1. This study aimed to develop an integrated analytical framework to identify candidate sites for surface water protection that is applicable at broad scales and in data scarce regions, using Zambia as a case study.
2. In the Zambian Water Resources Management Act of 2011, Water Resource Protection Areas are defined as areas where special measures are necessary for the protection of a catchment, sub-catchment, aquifer, or geographical area. Three specific selection criteria are listed for the definition of Water Resource Protection Areas: (i) areas of high importance in providing water to users in a catchment; (ii) aquatic areas of high ecological importance; and (iii) areas that are particularly sensitive to human impact.
3. In this project, each sub-catchment and river reach of Zambia was characterized for their importance regarding these three criteria. ‘Water provisioning’ was assessed by analysing patterns of runoff generation and human water use; ‘aquatic ecological importance’ was determined by conducting a freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem assessment using a systematic conservation planning approach; and ‘sensitive areas’ were identified by quantifying erosion potential and sediment transport. The work was supported by an assessment of free-flowing rivers in Zambia, i.e., those rivers where aquatic ecosystem functions and services are largely unaffected by changes to fluvial connectivity through dams and other infrastructure.
4. Highly ranked sub-catchments were found in the Liuwa, Barotse, and Bangweulu floodplains and wetlands, and in the headwater regions of the upper Zambezi, Kafue, Chambeshi/Luapula, and Tanganyika catchments. The Luangwa was identified as the highest ranked candidate river for protection within Zambia.
5. The resulting maps, data, and methods are intended to support national-scale efforts to prioritize areas for surface water protection, identify catchments and rivers with high conservation value, optimize decision making for infrastructure development, and inform concerted strategies to maintain and restore freshwater ecosystem services in Zambia.

中文翻译：

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确定数据稀缺地区地表水保护的优先领域：赞比亚的综合空间分析

1. 本研究旨在开发一个综合分析框架，以确定适用于广泛规模和数据稀缺地区的地表水保护候选地点，以赞比亚为案例研究。
2. 在 2011 年赞比亚水资源管理法案中，水资源保护区被定义为需要采取特殊措施来保护集水区、子集水区、含水层或地理区域的区域。水资源保护区的定义列出了三个具体的选择标准： (i) 在向流域内的用户供水方面具有高度重要性的区域；(ii) 具有高度生态重要性的水域；(iii) 对人类影响特别敏感的领域。
3. 在该项目中，赞比亚的每个子流域和河段都因其在这三个标准方面的重要性而具有特色。“供水”是通过分析径流产生和人类用水的模式来评估的；“水生生态重要性”是通过使用系统的保护规划方法进行淡水生物多样性和生态系统评估来确定的；和“敏感区域”是通过量化侵蚀潜力和沉积物迁移来确定的。这项工作得到了赞比亚自由流动河流评估的支持，这些河流的水生生态系统功能和服务在很大程度上不受通过大坝和其他基础设施的河流连通性变化的影响。
4. 在柳瓦、巴罗策和班韦乌卢洪泛区和湿地，以及赞比西河上游、卡富埃、尚贝希/卢阿普拉和坦噶尼喀流域的上游地区发现了排名靠前的子流域。卢安瓜河被确定为赞比亚境内保护等级最高的候选河流。
5. 由此产生的地图、数据和方法旨在支持全国范围的努力，优先考虑地表水保护区域，确定具有高保护价值的集水区和河流，优化基础设施开发决策，并为维护和恢复淡水生态系统的协调战略提供信息赞比亚的服务。