Environmental flow estimation in two Andalusia basin

Abstract

Environmental flow estimation in two Andalusia basin.

Combined superficial and groundwater use. Water policies derived from the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/CE) emphasize the need to incorporate new approaches in water management, including innovative  and  more  efficient  approaches  such  as  combined  use  of  surface  and  ground  water,  and  environmental  flow.  A  number  of Spanish and Andalusian institutions and administrations are currently developing research programs on 2 water resource systems in Jaén and  Granada  (Andalusia).  Both  of  them  show  interesting  peculiarities  in  terms  of  ground  water  flows.  The  objective  of  this  work  is  to develop and apply technologies that integrate ecological (environmental flow), economic (cost of water) and management criteria. Results from the Jaén area show that the maintenance of environmental flows is possible when the principles of efficiency and combined use are applied; in Granada, the recommended environmental flow is crucial to maintain the structure and composition of riparian ecosystems.