Aspects of the application of decision and information support tools in an integrated water resources management practice

The paper presents some problems with the use of modelling, decision, andinformation support tools (MDISTs), for the implementation of integrated approaches towater resources management. The problems arise because in many cases currentmonitoring practices do not provide sufficient amount of reliable data for model calibrationand verification. The paper emphasises the need for a system analysis approach at all levelsof magnitude in a water system - considering all elements, subsystems and theirinteractions – and the integration of the MDISTs with the corresponding monitoringpractices, regulatory instruments and management activities in a closed-loop cycle. Finally,we discuss how MDISTs could be used in the particular case of developing countries.