Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Lake Poopo Basin, Bolivia

Summary, in English

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a relatively new approach in Bolivia. However, it is now generally accepted that this approach needs to be established in order to find sustainable solutions for development and is actively promoted by the Water Ministry, especially in environmentally fragile regions, such as the Lake Poopo basin. The Lake Poopo basin is one of the poorest regions in the Bolivian Altiplano. It is confronted with severe water scarcity during the dry season, leading to low water quality, a high water-poverty index and low values of the watershed sustainability index. Furthermore, salinization and environmental degradation of soil and water are forcing people to migrate to urban areas. These are some of the factors underlying an ever-increasing complexity in integrated water resources management in the region. This paper proposes and develops a Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in the Lake Poopo basin, based on economic, social and environmental criteria in an uncertain decision environment in order to support stakeholders in managing their water resources. Saaty's analytical hierarchy process (AHP) theory is applied here to solve the MCDA and to identify the alternatives using the highest expected utility value. The paper identifies the best solutions for existing conflicts, while promoting interaction with stakeholders and instruments in order to reach a sustainable strategy for water resources management in this water-scarce region.

• Författare: Andres Calizaya; Oliver Meixner; Lars Bengtsson; Ronny Berndtsson
• Avdelning/ar: MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World; MERGE: ModElling the Regional and Global Earth system; Avdelningen för Teknisk vattenresurslära; Centrum för Mellanösternstudier (CMES); LTH profilområde: Vatten
• Publiceringsår: 2010
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 2267-2289
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: Water Resources Management
• Volym: 24
• Issue: 10
• Länkar: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11269-009-9551-x
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: Springer
• Ämne: Other Social Sciences; Water Engineering
• Nyckelord: Water resources; Sustainability; Analysis; Integrated Water Resources Management; Multi Criteria Decision; Decision making process
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 0920-4741