Water management and spatial data integration

Abstract

Managers of irrigation systems require heterogeneous, reliable and spatially distributed information. This provides an application for two technologies: remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). The approach is based on considerable experience of providing advice and setting up decision making tools for public authorities managing large areas. It is divided into several stages: strategy analysis; determination of success and failure factors; decision process analysis; definition of information products and their use; knowledge of the data and the constraints to develop these products; analysis of the tools to be developed. First of all, an example of applying this method to a specific case of water resources management is described and then the initial results of the approach applied to irrigation system management are presented. The method is focused on a limited number of information products, i.e. the most appropriate for managers' requirements. The aim of this approach is to encourage and help managers to analyse their requirement in terms of information products, to think in terms of decision, management and organisation processes and to develop a geographic information system that meets their requirements. Finally, a specific example of application in Pakistan is described.