ISSN 0912-7402

No.53 March 2010

NEWSLETTER
International Lake Environment Committee=Promoting Sustainable Lake Management=This Newsletter is also available in Japanese.

13th World Lake Conference
Successfully Organized

The 13th World Lake Conference was

Challenges and the Chinese Innovation”.

Chineseheld in Wuhan, China from November 1st

The Conference was co-organized by two

Environmental

to 5th, 2009 under the theme ofChinese academic societies (Chinese

Municipality (the host city of the“Rehabilitate the Lake Ecosystem: Global

Society for Environmental Science and theconference), and ILEC. More than 1,000

IN
THIS
ISSUE

Research

AcademySciences),

of

Wuhan

■ 13th World Lake Conference Successfully Organized■ Governor's Dialogue■ A Japan-China-Korea Children Gathering■ Student’s Meeting on Lake Management at WLC 13■ JICA Follow-up Session■ IETC-ILEC Session on Innovative Technologies for Water Management and Lake Restoration■ Promotion of ILBM: Current and for the Future■ Limnological notes from a Mediterranean island■ ILBM for African Lake Basin Management with Sanitation Challenges (ILBM-AFSAN)■ GEF Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP) - GEF Medium-Size Project ■ JICA Training Course: Conservation of Marshlands in Southern Iraq
■ Activities of ILEC (January - December 2009)1

participants form more than 50 countries,

gatherings, such as Governors’ Dialogueof the meeting discussion at thedomestic and abroad, participated in the(Nov. 2) and Mayors’ Forum (Nov. 3),

conference. The “Wuhan Declaration” wasConference. This was the second time forStudents’ Session and Children’s Meeting

adopted by the participants, which

the World Lake Conference to have been(both on Nov. 3). Thirty-two thematic

highlighted preciousness of freshwater andorganized in China, where currently many

sessions discussed wide-ranging issues

importance of lake conservation (See a fulllakes are faced with serious water pollution

and problems that lakes are currently

document at www.ilec.or.jp). At the end ofand ecosystem degradation amid thefacing. Some sessions were highlighted by

the Conference, as a tradition, the venue

continuing

economicpresentations from citizens, high-school

and organizer of the next conference wasdevelopment. The Chinese government

students and private sectors. There wereannounced. Prof. Walter Rast of Texas

wanted to use the opportunity of this16 keynote speeches presented by

University introduced the State of Texas,

Conference to stop further degradation anddistinguished speakers from China andUSA and his university, and extended a

expand rehabilitation efforts towards

abroad. They included Stockholm Water

happy welcome message to the audience,

conservation of lakes and rivers. Mr. Zhou

Prize Winners (Professors Sven Erik

calling wide participation. The 14th World

Shengxian, Minister of the Ministry ofJorgensen and William J. Mitsch),

Lake Conference is scheduled forEnvironmental Protection of the People’s

Representatives

November 2011.

Republic of China and President of theOrganizations (World Bank, UNEP) and

ILEC organized a number of sessions on

13th World Lake Conference, stressed the

National Governments (Japan, China).

the occasion of this Conference, self-

importance and necessity of “balancing

Along

an

organized or co-organized, in addition toeconomic

remarkable

with

the

from

International

Conference,lake

International Technology and Equipment

the mentioned above. They include a JICA

environment conservation” by repeating

Exhibition was organized for the first time

follow-up session, the UNEP-IETC/ILEC

the key concept “Rehabilitation: lettingfrom Nov. 1-3. Many water-related

Joint Session on Innovative Technologies

rivers and lakes rest and recuperate fromcompanies from China and overseas(both on Nov. 3), a TWAP (Transboundary

human impacts” in his keynote speech atpresented

Water

the opening ceremony

technologies for water management andConsultative Meeting (Nov. 4), and anlake restoration.

ILBM Experts Meeting (Nov. 6) organizeddevelopment

andThis World Lake Conference became

theirstate-of-the-art

Assessment

one of the most eventful ones in its history

On Nov. 5th, the final day of thein collaboration with Shiga University as

due to extensive support from the Chinese

Conference, Dr. Masahisa Nakamura,part of activities under “Lake Basin

Government. In addition to normally

Professor of Shiga University andGovernance Project”.

organized sessions and events, theChairperson of the ILEC Scientific

Conference organized a number of unique

Committee, made a comprehensive review

Governor's Dialogue
On the afternoon of November 2, 2009, a
Governor's Dialogue was held as one of
the special events of the 13th World Lake
Conference. The governor of Hubei
province (the host province), vice
governors of Hunan, Yunnan, Jiangsu andJiangxi provinces from China, and thegovernor of Shiga Prefecture, Japan,
participated in the event. Other participants
included the vice minister from the Ministryof Environmental Protection, PRC and theformer German Defense Minister among
others.
This event took place at the Hubei
Television Station in Wuhan City, about 20
minutes away from the venue of the World
Lake Conference. The Dialogue wasbroadcast live not only in Hubei Province,
but also across the country via satellite.
2

Programme)

A TV shot from Governors’ Dialogue

This shows a high expectation and athe provinceﾕ s lake environment

combat eutrophication problems currently

strong interest in this Dialogue on Chineseconservation measure through theafflicting more than 80 percent of the lakes

side.

