The Project:
• Why SEA-BASINS
• Implementation
• Partner Network

NAGA
• Strategy
• SE Asia Models
• Informatics

Active Basins
• Mekong Basin
• Sub-basins

• Restricted Papers
• Restricted Data

Implementation

SEA-BASINS is a joint endeavor of the UW (School of Oceanography and Department of Civil Engineering) and SEA START (Chulalongkorn University). START is responsible for networking multiple institutions for training and information throughout Southeast Asia (http://www.start.or.th). SEA/BASINS has proceeded with a series of information exchange and technical training workshops, starting in July of 1998. The First Partners Workshop, in Chiang Rai, November 1998, involved 40 scientists and engineers from across Southeast Asia, including universities, NGOs, government agencies, and UNESCO. Between workshops, development work continues at the UW and SEA START. Funding has been provided by START, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the NASA Earth Observing System program, Asia -Pacific Network (APN), START, UNOPS/GEF program, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Association Liaison Office (ALO) For University Cooperation in Development of AID.

The process of implementing SEA-BASINS is to develop an interactive and collaborative group of partners working on the structure and content of NAGA. There is a tremendous amount of information available for the region, but much of it is, like anywhere in the world, highly disperse. Working together on a common platform provides a vehicle for integration. A model can "predict" water flow or chemical properties everywhere throughout the region; but confidence builds only when results can be validated at diverse sites where information can be provided. "Ownership" of the product and hence the likelihood of it being used is much greater if the partners are actively involved. The capability for capacity building and student training is greatly enhanced if tools are provided for interactive access. The objective of the model is to evaluate changes in the water resources as a function of changes in landuse and land cover and regional climatology over river basins. It describes how materials are mobilized and transported from the land surface to the coastal zone. The model approach is derived from extensive research in the Amazon basin (Richey and Victoria 1996; http://boto.ocean.washington.edu/camrex).

The project recognizes three primary needs:

Need 1. Tools for systematic synthesis of information leading to a coherent information base that can be applied to regional evaluation. There is a large amount of data in the region, but little in the way of synthesis, tools to bring it together. It was recognized that while the focus here is on water, that the information is common to the linked gas emission and climate change agendas. As an end product, building a scaled modeling environment that addresses cumulative effects was seen as a very important product. Meeting this need requires that there be a systematic identification of what information is needed, then where is it and how it must be brought together.

Need 2. Predicative capability and scenario generation across multiple time and space scales. While critical, synthesized information alone is not sufficient. The capability to then use that information to evaluate resource and policy options is critical. This must be done with models, and should include economic values, benefit/cost ratios for managers at levels of evaluating specific actions. For example, the Mekong River Commission has a very strong requirement for a robust drainage basin development plan (including land use control and population density).

Need 3. Process for communication among regional scientists, especially interdisciplinary, and proactive between scientist and policy; including visualization. To bring together the multiple sources of information required, to analyze it with models, and ultimately convey not only to other scientists but to policy makers, is not a trivial nor commonplace task. It requires an explicit commitment to the process of communication and display. Solutions involve building capacity of interdisciplinary scientists (including recruiting young scientists trained in the tools of synthesis), communications development, and targeting how to involve policy makers. Technical issues of information communication and visualization must be incorporated in the process.

There are 3 major components of SEA-BASINS: the model, the data/information system and the Partners. Regional scale components are covered by the project but each partner may choose to implement the model with data at any geographical scale of their choice.