Authors: Kurian, M., Ardakanian, R., Gonçalves Veiga, L., Meyer, K.
Addresses the role of observatories in supporting evidence-based decision-making with regard to environmental resources - water, soil, and waste
Highlights the importance of indices, data visualization, scenario analysis, and comparisons for drought and flood risk monitoring
Explains the methodology for constructing comprehensive drought- and flood-risk indices, detailing the indicators that can be used to evaluate exposure to risk and vulnerability
Illustrates the potential of new information and communication technologies, and of decentralization reforms, for decision-making aimed at improving food security

This book discusses the role of observatories in supporting evidence-based decision-making. The book focuses on issues of data accessibility, monitoring frameworks and governance processes with regard to environmental resources - water, soil and waste. This publication highlights challenges related to policy-implementation measures and examines current monitoring approaches, and illustrates how the UNU-FLORES Nexus Observatory seeks to overcome concerns related to data, monitoring and governance of water, soil and waste resources. In particular, given that extreme weather events such as droughts and floods are predicted to become more frequent in the future, it discusses the need for improved hazard risk monitoring. It proposes risk indices for drought and floods, which measure exposure and vulnerability to the phenomena through a multitude of bio-physical, socio-economic and institutional indicators. Furthermore, the potential for using openly accessible data made available through observatories in decision-making aimed at improving food security is also discussed. It acknowledges governments as key players in environmental resource management, and recognizes that decentralization reforms, as well as the emergence of information and communication technologies, have significantly changed the role of governments in promoting sustainable development. The book is particularly relevant for decision-makers, donor agencies, practitioners and students with an interest in environmental management who are also keen followers of discussions on the post-2015 monitoring agenda

Number of Illustrations and Tables
1 in colour
Topics
Remote Sensing/Photogrammetry
Agriculture
Applications of Mathematics
Sustainable Development

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