management of forests, which cover morein China. He also mentioned special

The Governor of Shiga Prefecture, Ms.

than 60 percent of the land of the province.

regulative measures on some very

Yukiko Kada, explained various lake

The governor of Hubei province explained

important lakes.

conservation activities being undertaken inefforts to build a recycling system for theDuring the Conference, a similar event

Shiga Prefecture, as well as the

purpose of creating a beautiful countryside,

entitled the "Mayor's Forum" wasprefecture's international experiences andthrough which they achieved reduction oforganized on November 3. This is the firstcontribution in lake conservation, such as

the amount of chemical fertilizers andtime the heads of the local governments

hosting of the World Lake Conference inpesticides released from rice fields andgot together on the occasion of the World

the past. She also emphasized the role ofpoultry and hog farms. The vice governor

Lake Conference. The organization ofagriculture in lake basin management byof Hunan province presented their law

these two events demonstrates anshowing some ongoing projects being

enforcement approach, by which they

increasing role of local governments and a

implemented

closed down a paper mill plant which had

higher"Environmentally Friendly Agriculture" and

under

the

name

of

been a constant source of contamination of

governments in the conservation of lakes.

"Rice Field as Fish Cradles."the lakes in their province. The Vice-

From the provinces of China, the vice

Minister explained the government's strict

governor of Jiangxi province talked about

regulation about the release of water to

expectation

to

the

local

A Japan-China-Korea Children Gathering
A special event “A Japan-China-Korea
Children Gathering” was co-organized at
the occasion of the 13th World lake
Conference in Wuhan, China, by the
Ramsar Center of Japan, Shiga Prefecture
and ILEC, in collaboration with the Ramsar
partners in China and Korea. The objective
was to share experiences and opinions
about environmental activities among thechildren of the three neighboring countries.
From Japan, seven children selected
through public advertisement in Shiga
Prefecture participated in the event. They
had four meetings before going to China to
study about Lake Biwa, the nearest andmost familiar lake to them, under guidanceof Professor Munetsugu Kawashima from
Shiga University.
On November 1st, 2009, Japanesechildren and their attendants visited

13th World Lake Conference andhome towns were registered Ramsar sites,

Huazhongli Primary School in Wuhan tointerviewed Professor Sven Jorgensen, amade presentations about their lakeparticipate in an opening ceremony of2004 Stockholm Prize Winner, and Ms

environment conservation activities in front“Wetland School” (The school was

Adelina Santos-Borja, an official of Lakethe audience of more than 100, including

designatedLagunaAuthority,

Yukiko Kada, Governor of Shiga

environmental study). After that, together

Philippines. Based on their findings andPrefecture, Japan and Hironori Hamanaka,with their friends from China and Korea,

coverage, they published a “Children’s

Director General of ILEC. After that, they

they visited Lake Choto designated as a

Newspaper”.

had discussion how to enjoy lakes while

a

model

schoolforDevelopment

protected lake by the municipality because

On November 3rd, 2009, a special

protecting them, including doing someof its important role as a habitat for manyexchange event “Japan-China-Korea

exercise using cards. Through this event,hawks and herons.

Children’s Meeting” took place. Twenty

children not only learned about lake

On November 2nd, 2009, the children(20) children, 7 from Japan, and 13 of theirenvironment problems, but also they

participated in an opening ceremony of thecounterparts from China and Korea, whose

deepened their friendship.
3

Student’s Meeting on Lake Management at WLC 13
An international student meeting wasorganized during the 13th World Lake
Conference on November 3rd as a special
technical session, chaired by Dr. Michio
Kumagai (Researcher of Lake Biwa
Environmental Research Center) and Dr.
Charles Goldman (Professor of the
University of California, Davis). The"Student Session" aimed to discuss avision for the future how to practicesustainable lake basin management torealize a low carbon society. Thirteen
members participated in the session,
including students from various countries,
Chinese government officials, and lake
researchers.
Prior to this session, the international
participants made a field visit to Lake
Taihu, the third largest lake in China from
October 30th to 31st, 2009 to do some

Chinese government official. Then Mr.

forward in realizing a low-carbon society,preparation for discussion at the meeting.

Masahiro Abe, a Ritsumeikan University

focusing on stopping the rising of lake

They visited a number of places, including

student and the representative of students,

water temperature leading to frequenta plant near Wuxi, a place engaged inreported findings about their visit to Lakeoccurrence of eutrophication", "How to

removing the lake's algae, an aquaculture

Taihu. Next, students presented their ideas

encourage a meaningful exchange of ideas

farm near Lake Taihu, and a dredging

to improve the water environment of Lakeand opinions among stakeholders," andoperation unit. They learned that the

Taihu, about which students and experts"Development of a compact town with less

Chinese government has been undertaking

discussed

impact on lakes", and so on.

aseriousgovernment officials. The discussion

The session was wrapped up by

eutrophication problems, but most of themcovered wide-ranging topics, such as

Professor Goldman and closed with anseem to be "treating symptoms as they

"Technical control of non-point source

announcement that the 2nd Students

appear", not attacking the true causes.

contamination through calculation of

Meeting, of which 1st one was organized inParticipants had a feeling that it may takeoverall amount of run-off", "Promotion of2008 in Shiga, Japan, will be held insome more time to reach a true solution.

environmental

September 2010 at Lake Tahoe Environmentallotmeasures

to

fight

The session started with a brief

withresearchers

education

to

and

raise

awareness on water problems and theenvironmental

responsibilities of people living in the basin

problems in Lake Taihu by Mr. Cho Limin,of Lake Taihu", "Need of initiatives to go

presentation

about

Research Center near the lake.

