Review of USGCRP Plan for a New Science Initiative on the Global Water Cycle (2002) / Chapter Skim
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3 Responsiveness of the Water Cycle Science Plan to the USGCRP Charge
3 Responsiveness of the Water Cycle Science Plan to the USGCRP Charge
Pages 7-18
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From page 7... ...
and instructing federal research agencies to cooperate in developing and coordinating a "comprehensive and integrated United States research program." This historical perspective is a useful backdrop to place the water cycle science plan in perspective. The references above (NRC, 1974, and Waggoner, 1990)
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From page 8... ...
In addition, three crosscutting, "first-priority" pillar initiatives are provided as guidelines "to know where to begin." Our committee believes that this is a successful framework for structuring a coordinated water cycle science plan. We grappled with the very broad charge to the WCSG in regard to "a research strategy and science plan" that covered virtually all aspects and components of the water cycle, research related to the application of water cycle science in water management, and the role of water in the nutrient cycle.
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From page 9... ...
As examples, the water cycle science plan is heavily focused on the terrestrial components of the water cycle and on related biogeochemical aspects. An important aspect of the global water cycle is to understand the air-sea water and energy exchange, and how these interactions govern water and energy cycles on intraseasonal to centennial time scales and on regional and global scales.
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From page 10... ...
. It appears that the water cycle science plan takes for granted that this basic, foundational work either has been done or results will be available where needed to support the science plan.
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From page 11... ...
Quantitative understanding of atmospheric, terrestrial, and oceanic interactions that govern water and energy cycles on intraseasonal to centennial time scales and on regional and global scales; this including, inter alla, the roles of water vapor, clouds, and precipitation processes; biogeochemical processes; terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem influences; and the roles of surface and subsurface waters within the overall hydrologic cycle. The water cycle science plan addresses this through Science Question i, which is focused on understanding water cycle variability; Science Question 2, which focuses on how the water cycle is linked to the carbon and nitrogen cycles; and Pillar Initiative I, which is to determine whether the water cycle is intensifying.
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From page 12... ...
· One of the proposed actions in the water cycle science plan is the interdisciplinary initiative to design and implement observing and estimation strategies for quantifying evaporation and recharge. This highpriority issue can only be solved with interagency coordination.
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From page 13... ...
Specifically, the water cycle science plan might have called for a stronger effort in addressing the transport, storage, and transformations of sediment and chemical nutrients. For much of the United States, these constituents are the major causes of aquatic system degradation relevant to Goal 2 under Science Question 3.
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From page 14... ...
Although the water cycle science plan recognizes the importance of these decision processes, more follow-on coordination is needed for the science initiative to help water management agencies develop effective implementation activities. For example, there is a plan to "assist water resources managers in using ensemble forecasts in their operation of water resource systems." But this presumes that all that is required is straightforward technology transfer.
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From page 15... ...
In fact, there is the possibility that even given the knowledge argued for in the water cycle science plan, benefits to water resource management may be elusive because of an inability to incorporate that knowledge into management procedures. Thus, there is a need to identify an implementation activity that evaluates how new knowledge on the water cycle scientific goals (e.g., predicting climate variability)
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From page 16... ...
This information would assist the USGCRP and cooperating agencies in defining the necessary observation requirements and in identifying those aspects of their science questions that can and cannot be answered with current and planned observational systems. In addition, the water cycle science plan must reinforce the need for in situ observational networks, which have degraded significantly over the last 20 years.
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From page 17... ...
As part of this coordination activity, we believe that fostering cooperation with non-USGCRP agencies, particularly water management agencies, is critical to fulfilling the potential for improved water resource management called for in the water cycle science plan. The water cycle science plan, through its recognition of linkages between water and carbon, has made a very effective case that USGCRP water cycle initiatives should interface with those stemming from the Carbon Cycle Science Plan.
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From page 18... ...
In so doing, science can achieve practical advances as well as foster international understanding. Contributing to the understanding of water resources and of their links to climate variability seems a nearly ideal way for the United States to step forward to make a scientific contribution that is global not only in its domain of study but also in its domain of application.
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