Natural Resource Management the Management

Natural Resource Management The management of water is crucial to any location on earth. However, different locations need this implemented in different ways depending on the terrain and environmental conditions of each unique area around the globe. Such is the case with both Australia and Canada.

Each country is incredibly different in terms of natural landscape, and so have unique strategies for managing water; yet, both are rich in natural wonders, leaving them to a path of conservation in their water management strategies in order to help protect the delicate ecosystems that reside within their territories. Thus, utilizing ground water as a primary source for industrial and commercial use is a prime strategy in both nation's water management program in order to help protect vulnerable surface water environments that house a plethora of natural wonders.

Australia is a vast land, much different that the forested mountains of Canada. With many areas having little rainfall, and very little to no snow to ensure an annual replenishing of lakes and streams, Australia has more difficulties acquiring and allocating water resources. Yet, like Canada, Australia's water management strategy is all about conservation and management of commercial usage to sustain the natural ecosystems on the continent.

According to the Government of South Australia, the water systems of the region "must be managed to ensure the resources are sustainable for both current and future use," (Government of South Australia 2009). In 2004, the National Water Initiative (NWI) was enacted in Australia, which sets out guidelines and best practices for water management in the region for the next century (WWF-Australia 2010).

According to research the "NWI aims to protect and restore fresh water ecosystems, promote effective water conservation and restore sustainable water flows to catchments such as the Murray Darling Basin," (WWF-Australia 2010). Thus, Australia's water management aims to protect delicate surface water sources, and focus more on allocating ground water to industrial and commercial needs (Government of South Australia 2009).

Billions of dollars are being spent, not only on ground water allocation, but of protection of surface water areas that are habitats for unique animal species, not found anywhere else in the world. Australia's water management strategy is "committed to saving key river systems and a blueprint for better future management of water for consumer and industry practices," (WWF-Australia 2010). The unique species that reside in Australia must be protected, and that is the main strategy of the nation's water resource management.

The government achieves this goal "By accurately measuring, managing, and monitoring water delivery and use, it is believed that hundreds, if not thousands, of gigaliters of water can be save across the country," (WWF-Australia 2010). Efforts in management aim to prescribe specific water sources, restrict water usage, develop and implement water allocation plans, and continually review the condition of the country's natural water resources in an effort to adjust water management strategies to the delicate condition of the natural ecosystem in the area (Government of South Australia 2009).

Canada, too, is filled with much natural resources, which prove vulnerable to modern urbanization and the increasing demand for water. One thing that Canada does have as an advantage over Australia, is a larger source of replenish able water supply which comes annually with the melting of the winter snows in the great mountain ranges of the region. Therefore, Canada does have some sense of security that nature will help in terms of a conservation strategy.

However, the nation does also want to ensure greater protection of its natural resources, which depend highly on water, especially in an age where the cities are growing across the region. In order to protect these valuable natural resources, Canada too, relies heavily on groundwater for its water allocation. According to research, around 30% of Canadians get their drinking water from groundwater resources, instead of surface water resources that endanger the natural environment of the region ().

This water is acquired through government owned and privately held wells that then produce water which is transported into urban areas. Research states that "a recent statistical compilation of profiles of groundwater use by province, it is the industrial sectors -- primarily manufacturing, mining, thermal power generation and aquaculture -- that are the biggest consumers. Next come the municipal and agricultural sectors," (Cote 2006). By allocating groundwater to industry, Canada is ensuring the growth of its business capitol, while also sustaining a protected environment for its natural resources.