JICA Follow-up Session

4

The JICA Follow-up session was held at

Professor Masahisa Nakamura, with Ms.

Lake Beira (Sri Lanka), Poyang Lakethe 13th World Lake Conference (WLC13)

Adelina Santos-Borja as sub-chair and Dr.

(Cina), Lake Chilika (India), and Rinconada

in Wuhan, China on November 3, 2009.

Victor Muhandiki as adviser.

Lakes (the Philippines), followed bycomments and suggestions from the

The objective of the session was to bringSix past JICA Trainees, one from Sri

together past trainees of the JICA-funded,

Lanka, China, India, and three from the

ILEC-implemented Integrated Lake Basin

Philippines participated in the session and

Ms. Santos-Borja pointed out eco-Management Training Courses (previously

made presentations about the lake

tourism as a common issue in the four

called Water Quality Monitoring Training

environment in their countries withcase studies presented as a means of

Course) to share experiences sincereference to the country reports they madeconserving lakes. Prof. Matsui observed

completing the courses. The session wasat the end of their training course. The

that there is need to maintain good water

chaired by Professor Saburo Matsui andpresentations included four lakes, namely

quality by installing sewage treatment

above-mentioned experts.

facilities in the case of urban lakes toenhance tourism, while there is no suchneed in the lakes where aquaculture isimportant. Prof. Nakamura noted that it isoften the case that funds are allocated forresource development while little or nofunds get allocated for resource provision
services that lakes provide. To break thisviciouscycle,

financialresource

mobilization has to be addressed in acollective way and we have to make astrong case for appropriate funding forresource provision services.
In

concluding,Prof.

Nakamuraemphasized that there is need forcontinuous lesson learning and experiencesharing to accelerate mutual learning andbroaden the scope of what we are doingcollectively.

IETC-ILEC Session on Innovative Technologies for
Water Management and Lake Restoration
This session was co-organized byliquid/solid to agriculture, in which hetoxicological monitoring system using

UNEP-IETC and ILEC on November 3,

demonstrated that traditional technologies

Closterim sp. and Daphnia. He also

2009, with participation by about 40

are used even in innovative technologies.

showed the equipment his company

experts in the field of technologies forDr. Yoshimori Kato of Nihon Suido

developed and illustrated the application ofwater management and lake restoration.

Consultants Co. introduced his company’s

the technology in some countries. Dr.

There were five presentations covering aenergy efficient technology to prevent

Sandeep Sudhakar Joshi from India

wide range of topics. Dr. Saburo Matsui,

eutrophication focused on toxic algae

stressed the need of restoration of lake

Emeritus Professor of Kyoto University,

control using water density circulation

environment based on eco-hydrology

introduced

traditional

system. Dr. Sang Gil Kim from Southprinciples. He also highlighted thetechnologies for recycling of organic

Korea introduced an innovative eco-usefulness of ILBM framework for the lake

new

and

basin management. Finally Dr. Yosuke
Yamashiki, associate professor of Kyoto
University

introduced

therecentdevelopment in monitoring techniques, andemphasized the usefulness of modeling aspart of assessment tool for monitoring. At
the end of his presentation, he showed aprediction about the serious effects ofglobal warming on Lake Biwa based on thelatest simulation model. Global warming is
a common and global concern to lakes
around the world. Modeling can play animportant role in projecting the future
possible conditions taking place in lakes.
After presentations, a question/answer
session was held, chaired by Professor
Matsui. Active discussion and exchange ofuseful information were undertaken by theparticipants.

5

Promotion of ILBM: Current and for the Future
Since its launching at the 11th World Lake Conference (2005, Kenya), Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) has
been gaining an increasing support in various parts of the world, including through the “Lake Governance Project” (A joint
project among Shiga University, University of Shiga Prefecture, and ILEC, sponsored by the Ministry of Education andSciences, Japan). The following is a summary of the current status of ILBM promotion and discussion about its future
strategy.

■ ILBM Special Expert Group Meeting: ILBM Beyond WLC13
An ILBM Special Expert Group Meeting
was held on 6th November 2009 in Wuhan,
China, following the 13th World Lake
Conference (WLC13). The aim of the meeting
was to make an interim progress review on
the ILBM-Governance Project currently being
pursued for selected lake basins in different
parts of the world, in relation to the outcomeof the WLC13.
The meeting was chaired by Prof.
Masahisa Nakamura. Nearly 60 participantsjoined the meeting, including representatives
from the local ILBM-Governance project
teams, invited experts in various disciplinary
fields pertinent to ILBM, ILEC ScientificExperts discussing strategies for ILBM promotion

Committee members, and individuals interested

Main points of the discussion from the casein the global ILBM challenge.
Presentations were made under two

presentations are summarized below:

It was noted that ILBM activities in Russia arevery much science driven unlike the cases
presented from other countries.

themes. The first theme was “Outputs from

India: Ongoing ILBM activities in Upper

Local, National and Regional ILBM-

Bhima Basin and Yeshwantsagar (Ujjani

Malaysia: It was noted that in Malaysia

Governance Workshops” with presentationsLake) in Maharashtra State were highlighted.

efforts are already underway to make ILBM a

on: 1) Needs, Accomplishments and

Jal dindi (an annual pilgrimage on water) was

national program. Lake briefs for eight lakes

Challenges

andnoted as an example of a people’s movement

are under preparation. In contrast to theLatin/Central Americas), 2) National Policythat has had significant impact in creating

Russian case that focuses on science, inand Program Development: Interim Outputs

environmental awareness.

