Adaptation of water resources systems to changing society and environment: a statement by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

Serena Ceola*, Alberto Montanari, Tobias Krueger, Fiona Dyer, Heidi Kreibich, Ida Westerberg, Gemma Carr, Christophe Cudennec, Amin Elshorbagy, H.H.G. Savenije, Pieter Van Der Zaag, Dan Rosbjerg, Hafzullah Aksoy, Francesco Viola, Guido Petrucci, Kit MacLeod, Barry Croke, Daniele Ganora, Leon Hermans, Maria J. PoloZongxue Xu, Marco Borga, Jorg Helmschrot, Elena Toth, Roberto Ranzi, Attilio Castellarin, Anthony Hurford, Mitija Brilly, Alberto Viglione, Günter Blöschl, Murugesu Sivapalan, Alessio Domeneghetti, Alberto Marinelli, Giuliano Di Baldassarre

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

59 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We explore how to address the challenges of adaptation of water resources systems under changing conditions by supporting flexible, resilient and low-regret solutions, coupled with on-going monitoring and evaluation. This will require improved understanding of the linkages between biophysical and social aspects in order to better anticipate the possible future co-evolution of water systems and society. We also present a call to enhance the dialogue and foster the actions of governments, the international scientific community, research funding agencies and additional stakeholders in order to develop effective solutions to support water resources systems adaptation. Finally, we call the scientific community to a renewed and unified effort to deliver an innovative message to stakeholders. Water science is essential to resolve the water crisis, but the effectiveness of solutions depends, inter alia, on the capability of scientists to deliver a new, coherent and technical vision for the future development of water systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2803-2817
Number of pages15
JournalHydrological Sciences Journal
Volume61
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • bottom-up approach
  • catchment
  • resilient design
  • socio-hydrology
  • water resources systems

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