97
volume, pp. 205–225). Jordan’s water management will be in the focus of the contribution of Yorke ( 2015 , in this volume, pp. 227–251). Here, the social and institutional
obstacles to an improved water management in Jordan are analysed. Bismuth et al.
( 2015 , in this volume, pp. 253–275) focus their analysis on the technical and fi nancial
instruments which Israel has introduced to face the water crisis during the last decade.
7.4 Signifi cance and Exemplary Importance
of the Case Studies
The fates of the Aral Sea and the Dead Sea are both exemplary for the slow decline
or even disappearance of many inland lakes under arid climate conditions. Both
case studies are relevant exemplary cases of the most common water problems and
the role of MWEPs – either as an instrument to solve some of those problems or as
a cause of additional problems. The case studies are also examples for the effects of
water projects that are mainly based on the advancements of hydrological engineering and on more or less sophisticated technological measures. Furthermore, the
river ecosystems affected by these measures are fragile, complex and valuable, and
are embedded into a many-faceted societal context characterised by opposed interests. We will focus not only on the frequently unpredictable effects of “technologies” on complex natural systems but also on the roles of the different stakeholders
in the decision-making process. The case studies illustrate the insuffi cient dialogue
and exchange between the different scientifi c disciplines involved, namely the
social sciences on the one hand and the technical natural-science-based disciplines
on the other. Stimulating such a dialogue and presenting new views on solutions and
perspectives is one of the major objectives of our research.
This entire discourse is not only of relevance for water management projects –
but rather, these fi ndings can be transferred to all major engineering projects at the
interface between ecosystems and societies. In view of the increasing numbers of
planned MWEPs, some at a larger scale and extent than any other project to date,
new approaches are needed, especially when it comes to secure future resources of
food, water and energy.
References
Allan JA, Malkawi AIH, Tsur Y (2012) Red Sea – Dead Sea water conveyance study program.
Study of alternatives. Preliminary draft report. World Bank Publications, Washington, DC
Bismuth C (2015) Cooperation and power asymetries in the water management of the Lower
Jordan alley – the situation today and the path that has led there. In: Huettl RF, Bens O, Bismuth
C, Hoechstetter S (eds) Society – water – technology: a critical appraisal of major water engineering projects. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 189–204
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
7 Research in Two Case Studies: Irrigation and Land Use in the Fergana Valley…
volume, pp. 205–225). Jordan’s water management will be in the focus of the contribution of Yorke ( 2015 , in this volume, pp. 227–251). Here, the social and institutional
obstacles to an improved water management in Jordan are analysed. Bismuth et al.
( 2015 , in this volume, pp. 253–275) focus their analysis on the technical and fi nancial
instruments which Israel has introduced to face the water crisis during the last decade.
7.4 Signifi cance and Exemplary Importance
of the Case Studies
The fates of the Aral Sea and the Dead Sea are both exemplary for the slow decline
or even disappearance of many inland lakes under arid climate conditions. Both
case studies are relevant exemplary cases of the most common water problems and
the role of MWEPs – either as an instrument to solve some of those problems or as
a cause of additional problems. The case studies are also examples for the effects of
water projects that are mainly based on the advancements of hydrological engineering and on more or less sophisticated technological measures. Furthermore, the
river ecosystems affected by these measures are fragile, complex and valuable, and
are embedded into a many-faceted societal context characterised by opposed interests. We will focus not only on the frequently unpredictable effects of “technologies” on complex natural systems but also on the roles of the different stakeholders
in the decision-making process. The case studies illustrate the insuffi cient dialogue
and exchange between the different scientifi c disciplines involved, namely the
social sciences on the one hand and the technical natural-science-based disciplines
on the other. Stimulating such a dialogue and presenting new views on solutions and
perspectives is one of the major objectives of our research.
This entire discourse is not only of relevance for water management projects –
but rather, these fi ndings can be transferred to all major engineering projects at the
interface between ecosystems and societies. In view of the increasing numbers of
planned MWEPs, some at a larger scale and extent than any other project to date,
new approaches are needed, especially when it comes to secure future resources of
food, water and energy.
References
Allan JA, Malkawi AIH, Tsur Y (2012) Red Sea – Dead Sea water conveyance study program.
Study of alternatives. Preliminary draft report. World Bank Publications, Washington, DC
Bismuth C (2015) Cooperation and power asymetries in the water management of the Lower
Jordan alley – the situation today and the path that has led there. In: Huettl RF, Bens O, Bismuth
C, Hoechstetter S (eds) Society – water – technology: a critical appraisal of major water engineering projects. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 189–204
Open Access This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
Noncommercial License, which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in
any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited.
7 Research in Two Case Studies: Irrigation and Land Use in the Fergana Valley…