Malaysia the focus is on the ILBM process.

(India,Philippines(Malaysia and Nepal), and 3) Knowledge

Philippines: Ongoing ILBM activities in theLake Victoria Basin: The Lake Victoria

Base: Its Development, Use and its Impacts

Philippines were highlighted. Institutional

Environment Management Project Phase II(Russia and ILEC). The second theme wasarrangements were identified as one of the(LVEMP II) that is currently under“ILBM Global Strategy Development”, withkey challenges in lake basin management in

implementation was introduced. It was noted

presentations on: 1) Local, National, Regional

the Philippines.

that the LVEMP II had incorporated ILBM

and Global Actions: What's Next?, 2)

Russia: Presentations were made on long-

principles in its design. The need to share

Decentralized ILBM Resource Development

term monitoring of Lakes Ladoga, Pskovsko-

lessons from the already completed Phase I

and Networking, and 3) ILEC's Role andChudskoe and Ilmen, and informationof the project (LVEMP I) was noted.

Regional Focal Point Initiatives.

systems for data storage and communication.

■ ILBM Expert Meeting in Japan

6

Japan has a long history in lakenewsletter (No.52), the three parties

activities, the Forum organized an expert

management. It is very useful to re-visit thesepromoting the "Lake Governance Project" setgathering under the title of "Integrated

past experiences from the ILBM perspectives

up a "Basin Management Policy Forum" toManagement and Basin Governance in somefor refining and developing ILBM framework

study management practices and discuss

Japanese Lake Basins: Changes andin the future. As already mentioned in the lastchallenges in lake management. As part of its

Prospects". The meeting was held from

September 17th to 20th, 2009 on the lakesidein Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
The event brought together about 20
researchers and experts from various parts ofJapan. On Day 1 (September 17) was a fieldvisit to the north basin of Lake Biwa, whereexperts made observation of the latest
conditions of the lake under guidance of local
experts.
On Days 2-3 (September 18-19) was a twoday experts meeting which introduced lakebasin management practices in various lakebasins in Japan, followed by a keen andproductive

discussion

about

the

presentations. Eight presentations from fourJapanese experts exchanging ILBM experiences

regions were reported, including "Lakes inTone river and Kanto region", "Lake Shinji

stakeholders (community, experts, local

symposium on "New Trends in Lake Biwa

and Nakaumi basin", "Lake Suwa and Tenryu

governments, etc.), taking into account theComprehensive Conservation" in theRiver basin", "Tokoro river and Lake Saroma

regional history and basin characteristics.

afternoon. Community people and citizens

basin", and "Bibi river /Ishikari river and LakeOn the last day (September 20), the Forum

Utonai basin". All of these cases provided ahosted an open seminar entitled "Newgood showcase of the cooperation in thedevelopment in Japanese Lake Basinbasin management between different

Management" in the morning, and a memorialactively participated in these events to
exchange discussions with experts.

■ ILBM Training in Yunnan Province, China
Environment degradation is becoming
serious in Yunnan Province, PR China, inparticular Kunming city and the Lake
Dianchi Basin. In August 2008, ILEC was
requested by the World Bank to support
their on-going project which includes
in s t a l l m e n t o f s e w a g e t r e a t m e n t
facilities and promotion of environment
management practices in this region.
Based on the discussion with Bank
project managers, we decided to
implement ILBM Training, focusing on
capacity building to manage the lake basin
keeping in mind regional issues andproblems. Specifically, we organized thefollowing

three

different

depending on target trainees from wideranging stakeholders including decisionmakers, technical and management staff,
researchers, and lake management
practitioners.
Participants learned the importance of
ILBM approach and recognized the needof its implementation. Teaching materials
were prepared in Chinese for the use of
training in other parts of China.

Chinese participants learning about ILBM

courses,
Dates

Target trainee

Contents of training

Technical &Administrative staff,
March 15 –Researchers, Lake
April 4, 2009
management
practitioners＊ Useful application of geographic information systems(GIS) linked with socio-economic information＊ Technical training of using geographic information
systemDecision-makers,
May 4 – 11,
Technical &2009
Administrative staff＊ Lake basin management by ILBM approach＊ Case studies/Challenges of ILBM implementation

High-ranking
May 12 – 22,
decision makers/
2009
Support staff＊ Policy development based on ILBM approach＊ Institutional roles and arrangements to practice ILBM

7

Limnological notes froma Mediterranean island
Luigi Naselli-Flores
Department of Botanical Sciences, University of Palermo
ILEC Scientific Committee Member– E-mail: luigi.naselli@unipa.it
Sicily is the largest island (26,000 km2) inpurposes. The direct catchment area covers

stored. During this emptying phase, water

the Mediterranean Sea and one of the mosta surface of 138 km2 and the lake surface isabstraction is not compensated by any inflow.

densely populated areas in the region (about

3.5 km at maximum capacity (180 m a.s.l.).

