Aquatic ecosystem research and Water in the Environment

Aquatic ecosystem research and Water in the Environment Heather Mac. Kay May 2003

Water resources as ecosystems Habitat – Physical (geomorphology and vegetation) – Hydraulic (flows) – Chemical (water quality) Biota – Instream and riparian fauna and flora Processes – nutrient cycling, oxygen replenishment, sequestration, etc. © Water Research Commission 2003

Healthy, functioning aquatic ecosystems provide: Water – For basic human needs – For development Ecosystem services – For life support – For livelihoods © Water Research Commission 2003

KSA 2: Water-linked ecosystems In-stream Riparian Water table-dependent Rivers, estuaries, wetlands, groundwater © Water Research Commission 2003

Aim of KSA 2: Water-linked ecosystems Enable good governance, to ensure utilization and sustainable management of water-linked ecosystems Understand ecological processes underlying delivery of goods and services Develop knowledge to manage, protect, utilize and rehabilitate aquatic ecosystems Transfer knowledge to end-users Build capacity in research and management © Water Research Commission 2003

Water-linked ecosystems: Thrusts 1. Ecosystem processes – Biophysical processes, form and function 2. Ecosystem management and utilization – Sustainable utilization; ecosystem water requirements; social and economic requirements of society 3. Ecosystem rehabilitation – Restoring process, form and function of degraded aquatic environment © Water Research Commission 2003

Water comes packaged in the hydrological cycle… © Water Research Commission 2003

XD C: Water and the Environment Addressing water in the whole environment (hydrological cycle) Understanding the processes that link components of the hydrological cycle – Atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic, subterranean, marine Developing governance and management systems for water in the environment that match these processes © Water Research Commission 2003

Water and the Environment: Thrusts 1. Environmental functioning within the hydrological cycle – 2. Environmental governance systems – 3. Regional and global-scale changes affecting water; biodiversity; vulnerability to change Water-related governance that enables us to anticipate and respond to changes in the environment Integrative activities – – High-level integrative knowledge and understanding New and emerging issues Synthesis of WRC research; integration with national and international research initiatives; stimulation of new research on interface issues Communication, networking, capacity building © Water Research Commission 2003

Matching the governance of water to the environment in which water is packaged © Water Research Commission 2003