Development of Groundwater Drought Management Tools and Guidelines

Rationale

In spite of the importance of groundwater resources for regional growth, fundamental tools for transboundary groundwater management, such as hydro geological maps and maps of groundwater vulnerability and water scarcity, are not available in the SADC region.
As a result there is little consensus on the measurement and management of these resources. The tools to be developed under this component of the project will meet some of the specific needs identified by the SADC Regional Groundwater Management Programme and subsequently contribute to building consensus on the management of transboundary resources.

Key Outputs

• Improved knowledge of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
• Economic valuation of groundwater.
• Maps of groundwater vulnerability and water scarcity.
• Greater awareness among decision-makers of groundwater’s role in human development.
• Guidelines on better management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems throughout the region.