Water Topic 3

Science for water management

Water Topic 3 (WA-3) provides better tools, methodologies, models, techniques, guidance and scenario analysis to enable improved adaptation, mitigation and restoration.

The science of Topic WA-3 is delivered through four inter-related areas of research:

  • WA-3.1 Development of next-generation methods for river flow frequency estimation and forecasting
  • WA-3.2 Assessment of available water resources in a changing world based on long-term scenarios of climate, land use and population growth
  • WA-3.3 Better representation of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in Earth-system models
  • WA-3.4 Development of novel and improved methods to enable the sustainable management of freshwaters and wetlands

These Topics concentrate on:

1. Developing methodologies for flood and river flow forecasting and prediction over longer time scales (seasonal to decadal).

2. Producing new assessments of regional and global water resources under scenarios of changing climate and demand.

3. Improving the representation of the water cycle within Earth system and biogeochemical models.

4. Developing criteria for assessing the sustainability of freshwater ecosystems, including identifying thresholds for collapse and recovery.

These activities also inform and are informed by their counterparts in the Biogeochemistry and Biodiversity Programmes and the Environmental Information Data Centre.

External support

Topic WA-3 undertakes a broad range of research which is supported by a wide range of stakeholders. These include members of the public who submit observations and undertake species recording, as well as a range of agencies and governmental bodies which provide financial support, such as Natural England, the Environment Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the National Biodiversity Network and the European Union.

Areas of research

Areas of research relevant to Topic WA-3 include:

  • Prediction and modelling of hydrological extremes
  • Global hydrological modelling
  • Integrated water resource management
  • Community catchment management
  • Sustainable water use in the Mediterranean
  • Predicting environmental impacts on phytoplankton communities
  • Techniques for enhancing lake recovery from eutrophication

Collaborative research projects

Topic WA-3 participates in many collaborative projects. Examples include:

National Capability activity

National Capability activity within Topic WA-3 includes:

  • Method development (e.g. Flood Estimation Handbook, LOW-FLOWS)
  • Integrated Modelling capability (e.g. flood forecasting, continuous simulation, water quality, aquifer recharge and chemical risk)
  • Knowledge transfer (training for industry, provision of water industry tools in UK and internationally)