Environmental Systems & Global Change
1 total work
Water in a Changing World
by John Pitlick, James Wescoat, Jr., and Harihar Rajaram
Published 22 April 2008
Hydrology has evolved over the last 30-40 yr from a discipline focused primarily on techniques used in engineering design, to a discipline that seeks a broader scientific understanding of the processes that cycle water between the Earth s atmosphere and land surface. Over roughly the same time period, the world s population has doubled, and now almost all areas of the globe are experiencing shortages in either water supplies or the availability of clean water; these problems are particularly acute in developing countries. This book gives new meaning to the importance of hydrology and water resources , to explain in clear but sufficiently rigorous terms how the movement and storage of water in its various forms is relevant to the expanding needs of society (or ecosystems, as the case may be). The book is structured around the water balance (precipitation, evaporation, soil moisture storage and runoff); balancing technical details with a discussion of the broader relevance of emerging techniques and/or scientific findings.
This is achieved by the authors drawing on their many professional experiences, plus the knowledge gained from working with other researchers, both pure and applied.
This is achieved by the authors drawing on their many professional experiences, plus the knowledge gained from working with other researchers, both pure and applied.