Author(s): Tetsuro Tsujimoto; Yuji Toda; Makiko Obana
Linked Author(s): Makiko OBANA, Yuji Toda
Keywords: Eco-compatible river basin management; Ecosystem service; Sustainability; Assessment
Abstract: The world is facing many challenges, including environmental and social issues, because of rapid economic growth and industrialization. It is critical, therefore, to develop assessment technique that measures the sustainability status of regions and guides to lead into sustainable societies. This study aims to establish a framework for eco-compatible river basin management, in which a river basin is composed of a flux network of water and various materials driven by the hydrological cycle and distributed landscapes. We have proposed a method of eco-compatibility assessment that consists of three toolboxes: (1) a flux network model, (2) an ecosystem model, and (3) an evaluation model, according to integrated indices for the sustainability of river basin complexes. At same time, we have introduced the concept of a categorized landscape in which the mechanisms providing ecosystem service and flux changes are considered to be similar. This paper describes how to develop an assessment technique for eco-compatibility and how the strategy of eco-compatible river basin management should be based on an assessment technique of integrated policy menus for river basins.
Year: 2010