Envisioning the Agenda for Water Resources Research in the Twenty-First Century (2001) / Chapter Skim
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5. Organizing for Water Resources Research in the Twenty-First Century
5. Organizing for Water Resources Research in the Twenty-First Century
Pages 42-49
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From page 42... ...
Unfortunately, there is no commonly accepted structure for categorizing types of water research. Indeed, few of the agencies that conduct research on subjects in this report even indicate in their budgetary material activity identified as "water resources research." Usually, such work is buried under classifications such as earth science, environmental, or among regulatory, planning, or management-related programs.
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From page 43... ...
Both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research should help to avoid a repetition of this kind of mistake. A more viable mechanism is needed for setting and overseeing the water resources research agenda, based on the following principles: · An effective alliance with and active participation of water resources research stakeholders is required; ~ A systematic, strategic, and balanced agenda of both core and problem-driven research priorities should be set to meet short- and long-term needs; · The core research agenda should develop (1)
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From page 44... ...
Membership on the National Water Research Board should include stakeholders from the public and private sectors as well as academic representatives He people who best understand water problems In their areas. Board composition should reflect the recognition that water resources research transcends media boundaries and is closely linked to terrestrial and atmospheric processes.
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From page 45... ...
A National Water Research Board would provide a relatively simple, centralized system of setting research priorities. The appropriate implementation of those priorities could provide the necessary assurances and accountability for additional investments In water resources research.
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From page 46... ...
Effective implementation and administration of a strategic and proactive research agenda to be developed by the Research Board should provide We justification and accountability for augmented levels of investment in water resources research. Water resources problems are extremely complex, necessitating that their solutions cross-traditional disciplinary and societal boundaries.
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From page 47... ...
Studies should focus on legal and economic institutions, and researchers from other social science disciplines in water resources research should be involved. The specific research issues identified in these three areas are summarized in the list below, which represents a 20-year interdisciplinary research portfolio for the water resources field.
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From page 48... ...
48 ENVISIONING THE AGENDA FOR WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH · Develop new techniques for measuring water flows and water quality, including remote sensing and in situ techniques · Develop data collection and distribution in near real time for improved forecasting and water resources operations · hnprove forecasting the hydrologic cycle over a range of time scales and on a regional basis · Understand and predict the frequency and cause of severe weather (floods and droughts) · Understand recent increases in damage from floods and droughts · Understand global change and its hydrologic impacts Water Use ~ Understand determinants of water use in the agricultural, domestic, commercial, public, and industrial sectors · Understand relationship of agncultural water use to climate, crop type, and water application rates · Develop improved crops for more efficient water use and optimizes the economic return for the water used · Develop improved crop varieties for use in dryland agriculture · Understand water-related aspects of the sustainability of irrigated agncuiture · Understand behavior of aquatic ecosystems in a broad, systematic context, including their water requirements · Enhance and restore species diversity in aquatic ecosystems · Improve manipulation of water-quaTity parameters to maintain and enhance aquatic habitats · Understand ~nterrelahonship between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to support watershed management Wafer Institutions ~ Develop legal regimes that promote groundwater management and conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater ~ Understand issues related to the governance of water where it has common pool and public good attributes · Understand uncertainties attending to Native American water rights and other federal reserved rights · Improve equity in existing water management laws
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From page 49... ...
ORGANIZING FOR WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH 49 ~ Conduct comparative studies of water laws and institutions · Develop adaptive management ~ Develop new methods for estimating the value of nonmarketed attributes of water resources ~ Understand use of economic institutions to protect common pool and pure public good values related to water resources Develop efficient markets and marketlike arrangements for water ~ Understand role of pnces, pricing structures, and the price elasticity of water demand ~ Understand role of the private sector in achieving efficient provision of water and wastewater services ~ Understand key factors Hat affect water-related risk communication and decision processes · Understand user-organized institutions for water distribution, such as cooperatives, special districts, and mutual companies ~ Develop different processes for obtaining stakeholder input in forming water policies and plans Understand cultural and ethical factors associated with water use ~ Conduct ex post research to evaluate the strengths and wealmesses of past water policies and projects
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