In this way, a summer drawdown occurs and6 million inhabitants). It is characterized by an

Most of the nutrient loading into Lake Arancio

the water level reaches its minimum value inaverage annual rainfall of 750 mm y , andcomes from untreated urban wastes (a village

October/November. The intensity and extent

annual average temperature is 18℃. A

of about 7000 inhabitants is located close toof water abstraction may differ conspicuously

Mediterranean semi-arid climate is typical of

the lake's shore) and agriculture. Intensivefrom year to year and a variety of physicalthe hilly and lowland parts of the island. In

agriculture in its catchment significantly

structures are precipitated by high flushing

general, these areas are the most exploitedcontributes fertilizers as well as the untreatedrates and abrupt fluctuations in water level.

for intensive agriculture. To fulfil irrigation

wastes coming from a wine factory and a pig

The strength of these hydrological events canneeds and supply drinking water, 30 dam-farm, ending up in freshwater. On the whole,

be considered an important factor governing3

reservoirs, impounding a total of 750×10 m ,the lake is receiving an estimated load ofboth the biotic and abiotic compartments ofwere built in the last 60 years. However, theabout 12 tons of phosphorus per year. The

these ecosystems, whose effects are rather

lack of any plan to cut off nutrient loads totheoretical volume is 32×106 m with acomplex and mainly involve bottom-up

recipient water bodies has rapidly driven all of

maximum depth of 30 m at the dam and apatterns.

these aquatic ecosystems to eutrophication.

mean depth of 9 m. These values have been

Water-level fluctuations, especially summer

-1

6

8

2

3

European countries have successfully

seldom attained since the creation of the lakedrawdown, interfere with the periodicity andresponded to eutrophication threats by

due to the peculiarity of Mediterranean

stability of thermal stratification. The deep

managing human nutrient emission andclimate. Schematically, this type of climate is

location of outlets, typical of reservoirs,

several Directives were issued by EU, thecharacterized by a dry and warm summer

allows summer dewatering causing a depth

most famous being the so-called "Water

semester, alternating with a wet and rainy

decrease, but leaving the thickness of the

Framework Directive", aimed at protecting

winter one. The length of the dry period canepilimnion unchanged by dragging down theinland water and at setting quality standards

vary and recurrent periods of prolonged

thermocline. However, if over a certain

for freshwater compatible with their different

drought with a periodicity of 11-12 years areamount of water abstraction occurs, theusages. Unfortunately, a counter tendency

also typical. Due to the insularity of Sicily andstability of the water column is compromised,

has been observed in Sicily and almost all ofaccording to its morphology, the river-network

thermocline breaks, and the removal of water

its water bodies are still suffering the noisyof the region is mainly formed by torrent-likeresults in a deepening of the mixed layer

effects of eutrophication, which can be(often temporary) systems, whose discharge(Naselli-Flores 2003). Ultimately, thesimplified in a structural and functionalis strictly dependent on precipitation. Thus,

breaking of the thermocline modifies thechange in the biological community often

Sicilian reservoirs are characterized by wide

mixing depth-euphotic depth ratio of theseleading to cyanobacterial toxic blooms. The

water-level fluctuations because of thewater bodies. Actually, the deepening of thecauses of this inverse trend are complex andalternate periods of water storing and use:

mixed layer may be analogized to the effectinvolve political and socio-economic aspects,

the wet winter season and the dry summerof the truncation of the euphotic depth due towhich have been characterizing this region

season. As a rule, reservoirs reach theiran increase of phytoplankton biomass, which

since more than one century (for more details

maximum level in April/May at the end of theis generally taken to be the consequence of asee Giglioli and Swyngedouw 2008).

rainy season. During the filling phase, no

shift towards a higher trophic state. The effectAmong Sicilian reservoirs, Lake Arancio issignificant water abstraction occurs.

is to increase the value of the mixing depth-

one of the best studied and offers a

Afterwards, the absence of precipitation, theeuphotic depth ratio, thus modifying theparadigmatic overview of Sicilian water

rapid raise of temperature and theunderwater light climate. This profoundly

bodies. The lake, created in 1951, is located｡in the South-West Sicily (Italy) at 37 37"37" N｡and 13 03"53" E, and it is mainly used toevapotranspiration losses generate a strong

affects the structure of phytoplankton

water request for irrigation and drinking

assemblages and their seasonal cycles; thus

purposes, which may cause a volume

a change in the value of Zmix / Zeu is generally

retain water for irrigation and recreational

contraction of more than 90% of the water

followed by sharp changes in the structure ofphytoplankton assemblage. The organisms
which form the spring assemblage are
replaced by phytoplankton species with anelongated needle shape which enables themto tolerate highly unbalanced dark/light cycles
or, when the underwater environment is too
dark and Zmix / Zeu > 3.5, which can regulate
their buoyancy. In this latter group, gasvacuolated, toxin producing cyanobacteria
are the best represented phytoplankton.
These are generally hardly edible forzooplankton, thus impairing the control

