The TDA/SAP approach presents a practical and straightforward framework that is applicable to all water ecosystems and is easily adaptable by project staff and those working on the development of the TDA and SAP. It allows projects to use a common framework and customize it based on the particular water ecosystem therefore giving ownership to the stakeholders involved in the process. This results in a non-prescriptive approach, based around a common framework.

However, there are some differences between different water ecosystems and alternative management actions that will need to be undertaken when carrying out the TDA and the SAP. The following Sections describe some of those.

1. River Basins

2. Lake Basins

3. Aquifers

4. Large Marine Ecosystems