Management and Information Systems a Tool for Environmental Studies

Management of river systems is a multistepped process, ranging from the characterisation of water quantity changes, through identification of waste loads and environmental boundary conditions (droughts, floods, etc.), to the evaluation of the water quality attributes. The measures to improve the ecological situation are often of concern to different groups with diverging interests. Therefore a tool is necessary, which is capable of elucidating the characteristics of the project area and illustrating the impacts of alternative restoration plans, their influences on the environment as well as related advantages and disadvantages to support the decision process seeking the best plan to be implemented. A geographical information system (GIS) was chosen as a host environment for a one-dimensional water quality model to form a decision support system (DSS) for water quality management of river systems. Within this paper we will first give an overview of the model approach and the structure of the GIS. Then we explain the linkage between the GIS and the simulation model and the advantages of using the DSS.