CAREER: Using hydroclimatic thresholds and changing baselines to develop decision tools for adaptive water use policy

1055934（Jain）本CAREER提案的研究目标是提供一个全面的决策工具，以分析水文变化，量化对人类和生态系统的影响，并测试和评估政策在气候变化和不确定预测面前的充分性。该项目将使用缩小尺度的GCM输出来驱动一个能够预测政策相关指标的地表/流域模型，如流量持续时间曲线和水文变化指标，然后将用于确定适应性用水政策，这将有助于在当前和未来的气候条件下实现目标。 将应用的研究方法，与缅因州环境保护部和广泛的与水有关的利益相关者团体合作，采用系统建模方法，辅之以研究利益相关者协作。 该奖项的教育部分补充了研究活动，寻求弥补目前环境科学与工程课程中与水基础设施可持续性有关的差距。研究产生的数据、模型、方法和案例研究将通过以下方式与整个K-20教育系统和非正规教育环境中的教学和推广活动相结合：（a）为佩诺布斯科特河流域开发基于可编程媒体的流域模型？将K-12科学，地理和文化融入积极的讲故事和分享，（B）与缅因州大学的合作？该中心的Wabanaki发展流域可持续性教育与学生和教师从Penobscot和Passamaquoddy印度学校的持续参与，以及（c）创建和修订本科和研究生课程，重点是跨学科的流域可持续性的主题。 综合研究和教育计划是朝着长期承诺发展以可持续性原则为指导的创新环境解决方案的能力迈出的第一步。长期惠益不仅包括确定和制定有效的环境解决方案所需的科学和技术知识，而且还包括培养有能力在不断变化的气候中应对挑战和应对环境可持续性的公民。 确定灵活性、意外的可能性和确定行动方针（政策的灵活性）需要研究机构利益相关者集体的深入参与。缅因州的参与？帕萨马科迪和佩诺布斯科特的中学生为这个传统上代表性不足的群体提供了一个独特的机会，让他们渴望更高水平的学习和教育。与大学的合作？Wabanaki中心将有助于确保长期参与和吸收有关全州及其他地区STEM外展有效模式的新知识。

1055934 (Jain) The research objective of this CAREER proposal is to deliver a comprehensive decision tool to analyze hydrologic changes and quantify impacts on humans and ecosystems and test and assess the adequacy of policy in the face of changing climate and uncertain forecasts. The project would use downscaled GCM output to drive a land surface/watershed model capable of predicting policy relevant metrics such as flow duration curves and indicators of hydrologic alteration which would then be used to determine adaptive water use policy that would help to meet targets under current and future climate conditions. The research methodology to be applied, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and a broad range of water-related stakeholder groups, uses a systems modeling approach complemented by a research-stakeholder collaborative. This award's educational component complements the research activities, seeking to redress perceived gaps in the present Environmental Science and Engineering curriculum relative to sustainability of water infrastructure. The data, models, methodologies, and case studies emanating from research will be integrated with teaching and outreach activities throughout the K-20 educational system and in informal education settings by: (a) development of programmable media-based watershed models for the Penobscot River Watershed?integrating K-12 science, geography and culture into active storytelling and sharing, (b) collaborative work with University of Maine?s Wabanaki Center to develop a sustained engagement on watershed sustainability education with students and teachers from the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy Indian schools, and (c) creating and revising undergraduate and graduate level courses focusing on interdisciplinary watershed sustainability topics. The integrated research and educational plan represents a first step towards a long-term commitment to develop the capacity for innovative environmental solutions guided by principles of sustainability. Long-term benefits include not only the scientific and technical knowledge necessary to identify and develop effective environmental solutions but also generation of citizens equipped to grasp the challenges and respond to the imperative of environmental sustainability in a changing climate. Ascertaining flexibility, probability of surprises, and determining courses of action (flexibility in policy) demand deep engagement of the researcher-agency-stakeholder collective. Participation of Maine?s Passamaquoddy and Penobscot middle-school students extends a unique opportunity to this traditionally underrepresented group to aspire to higher levels of learning and education. The partnership with the University?s Wabanaki Center will help ensure long-term engagement and assimilation of new knowledge regarding effective models of STEM outreach throughout the state and beyond.