Indexing the Environmental Vulnerability of Mountain Streams in Azerbaijan

A simple environmental vulnerability assessment scheme is developed and illustrated using several streams in Azerbaijan as examples. Vulnerability of a river ecosystem is defined in terms of a combined impact of pressure factors such as water withdrawals, pollution, climate change impact on flow var...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mountain research and development 2012-02, Vol.32 (1), p.73-82
Main Authors: Abbasov, Rovshan K, Smakhtin, Vladimir U
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic ecosystems
Azerbaijan
Climate change
Creeks & streams
Ecological sustainability
environmental flow
environmental vulnerability index
Freshwater ecosystems
indicator assessment
Land use
Lotic systems
MountainResearch
pollution
River ecology
River water
Small streams
Streams
Sturgeon
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable water management
Systems knowledge
Water pollution
water withdrawal
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Summary:A simple environmental vulnerability assessment scheme is developed and illustrated using several streams in Azerbaijan as examples. Vulnerability of a river ecosystem is defined in terms of a combined impact of pressure factors such as water withdrawals, pollution, climate change impact on flow variability, and land use. These factors are used to measure the sensitivity of various elements/components of the system to impacts. The choice of these indicators may vary from area to area and depends on the nature of man-made and natural conditions. Each factor is characterized and quantified using a specific indicator and score. The total vulnerability score is estimated as a sum of the scores of all indicators. Most of the streams studied in Azerbaijan were found to be very vulnerable or extremely vulnerable, according to the developed scheme. The overall approach is straightforward and transparent. Conclusions are made about the vulnerability and/or resiliency of streams, to be taken into consideration when planning for water-sources development for the future.
ISSN:0276-4741
1994-7151
DOI:10.1659/MRD-JOURNAL-D-11-00012.1