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Abstract
Water scarcity in Central Asia was analyzed by using two water scarcity indices at the scale of sub-basin areas (SBAs): water stress index (consumption-to-availability ratio) and water shortage index (water availability per capita). These indices were calculated for a baseline scenario that included virtual water flows, and again for a scenario where international trade was eliminated, thus assessing the role of virtual water flows in water scarcity. Over 80% of the study area population suffers from water stress and approximately 50% from water shortage as well. Removing virtual water flows considerably decreased water scarcity for approximately half the population. Reducing the exports of water-intensive products could thus be an option, along with other more traditional measures, for alleviating water scarcity in Central Asia.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the members of the Water & Development Research Group, particularly Prof. Olli Varis, for their support and inspiration. The review comments of two referees and the excellent editing work of Kai Wegerich and Virpi Stucki are very much appreciated. The research has been carried out with the financial contribution of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and within the framework of Finnish development co-operation. Additional funding was provided by the Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry and the Academy of Finland (Project 133748). Matti Kummu also received funding from the postdoctoral funds of Aalto University.