| The scientific objectives
of the project are described in the following publication:
The Global Water System Project: Science Framework and Implementation
Activities. Framing Committee of the GWSP (2005). Earth
System Science Partnership. Available
online.
Water is essential to life on earth, plays a key
role in the development and functioning of society and is recognised
as a high priority resource for sustainable development. Over the
past few decades, environmental science has produced insights into
the linkages, interconnections and interdependencies in the global
water cycle. The various human and physical, biochemical, and biological
facets of the cycle make up the global water system (see diagram
below).
The global water system is being transformed by major syndromes
including climate change, erosion, pollution and salinisation. Major
human-induced perturbations to the global water system include the
following (numbers refer to figure):
- Hydrological cycle accelerated (1)
- Mountain snow/ice lost (2)
- Trees removal increases runoff, reduces transpiration, affects
water table and landscape salinity (3)
- Wetlands dried up or drained (4)
- Ground- and surface water used for irrigated agriculture
(5,6)
- Dams alter flow and reservoirs increase evaporation (7,8)
- Industrial water coolers release water vapour (9)
- Transfers between basins (10)
- Urban, mining and construction areas alter water flows and
quality (11)
- Coastal salt water intrudes inland (12)
- Impoundments reduce flows (13)
- Siltation, erosion and nutrient flows change coastlines and
affect water quality (14)
- Levees and locks modify flows and channels (15)
- Settlements alter floodplain landscapes (16)
- Grazing affects runoff and water quality (17)
- Industry causes acid rain (18)
- Coastal waters polluted and species lost (19)
It is clear that these changes to the global water system are
now globally significant and are being modified without adequate
understanding of how the system works.
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