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This paper presents three common and simplified steps in conceptual modeling, which are also proposed as “tools” for project initiation. These steps are: 1) system characterization, 2) system structural analysis, and 3) multi-criteria modeling of alternative scenarios. The main motivation for a standardized approach is that that many projects involve complex systems with diverse stakeholders. Both of these aspects increase the need for effective communication and for including perspectives across disciplines and s...

The Volga River is today a cascade of lowland reservoirs. This allows flood prevention, river-sea navigation and hydropower generation. There are also disadvantages, such as the flooding of fertile floodplain lands, a decrease in water quality and drastic algal blooms in the summer season. Due to the problems triggered by the current system, alternative solutions have been proposed that include a decrease in the amount of water stored and a reduction in energy production being, which can be compensated with floati...

UNESCO’s Global Geopark Network reflects the importance of geo-heritage for society. The wide range of characteristics and the varied connections to the local ecology and culture are significant for their individual management. The aim of this article is to use comparisons between Geoparks as a step toward a generic, conceptual model that can be adapted and used to understand the crucial, functional relationships between system variables and how these variables can be optimized for stainable management. A general ...

The Volga River is essentially a cascade of reservoirs that provide hydroelectric energy. This technical solution made it possible to produce electricity for industrialization, to ensure the passage of river-sea vessels between five seas and to stop floods on the Volga River. Although often considered a green energy source, there are environmental and economic considerations that should be accounted for in a holistic and sustainable perspective, i.e. a life cycle of ca. 50 years, areal inundation by reservoir wate...

The UNESCO Global Geopark network is expanding. Geoparks are intended to play important roles in sustainable development. For this to happen, new sites geopark establishment need to be carefully evaluated. In addition, protection and maintenance of heritage and sustainability within established geoparks requires effective monitoring. Modern geographic information system (GIS) technologies have a lot to offer for effective landscape-scale assessments and monitoring of geo park territories. However, little attention...

Karezes represent a sustainable water supply since their discharge is regulated by the natural groundwater renewal in the mountains and on upslope surfaces in the valleys. Although most karezes have become inactive due to lowered groundwater levels, they can still be used together with other accessible information sources to initially and remotely interpret basin geohydrology and the groundwater resources when they were constructed (and today if still active). This is mainly done by using karezes to map the depth ...

A Geopark is a demarcated area with particularly interesting geologic heritage. Since the physical landscape is intimately related to both cultural and ecological characteristics, knowledge about geological sites can be essential for management of the resources in these settings. In this context, we suggest the term “Landscape Geopark” in order to stress the regional system perspective. Therefore, various stakeholders need to be included in Geopark planning, including researchers, tourists, seasonal and permanent ...

Stakeholders and project activities are related to the typical and usually necessary project components of: ideas, financing and implementation. Our aim is to illustrate useful steps in problem analysis, progressing from system characterization (analytical phase) to predictive modeling (synthesis phase). System analysis and multi-criteria evaluation are used to identify alternative scenarios regarding project goals. The model suggests that “public awareness” is best promoted in projects with a more balanced repres...