Valuing environmental water pulses into the Incomati estuary: Key to achieving equitable and sustainable utilisation of transboundary waters

摘要: Abstract Upstream developments in the Incomati river basin, shared by South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique, have altered downstream flows significantly. The frequency of small floods into estuary has been reduced dramatically. This change flow regime impacted on state environment downstream, particular. requires fresh water pulses that naturally occur, resulting seasonal flooding plains. Resource-poor rural households depend goods services flood plains provide such as wood, charcoal, building materials, fish shrimp, wetland farming, tourism. Alteration a negative impact hence yields; phenomenon people living near are keenly aware of. article estimates value currently provides, is under conditions changed regime. A linear relationship then assumed between it so order magnitude economic may be approximated. Various development scenarios basin considered, different upstream impacts availability, basin-wide benefits costs compared. paper concludes principle sharing derived from resources, rather than itself, proposed authors [Sadoff, C.W., Grey, D., 2002. Beyond river: cooperation international rivers. Water Policy 4, 389–403], feasible approach only if less tangible functions, especially those environment, assigned an appropriate corresponding priority.