Lake Arancio dam. On the dam’s wall the signs left by the water at different levels are easily visible.

exerted by planktonic herbivores on primaryreservoir bottom, sustaining phytoplankton

producers.

contribute to worsening water quality.

growth throughout the summer. An evaluation

The only way to counteract this tendency is

Moreover, the Mediterranean climateof the phosphorus balance in Lake Arancio

the urgent development of a more integrated

affects nutrient loading temporal patterns

has shown that the amount of phosphorus

eutrophication management strategy. The

since nutrients from the catchment can reachentering the reservoir during the rainy season

goal of the strategy should be to reduce thethe water bodies only during winter, whenis higher than that flushed out during thefrequency and intensity of cyanobaterial

precipitation occurs. In this season, accordingsummer emptying phase (Naselli-Flores andblooms and other water quality problems

to temperature, productivity is low and no

Barone 2005), causing the progressive

associated with nutrient pollution inwater outflow occurs from the reservoirs;

increase of the internal loading. Thus, theMediterranean reservoirs. To meet this goal,

thus, these environments act as a

anticipated breaking of the thermocline doesa management of hydrological patterns in thephosphorus sink; as a consequence, theircontribute to make this reservoir opticallyreservoirs has to be planned. However, thisinternal loading is constantly increasing. The

deep as well as to supply it with nutrientsalone would only be a palliative method.

high amount of organic matter causes very

which sustain phytoplankton biomass

Eutrophication phenomena in Sicilian andrapid oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion ataccumulation.

biomass

Mediterranean reservoirs can be effectively

the onset of stratification, and the pH

accumulation is inversely related to water

counteracted only promoting an integrated

decreases. This reduced environmental

transparency and euphotic depth, further

lake basin management (ILEC 2007)

conditionofcontributing to high values of the mixing

planned:phosphorus trapped in the sediment. The

zone-euphotic zone ratio. Ultimately, nutrienti) to reduce nutrient concentrations

dragging down of the thermocline caused bysupply promotes secondary modifications inreaching the recipient water bodies (i.e.

the summer dewatering allows the "migration"

the physical environment through theimplementing waste treatment plants andof anoxic zones of reservoir bottom into thedecrease of light availability, again selecting

reducing fertilizers);

circulating part of the water body. Several

those species better adapted to darkerii) to improve operational procedures and tohectares per week of reservoir bottom can beenvironments.

minimize the effects of water-levelpromotesthereleaseHowever,fluctuations;re-exposed to circulation and release their

The pattern here described, has contributed

nutrient content to the upper layers, as

to seriously impair water quality of Lakeiii) to increase the communityﾕs awarenessdemonstrated by the frequent pulses ofArancio, leading to a hypereutrophic stateof eutrophication problems and theirreactive phosphorus recorded in Lakeconstantly dominated by toxin-producing

associated risks;

Arancio in summer, when there is not any

cyanobacteria. Analogously, several otheriv) to force, in this way, the political rulers

water input from the catchment.

reservoirs in the island are facing the same

toward a more efficient utilization ofThis pattern can be worsened whenfate. It is thus possible to say that

economic resources and, last but notthermocline breaks. In fact, due to the higheutrophication processes proceed muchsummer temperature, reservoirs may show

faster in these man-made lakes than in

an atelomictic behavior. This consists in anatural ones because the above cited

betterdaily circulation pattern, which further

operational procedures applied to reservoirs

knowledge about the influence of local

contributes to nutrient release from thehave a general negative impact andfactors on ecosystem functioning.

least,v) to promote research in order to obtain
informationandscientific

References
Giglioli I, Swyngedouw E (2008) Letﾕs Drink to the Great Thirst! Water and the Politics of Fractured Techno-natures in Sicily. Int J Urban Reg Res 32:392-414
ILEC (2007). Integrated Lake Basin Management: An Introduction. International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Kusatsu, Japan, 26 pp.
Naselli-Flores L (2003) Man-made lakes in Mediterranean semi-arid climate: The strange case of Dr Deep Lake and Mr Shallow Lake. Hydrobiologia
506/509:13-21
Naselli-Flores L, Barone R (2005) Water-level fluctuations in Mediterranean reservoirs: setting a dewatering threshold as a management tool to improvewater quality. Hydrobiologia 548: 85-99.

