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The report assesses the water balance of the Madidi National Park (PNM) in Bolivia, focusing on the Tuichi, Hondo, Madidi, and Quendeque basins. Using the WEAP model and data from 1980 to 2015, it finds that forests and wetlands have significantly higher soil moisture retention (66%) compared to agricultural lands and prairies (under 59%). The study highlights that converting forests to prairies or agriculture reduces soil moisture retention by 6.6% to 7.6%, with the greatest impact occurring in May. Annual average precipitation for the basin is 1778 mm, with a runoff coefficient of 0.32. The report recommends establishing new monitoring points within the park and prioritizing water quality analysis in the Tuichi basin due to mining risks.

The report examines how agricultural expansion and urban development in the Chiquitano dry forest region of Bolivia are altering water resources. It highlights the proliferation of 'atajados' (artificial ponds) and groundwater wells, noting that these decentralized systems are often unregulated and not captured in current hydrological models. The authors argue that these changes reduce deep infiltration and base flow, potentially threatening downstream ecosystems and water users, drawing a parallel to similar unregulated water diversions in Northern California.

The Cuando River Basin is a largely pristine transboundary system traversing Angola, Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana. It is characterized by a unique hydrological system where water from the Angolan highlands flows through extensive floodplains, occasionally connecting with the Okavango and Zambezi basins. The region is a critical wildlife corridor within the KAZA TFCA, supporting significant populations of elephants and lions, though it faces threats from poaching, uncontrolled fires, and climate change. Human populations are sparse and primarily rely on subsistence agriculture and the harvesting of natural products, with a growing trend toward urban migration due to the basin's exceptionally poor soil fertility.

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) is characterized by a mean annual discharge of 1,008 ± 294 m3/s at the Pine Falls Generating system, with peaks typically occurring in June and July. The river is a critical contributor to Lake Winnipeg, accounting for 49% of the mean monthly discharge of all rivers and streams entering the lake and providing the largest volume of water to it. Six run-of-river hydroelectric stations in the LWRB generate 583 MW of electrical capacity, representing approximately 10% of Manitoba's energy needs. Climate projections for the 2050s suggest a 6.9% increase in mean annual precipitation and a 3.3% increase in runoff, which may impact downstream nutrient loading. While water levels at most hydrometric stations remain relatively constant, Nutimik Lake shows seasonal trends.

The report evaluates the hydrological impact of climate change on the Lake Bunyonyi catchment within the Ruhezamyenda catchment in southwestern Uganda. Using the COSERO hydrological model and CMIP5 global climate model ensembles under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, the study projects increases in temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration for the mid-term (20412070) and far future (20712100). While runoff trends show significant uncertainty, there is a general trend toward increasing runoff, particularly in the far future under RCP8.5. The report identifies 'no-regrets' adaptation options focusing on governance, land management, and data collection to address risks such as soil erosion, landslides, and wetland degradation.

The report defines and maps 22 national Strategic Water Source Areas for surface water (SWSA-sw) and 37 for groundwater (SWSA-gw) in South Africa, including transboundary areas in Lesotho and Swaziland. It links these areas to major urban centres and agricultural sectors, highlighting that a small percentage of land provides a disproportionate amount of the region's water. The study identifies significant threats from invasive alien plants, mining, and land degradation, and recommends integrating SWSAs into national policy, legislation, and spatial planning to ensure long-term water security.

The report identifies strategic water source areas (SWSAs) across South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland, finding that just 8% of the land surface area generates 50% of the region's mean annual runoff. It assesses the land cover and protection status of these areas, noting that while 63% of SWSAs in South Africa remain in a natural condition, only 16% have formal legal protection. The document highlights threats from plantation forestry, cultivation, and mining, specifically noting that over 70% of SWSAs in Mpumalanga are under mining or prospecting licenses.

The document examines how dwindling fresh water resources and population growth in Southern Africa increase the risk of resource-based conflict. It advocates for redefining security to include 'soft' non-military threats, such as ecological degradation and poverty, and suggests that regional co-operation through SADC and free trade can mitigate water insecurity. The text provides a detailed synoptic view of major river basins in the region, noting a paradox where the most economically developed areas (the south) have the scarcest water, while the north possesses abundant but under-utilised resources.

The paper proposes a green-blue water approach to watershed management, emphasizing that managing soil moisture (green water) can increase water productivity and reduce downstream scarcity. It examines the hydrological impacts of land-use changes, such as deforestation and afforestation, and discusses the use of Payments for Environmental Services (PES) to incentivize sustainable upland management. Case studies from the Jordan and Tana River basins illustrate the challenges of transboundary cooperation and the potential for 'soft-path' interventions over large-scale infrastructure.