A participatory assessment framework of river basin socioeconomic and ecological aspects in developing countries: The case of the Mekrou River basin in West Africa.

Transboundary river basins support a range of economic, social and ecological services that are of fundamental importance to people in developing countries. A more efficient use of river basin water resources streamlined with development policies and specific measures are important for the economic development and for poverty alleviation of in such countries. This paper provides an evaluation framework of techniques for assessing the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of transboundary river basin development policies in developing countries. An empirical application of this framework is proposed for the Mekrou international river basin in West Africa (Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso). Within this framework, achieving sustainable development in the Mekrou river basin requires a balance between securing the conservation of the river ecosystems, promoting sustainable economic activities (e.g. more efficient agricultural crops) and adapting to the social and cultural characteristics of the local population. Specifically, our research questions include: 1) What is the state of the art for valuing the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of development measures in transboundary river basins? 2) Which are the priorities related to water management in the Mekrou river basin? At this step of the analysis, we define the priorities for each sector (household, agriculture, ecosystem services, tourism) following a participatory process, inducing a Web survey and consultation with the relevant local stakeholders and partners. Defining the development priorities for each sector is important for addressing and implementing the relevant methods and tools towards local development. 3) What are the most appropriate techniques and tools to value costs and benefits of policies dedicated to each identified priority? Our work reviews a wide range of methods and tools for the estimation of direct agricultural and household values as well as stated and revealed preference methods (e.g. choice modeling, travel cost method). Additionally, our framework takes into account the data needs and analyses the methodological, practical and policy challenges.

REYNAUD Arnaud;  MARKANTONIS Vasileios; 

2015-05-13

ITALIAN ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS (IAERE)

JRC94516

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC94516,