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Updated: May 29, 2026
12:44
Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
Development of spatial water resources vulnerability index considering climate change impacts
Kyung Soo Jun1, Eun-Sung Chung, Jin-Young Sung
1Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
The Science of the Total Environment
|September 24, 2011
Summary
This study introduces a new framework for sustainable water management by quantifying hydrologic vulnerability. It assesses flood, drought, water quality, and watershed risks under climate change impacts, offering a novel approach to resource sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Resource Management
- Climate Change Adaptation
Background:
- Sustainable water resources management requires robust vulnerability assessment tools.
- Climate change significantly impacts hydrological systems, necessitating adaptive strategies.
- Existing vulnerability indices often lack integration with sustainability concepts and future climate projections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel framework for quantifying spatial hydrologic vulnerability.
- To integrate climate change impacts and sustainability principles into vulnerability assessments.
- To modify and apply four key hydrologic vulnerability indices for comprehensive risk evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to select climate change impact indicators.
- Employed Canadian Global Coupled Model (CGCM3) and Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM) for future meteorological data.
- Simulated future stream run-off and water quality using Hydrological Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF).
- Applied TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) for multi-attribute decision analysis to calculate modified indices.
Main Results:
- Quantified four hydrologic vulnerability indices: potential flood damage (PFDC), potential drought damage (PDDC), potential water quality deterioration (PWQDC), and watershed evaluation index (WEIC).
- Demonstrated that the ranking of vulnerability can shift when considering climate change impacts.
- Provided a quantitative assessment of hydrologic vulnerability integrating sustainability and climate change.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework offers a scientifically sound method for assessing spatial hydrologic vulnerability.
- Incorporating climate change projections and sustainability concepts is crucial for accurate water resource management.
- The study highlights the dynamic nature of hydrologic vulnerability and the need for adaptive management strategies.
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