Key research themes
1. How can integrated approaches enhance water resources planning, monitoring, and management under climate change?
This theme focuses on the development and application of integrated frameworks combining modeling, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and adaptive management to address complex water resource challenges exacerbated by climate change. It matters because river basins face multifaceted stresses including population growth, increased water demands, pollution, and climate-induced variability, necessitating holistic strategies that are context-specific and scalable.
2. What are effective methods for assessing and monitoring water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in natural and artificial water bodies?
This theme examines advanced methodologies to evaluate aquatic ecosystem health focusing on physical, chemical, and biological water quality indicators. Assessing reservoir and waterbody conditions involve integrating physicochemical analyses, biological indices, molecular techniques, and statistical methods to detect pollution, eutrophication, ecological degradation, and support management decisions. This is crucial as water quality directly affects biodiversity, human health, and sustainability.
3. What are the multifaceted socio-political, cultural, and environmental considerations affecting water access, equity, and sustainability?
This theme explores how socio-cultural, gender, political, and environmental factors intersect to influence water management, access, and justice. It considers how water is entwined with spirituality, human rights, gender disparities, and conflicts, and reflects on environmental degradation in fragile regions. Understanding these dimensions is essential for designing equitable water policies, community engagement strategies, and resolving conflicts within vulnerable and diverse populations.