecosystems and watersheds for water provision. The interdependency of water and ecosystems is demonstrated through their local water rights. As water sources are threatened, the scope of local water rights is reconceptualized to guarantee water as both resource and nature. In analysing the transformation of water rights in the midst of socioenvironmental conflicts, the article shows how the residents of Santa Cruz take an unconventional approach assembling local understandings of water and global environmental discourses to protect the entirety of the environment where water flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural water consumption security is crucial for maintaining food production stability. Aiming to investigate water consumption efficiency and objectives in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, we adopted a Budyko-analogous framework to establish an optimal water allocation model based on the maximum water utilization benefits principle. The proposed Budyko framework was verified through its application in Anhui Province, China, and the difference in water utilization efficiencies among different regions was discussed. The research findings can be concluded as follows: (1) during 2011–2020, the provincial agricultural productive loss caused by per-unit water shortage was lower compared to non-agricultural sectors, and this trend was adaptive in the south but totally opposite in the north; (2) the guaranteed level of agricultural water consumption was higher compared to non-agricultural sectors in the north due to the predominance of agricultural production but totally contrary in the south. Overall, the above findings are consistent with the actual industrial structure of Anhui Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands, namely the riparian ones, play a major role in landscape and water resources functionalities and provide enormous opportunities for ecosystems services. However, their area at globe scale is continuously decreasing due to appropriation by the riverain communities or by allocation of water resources to other uses, namely irrigation, in prejudice of natural wetlands. Due to the high competition for water, namely for agricultural irrigation, the calculation of the vegetation evapotranspiration (ETc), i.e. the consumptive water use of the wetland ecosystems, is mandatory for determining water supply–demand balance at various scales. Providing for the basin and local levels the reason for this review study on ETc to be presented in an irrigation focused Journal. The review also aims to make available adequate Kc values relative to these ecosystems in an ongoing update of FAO guidelines on evapotranspiration. The review on ETc of natural wetlands focused on its computation adopting the classical FAO method, thus the product of the FAO-PM grass reference ETo by the vegetation specific Kc, i.e., ETc = Kc ETo. This approach is not only the most common in agriculture but is also well used in natural wetlands studies, with Kc values fully related with vegetation ecosystems characteristics. A distinction was made between riparian and non-riparian wetland ecosystems due to differences between main types of water sources and main vegetation types. The Kc values are tabulated through grouping wetlands according to the climate since the variability of Kc with vegetation, soil, and water availability would require data not commonly available from the selected studies. Tabulated values appear to be coherent and appropriate to support field estimation of Kc and ETc for use in wetlands water balance when not measured but weather data may be available to compute the grass reference ETo. ETc and the water balance could then be estimated since they are definitely required to further characterization and monitoring of wetlands, defining measures for their protection, and assessing ecosystems' services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate streamflow prediction is crucial for effective water resource management and planning. This study aims to enhance streamflow simulation accuracy in the data-scarce Upper Narmada River Basin (UNB) by proposing a novel hybrid approach, ANNHybrid, which combines a physically-based model (WEAP) with a data-driven model (ANN). The WEAP model was calibrated and validated using observed streamflow data, while the ANN model was trained and tested using meteorological variables and simulated streamflow. The ANNHybrid model integrates simulated flow from both WEAP and ANN to improve prediction accuracy. The results demonstrate that the ANNHybrid model outperforms the standalone WEAP and ANN models, with higher NSE values of 95.5% and 92.3% during training and testing periods, respectively, along with an impressive R2 value of 0.96. The improved streamflow predictions can support better decision-making related to water allocation, reservoir operations, and flood and drought risk assessment. The novelty of this research lies in the development of the ANNHybrid model, which leverages the strengths of both physically-based and data-driven approaches to enhance streamflow simulation accuracy in data-limited regions. The proposed methodology offers a promising tool for sustainable water management strategies in the UNB and other similar catchments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming and human activities have a major impact on the spatial and temporal characteristics of surface runoff in the Shiyang river basin, and the adaptive management of water resources in the basin is facing serious challenges. With three independent drainage Dajinghe river system, Liuhe river system and Xidahe river system as the research object, the statistical method analyzed the average flow evolution in 1960−2020, using Mann-Kendall test and Pettitt test to determine the runoff sequence mutation point, set the combination of climate and land use change, and used SWAT model to identify the runoff variation in Shiyang river basin, addressing the unequal allocation of water resources. The results showed that: (1) from 1960 to 2020, the annual average runoff decline rate of Xidahe river, Liuhe river and Dajing river system was 0.01m³ ·s−1 , 0.07m³ ·s−1, 0.01m³ ·s−1 respectively. The runoff years for the Liuhe river and Xidahe river were in 1973 and 2002, respectively, while the Dajing river system was in its natural state. (2) The SWAT model had a good adaptability to the Shiyang river basin, and the determination coefficient and the Nash efficiency coefficient were both higher than 0.50. (3) From 1960 to 2020, the contribution of precipitation, average temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and average wind speed to the annual average runoff were 75%, 53%, 55%, 55%, and 52%, respectively. The contribution of land use change to the annual average runoff was 17%. The coupled contribution of six influence factors to annual average runoff reduction was 67%, indicating that climate change had great influence on runoff in Shiyang river basin. The research results could provide a reference for the adaptive management of watershed water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]