External authors:

• Christos A. Karavitis ( Agricultural University of Athens )
• Constantina Vasilakou ( Agricultural University of Athens )
• Dimitrios E. Tsesmelis ( University of Patras )
• Nikolaos A. Skondras ( Global Water Partnership Mediterranean GWP Med )
• Panagiotis D. Oikonomou ( Agricultural University of Athens , University of Vermont )
• Kleomenis Kalogeropoulos ( University of West Attica )
• Panagiotis A. Balabanis ( European Commiss )
• Rodrigo Maia ( Universidade do Porto , Interdisciplinary Ctr Marine & Environm Res CLIMAR )
• Enrique Playan ( CSIC - Estacion Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD) )
• Nery Zapata ( CSIC - Estacion Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD) )
• Luiz Gabriel Azevedo ( Inter-American Development Bank )
• Monica Porto ( Universidade de Sao Paulo )
• Manuel Vanegas ( Tecnol Calidad SA CV )
• Santiago Maria Reyna ( National University of Cordoba )
• D. Assimacopoulos ( National Technical University of Athens )
• Joao Pedro Pego ( Universidade do Porto , Interdisciplinary Ctr Marine & Environm Res CLIMAR )
• Andreas Tsatsaris ( University of West Attica )
• Garyfalia Economou ( Agricultural University of Athens )
• Stavros Alexandris ( Agricultural University of Athens )
• Vassilia Fassouli ( Minist Rural Dev & Food )
• Constantinos Chatzithomas ( Agricultural University of Athens )
• Iordanis Moustakidis ( South Mt Community Coll )
• Pantelis E. Barouchas ( University of Patras )

Abstract:

Integrated water resources management uses decision-making and planning techniques in developing long-term strategies to ensure the sustainability of water resources and the resulting water security of future generations. Policy formulation through such integrated planning interlinks with indicators serving as an information channel to decision-makers. The present effort aims to develop a specific methodology using technical, environmental, and social indicators, formulating composite indices to identify vulnerability to changing water conditions. Thus, a set of indices developed through a multiyear research effort in Latin America, namely Drought Vulnerability Index (DVI), Water Stress Vulnerability Index (WSTVI), Water Scarcity Vulnerability Index (WSCVI), and Water Changing Conditions Vulnerability Index (WCCVI). Time series analysis covered the years 1991-2020, whereas the reference period was 1961-2020. Climate and water resources information is mainly obtained from ERA5-Land reanalysis; social, economic, infrastructure, and institutional data derived from harmonized sources (COROADO Project-EU, FAO, The World Bank, WHO/UNICEF JMP). Statistical tests and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified the indicators included in the equations for each index. Expert knowledge played an important role in the development as data were collected according to known local specificities and global trends, as well as scientific criteria and methodological rigor regarding the proposed new indices. Finally, application of such a framework for spatially explicit analysis indicated higher levels of vulnerability to changing water conditions in the northern part of Mexico, the Andes, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Central America, and lower levels in Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This application demonstrates that the produced composite indices may be implemented with matching success all over Latin America and, therefore, in diversified natural, technical, environmental, social and economic conditions.