1st Edition
Management of Hydrological Systems Analysis and perspective of the contingent valuation of water for mountain basins
1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Justification and problems
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Hypothesis
2: BASELINE OF STUDY
2.1 Hydrological system
2.2 Climate of Ecuador
2.3 Climate of Loja City
2.4 Solar radiation
2.5 Air temperature
2.6 Potential evapotranspiration
2.7 Relative humidity
2.8 Precipitation
2.9 Hydrologic balance
2.10 Case of hydrological study
2.11 Hydrological-hydraulic study and risk of flooding in Zamora-Huayco basin
2.12 Soil erosion
3: MARKET STUDY ON DRINKING WATER
3.1 Universe and samples in market studies
3.2 Characteristics of surveys applied in market studies
4: CONTINGENT VALUATION OF THE WATER SERVICE
4.1 Independent variables (categorical and continuous) versus the dependent variables
4.2 Financial - environmental evaluation
5. CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
5.1 Environmental Problems in the Southern Region of Ecuador
5.2 Demand for water and El Carmen and San Simón micro-basins
5.3 Perspectives on the natural environment
6: CLIMATE CHANGE
6.1 General overview
6.2 Climate Change in Loja City
7: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 Conclusions
7.2 Recommendations
Bibliography
Annexes
Biography
Holger Benavides Muñoz, Jorge Arias Zari, Andreas Fries, José Sánchez-Paladines, Antonio Gallegos Reina, Racquel Hernández Ocampo, Pablo Ochoa Cueva
This is a very competently conducted economic/water resources case study of an equatorial mountain agricultural basin in Ecuador that is suffering from water stress. The study unites many tools for analysis of the water cycle with a market study to determine the value of water for different sectors or categories of consumers, for the general purpose of achieving a sustainable water supply. The book is well produced and features many color plates, including graphs, maps, and photographs. Each chapter is coauthored by one to three of the six other contributing authors, some in collaboration with Benavides Muñoz (Univ. Técnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador). All are academics except one, described as a freelance economist. One chapter in particular occupies almost half of the volume, providing a complete hydrologic/climatological assessment of the region. Other chapters cover various economic aspects including a drinking water market study and water service valuation. Two shorter chapters describe local environmental issues and climate change trends. The book concludes by drawing specific conclusions and recommendations for the case at hand. This work will be of use to professionals with similar problems to solve, and to advanced academics as a case study.
Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.
D.A. Vaccari (Stevens Institute of Technology) in CHOICE, April 2021, Vol. 58, No. 8
