Aquatic ecosystem research and Water in the Environment Heather MacKay 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

KSA2: Water-linked ecosystems In-stream Riparian Water table-dependent Rivers, estuaries, wetlands, groundwater © Water Research Commission 2003

Aim of KSA2: 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 Ecosystem processes Biophysical processes, form and function Ecosystem management and utilization Sustainable utilization; ecosystem water requirements; social and economic requirements of society 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 Environmental functioning within the hydrological cycle Regional and global-scale changes affecting water; biodiversity; vulnerability to change Environmental governance systems 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

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