Decision support systems for managing large international river basins: The Zambezi case

Research and organizational aspects of the development and implementation of an interactive decision-support-system (DSS) for management of the Zambezi basin are discussed in relation to the needs of riparian nations and their special characteristics as developing countries with settings and cultures very different from those of the DSS originators (the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria). The potential role and advantage of computer-based decision-support tools for Zambezi-basin management, especially to support international negotiations and agreements on joint use of shared water resources, are discussed in relation to key issues within the basin; hydroelectric power generation, land degradation, water diversion, and the development/exploitation of fishery potential, etc. The development and adaptation of an interactive DSS to meet needs arising from such issues are discussed. The end sections describe organizational aspects associated with transferring the DSS to the Zambezi basin countries and with training local water managers.