9

ILBM for African Lake Basin Management with
Sanitation Challenges (ILBM-AFSAN)ILEC has obtained an applied study fundIntroduction of participatory approaches in

Ministry of Environment, Japan, to undertakewater quality and ecosystem service

a project on African lake basins facing

assessment for their restoration is one of thedeteriorating water environment and sanitaryimportant components of the study.

conditions. The objective of the project is forthe project team to explore, in collaboration

Specifically, the activities will include thehealth awareness of the affected
communities.
3) Organizing ILBM-related workshops
participated by local stakeholders working
on lake basin resource use andconservation. They will hopefully serve

following:

for identifying and sharing the ILBM

with local counterparts, various ways to meet1) Based on the exiting literature andthe lake basin management and sanitation

survey results, an overview analysis will

challenges through the application of ILBM

be made on the state of lake basins,

4) Developing an ILBM implementation plan

(Integrated Lake Basin Management)

particularly with regard to point and non-adapted to the local conditions with local

approach . The project team will conduct a

point source pollution and runoff ofinitiatives, while experimenting with provisionseries of field visits and collaborative studies

untreated sewerage discharge, togetherof catalytic intervention tools to local

with the help of local governments, NGOs,

with analysis of their biophysicalcommunities, such as participatory waterinternational technical collaboration agencies,

characteristics and the socio-economic

quality monitoring and facility operation

research institutions and experts in Africa.

implications to the basin communities.

and maintenance, through broad-based

Assessment will be made on ways to improve2) Based on the field visits and consultative

issues with sanitation challenges.

community education programs.

sanitation conditions, particularly in areas

meetings held in selected "model" lake

In addition, analysis will be made on theinnovative onsite facilities such as ecologicalbasins, analysis will be made on

viability of adapting various mitigation

sanitation and rehabilitation of existingalternative possibilities to restore andmeasures to deal with the climate change

infrastructures that would better serve forrehabilitate water quality and ecosystem

impacts that are now believed to havesustainable

integrity as well as to enhance public-

become quite serious globally.

use

and

maintenance.

GEF Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP)
ー GEF Medium-Size Project ーagencies are the following:Transboundary water basins are basinspartners already engaged in assessment

shared by two or more countries. As a result,efforts. Overall, the project involves 19

bGroundwater ー UNESCO-IHP

the management of these systems forpartners, including the Ministry for ForeignbLakes & Reservoirs ー ILEC

sustainable use is a double-edged challenge,

Affairs of Finland, a number of UN and other

bRivers ー UNEP-DHI

not only because of their specific waterinternational organizations and universities.

bLarge Marine Ecosystemproblems, but also because of the political

The project was christened in late-June 2009

implications of their transboundary nature.

with an Inception Meeting held at the UNEP-

Further, there presently is no internationally-

DHI Centre for Water and Environment inagreed assessment methodology for their

Hørsholm, Denmark.

ー UNESCO-IOC
bOpen Ocean ー UNESCO-IOC
To develop the lake assessment
methodology, ILEC formed a core teamproper evaluation. Because of this reality, theThe goal of the project is to develop an

consisting of ILEC Scientific Committee

United Nations Environment Programme

assessment methodology(ies) relevant,members (Chairperson Dr. Masahisa(UNEP) enlisted the assistance in June 2008

credible and legitimate for each of the five

Nakamura; Vice-Chairperson Dr. Walterof relevant water organizations within andabove-noted water systems. Because of its

Rast) and an international lake management

outside the UN System to develop a

reputation and consideration of expertise

expert (Dr. Jeffrey Thornton, Southeastern“Transboundary

Assessment

regarding the assessment and management

Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission).

Methodology,” as a means assessing the fiveof lakes and their basins for sustainable use,

The team has subsequently held threemajor water systems, including lakes, rivers,

ILEC was requested to chair the Lake

meetings on the assessment project,groundwater, large marine ecosystems, andWorking Group of this international project.

including a consultative meeting in November

the open ocean. This initiative was officiallyThe

assessment

2009 at the 13th World Lake Conference inapproved by the Global Environment Facility

methodology(ies) is meant as the basis for a

Wuhan, China, with lake representatives from(GEF) as a Medium-Size Project (MSP) In

subsequent GEF-sponsored global-scale

a number of countries involved in lake

January 2009, and is being coordinated byassessment and demonstration projects inassessment and management efforts. In

UNEP’s Division of Early Warning andthe post-MSP phase.

developing a lake assessment methodology,

Water

Assessment (DEWA) through its many10

to-be-developed

Five Working Groups and their lead

ILEC will focus on impairment of ecosystemanalyses to improve its methodology.

services as a major prioritization criterion,“governance” as common components

and the role of lake governance in addressing

overarching the five different assessment

The TWAP provides a basis for monitoringthese impairments.

methodologies. The five groups will elaborate

and assessment in the subsequent global-

A recent meeting was held 14-17

their own methodology(ies) in preparing theirscale assessment, a long-term GEF program

December 2009 at UNESCO in Paris to

proposed assessment approach by Julyto be undertaken upon completion of the

discuss inter-linkages between the five water

2009, and collectively identify “indicators” for

MSP. It also provides the GEF with a means

system groups, as well as appropriate

each water system group, based onof more effectively using its limited funds toassessment indicators. A major outcome ofconsideration of the commonalities andaddress priority transboundary water issues.

this meeting was the general support ofdifferences between the water systems. ILEC

Because assessment activities are an

ILEC’s proposed impairment of ecosystem

will incorporate a trans-media component(s)integral part of ILEC’s ongoing Integrated

services approach as the basis for an thein the lake assessment methodology, in

Lake Basin Management (ILBM) efforts, ILEC

project’s

assessment

recognition of the inter-connections between

looks forward to contributing to the outcome

methodology(ies). There also was agreement

the different water systems, includingof this important global assessment effort.

to “ecosystem services conservation” andinclusion of the results of case study

transboundary

JICA Training Course: Preservation of Marshlands
in Southern Iraq
The Iraqi southern marshland, located atdevelop environment conservation plans

visit of Moriyama town, they practiced “Eri”

the convergence of two great rivers, theTigris

through the visit of various activities taking

fishing at Lake Biwa with the help ofand Euphrates, was severely damaged

place around Lake Biwa.

