A geo-spatial database about the eco-environment and its key issues in South Asia

Abstract

The South Asia has high variability in geographical features, climate, and landscapes. With the rapid economic development and population growth, the increased pressure on natural resources, land degradation, water crisis, and climate change become the common concerns for the countries in the region. To get a deep and general idea about the land and water natural resources and environment in South Asia, a knowledge database was constructed based on the climatic condition, land use/cover, water resources, water disasters, and geohazards. The results presented a scientific insight regarding the spatio-temporal changing pattern of the eco-environmental components in this region. Risk assessments were performed for the floods, droughts, and geohazards which occurred with a high frequency. In general, the big knowledge database established in this study would be helpful to aid the development of future policies and programs (like the Belt and Road Initiative) for environmental issues adaptation in the region, including initiatives for regional cooperation and capacity building in natural resources and environment management.

Keywords

• South Asia
• eco-environment
• water resource
• geohazard
• climate change
• assessment