Exploitable results Ecological analysis of point and non-point pollution on watersheds It is now generally accepted that a regional approach is most suitable in dealing with the multi-factor and interrelated ecological and economic management of the environment. Watershed areas can be considered as the most suitable places for integrating environmental, agricultural and economic programmes which involve the control of anthropogenic pollution. One of the main problems in watershed analysis is the fate of non-point pollution generated in this area and then further transported to surface waters. It is crucial to trace the pathways of pollutants dispersed in the environment and to work out feasible control techniques. This will help to manage the distribution of pollution, not only at the point of its origin but also when it has spread over the environment. The methodology assumed will be based on simulation modelling and computer data processing. The systems analysis method will produce a hierarchical database structure applicable at different stages of watershed analysis. The main objectives of this project are the development of a simulation modelling system linked to databases, and the application of a geographical information system (GIS) approach for spatial data processing. Simulation modelling systems for aquatic bodies and landscapes will be used for the integrated watershed study. This project will have two aspects: the development of simulation tools, and their application to case studies. The case studies will be the Oka River basin in central Russia and its tributaries, and the Pripyat river watershed in Ukraine. The related objective is to develop a decision-support system, which can be used on regional watershed levels for environmental control and planning. Another objective is to find sustainable development patterns, where the control of point and non-point sources of pollution is coupled with the analysis of the land use patterns in the watershed area, and an ecological support system which would include a natural resources base. Methodologies of watershed assessment and management will be reviewed and analyzed with special reference to the NIS. Seminar papers will be published in a peer review journal and special attention will be given to methodological aspects of ecosystem management and decision support in uncertain economic backgrounds. A hierarchical structure for a database of resources, emissions, ambient water quality, and socio-economic data will be designed. The maps, models and methods necessary to perform the analysis will be reviewed and taken into account in the database design. Special effort will be put into designing the direct interaction between the modelling system, the database and GIS representations. The data provided from the Pronya and Ilya watersheds will be put into the database. Preliminary recommendations and development strategies on pollution abatement and environmentally friendly resource management in the river basins are anticipated. In the final report an overview will be given of the main sub-modules of DSS, the models and functions within the general framework of the modelling system, and the databases generated for the case studies. Searching for OpenAIRE data... There was an error trying to search data from OpenAIRE No results available