Moriyama Fishermen’s Union. They also

during the Hussein Era. Based on the

In one of the highlights, trainees were given

visited an NGO called “Akanoi-Biwako

agreement between the Government of

a thought-provoking lecture from Professor

Environmental Citizens’ Initiative” andJapan and the Iraqi Government, JICA

Masahiro Murakami of Kochi University oflearned about community-based activities for

decided to support the restoration of thisTechnology. The professor, based on theenvironment conservation. In Kyoto

marshland and requested ILEC to organize

results obtained from a state-of-the-art

Prefecture, trainees met with another NGO

this training course in 2005. This is the only

climate change simulation program, gave acalled NICCO (Nippon International

initiativeenvironment

serious projection that there may be no water

Cooperation for Community Development) toconservation among many JICA projects toin Tigris and Euphrates in the future, because

hear about their organic farming activities insupport Iraq. So far, ILEC has led 44 trainees

of projections of declining precipitation in

the Middle East. They also learned about

through this program.

focusedonTurkey, the source of water for the two rivers.

ecological sanitation. Interestingly, in spite of

The course leaders are Dr. Saburo Matsui,

In Shiga Prefecture, trainees visited many

their feces-phobia culture, they were curious

Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University, andplaces. In Maibara town, they carefully

to learn the practice of ecological sanitation

Mr. Masato Kawanishi, an expert from JICA.

watched a reverse-osmosis membrane

which uses feces as a fertilizer.

The overall goal of this training program is “toprocess to remove minerals from the brackish

All trainees highly appreciated this training

enhance the capacity of organizations andgroundwater and learned the potential value

course. In addition, they commented that they

officials working on the management ofof this technology for getting freshwater fromfound the Japanese people to be modest

southern marshlands in Iraqi” so that they will

seawater at home. At Hayasaki naiko (andespite the country having advanced

become able to collect data on water quality

attached lake), they observed lake restoration

technologies. In this way, this programand quantity, analyze them, and use theefforts and experienced some eco-tourism

contributes to raising the reputation of Japan

results to develop effective and feasible

activities at Nishinoko lake nearby. During thefrom people abroad.

environment management plans. By the endof 2007, the initiative identified watermonitoring points, provided measuring
devices, and proposed a networking schemeof institutions and information.
The 2008 course included 11 trainees from
the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of
the Environment, Ministry of Planning andDevelopment Cooperation, and three
universities (University of Baghdad, Basrah
University and Missan University). The aim of
the course was to get trainees to learn how toTrainees practicing “Eri” fishing at Lake Biwa

11

Activities of ILEC (January - December 2009)
January - March

July - September

b5th Integrated Lake Basin Management Training Course

bSpecial Envoy of Children for the 13th World Lake Conference(Jan. 13 - March 13, Sponsored by JICA)
bLake Governance Project Review Meeting for FY 2008
(March 2 - 8, Shiga, Sponsored by Ministry of Education &(Including four preparatory meetings and participation in“Children Session” at the World Lake Conference) (Aug. 1 ~Nov. 4, Sponsored by Heiwado Zaidan)
bParticipation in Stockholm Water Symposium & TWAP Lake

Science, Japan)
bILBM Training in Yunan Province-1

Group Meeting/Field visit to Lake Constance (Aug. 9-25,(March 15 – Aril 4, Yunnnan, China, Sponsored by WB,)bParticipation in WWF5

(March 17 - 22, Istanbul)

Stockholm, Lake Constance)b2nd Nature-based Environmental Education Training(Aug. 18 –Oct. 7, Sponsored by JICA)
b10th Environmental Education for Water

Ari - JunebILBM Training in Yunan Province-2(Aug. 31 – Oct. 16, Sponsored by JICA)(May 4 –11, Yunnnan, China, Sponsored by WB)
bILBM Training in Yunan Province-3

bILBM Japanese Experts Meeting (Sept. 17 - 20, Shiga,
Sponsored by Ministry of Education, Japan))(May 12 - 22, Yunnnan, China, Sponsored by WB)

bIETC Strategy Development Meeting

bWorld Environment Day Exhibition(Sept. 28-29, IETC Office, Osaka)(June 1 – 19, IETC-ILEC joint event,)
bParticipation in TWAP Inception Meeting

October - December(Jun 30 – July 2, Denmark)bTWAP Lake Group Meeting(Oct. 16-18, ILEC office)b13th World Lake Conference & TWAP-ILBM Meeting(Nov. 1- 5, Wuhan, China)bILBM Experts Meeting
bLake Basin Governance Workshop(Nov. 6, Wuhan, China)(Dec. 9 – 15, India)

bParticipation in TWAP Inter-linkage Working Group Meeting(Dec. 14-17, Paris)

INTERNATIONAL LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE--Secretariat--

121091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu-city, Shiga 520-0001, JAPANTEL +81-77-568-4567, FAX +81-77-568-4568, E-mail: info@ilec.or.jp