Challenges and Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences

国家研究理事会？美国国家研究理事会水科学和技术委员会（WSTB）建议对水文科学当前和新出现的挑战和机遇进行研究，包括（1）审查水文学及其子领域的现状及其与相关地球科学和生物科学的耦合，以及（2）确定有希望的新机会，以促进水文科学，更好地了解可用于改善水资源的水循环，这项研究将由一个由大约12名志愿专家组成的特设跨学科委员会在核管制委员会工作人员的支持下进行。它将由WSTB在WSTB的协助和指导下组织和监督？水文科学常设委员会。委员会将举行大约五次会议，听取简报，收集信息，审议关键问题，并撰写报告。报告将载有关于水文科学未来方向的结论和建议。2009年6月1日至2011年5月31日的24个月期间，这项活动的总估计费用为535，000美元。知识价值：随着国家和世界日益解决全球气候变化、生态系统保护、地下水资源可持续性和新的水需求所带来的复杂问题，水文科学面临着新的挑战。社会需要更深入地了解人类压力如何改变水循环，影响人类和环境可用水的质量和数量。随着气候、土地使用和人口模式的变化，各机构需要准确的信息来做出关于经济发展中可允许的用水和废物管理的决定。这些主题不能单独处理;联系需要综合研究。这种整合需要尖端的研究模式来感知数据，将原始数据转换为信息，并综合研究结果。要有效应对这一新世界，就需要重新审视水文科学议程，并改进开展科学研究的方式。这项研究的主要重点将是水文科学的NSF计划，但鉴于水问题对国家的重要性，该报告还应服务于学术/教育界，其他水文和水资源计划机构，国会工作人员，OSTP，地球科学和水资源领域的专业团体和其他实体。这份报告应该是从事水文研究和科学进步的人的重要参考，就像水文科学的机会（1991年）为水文科学界服务了近二十年一样。

The National Research Council?s (NRC) Water Science and Technology Board (WSTB) proposes to undertake a study of the current and emerging challenges and opportunities in the hydrologic sciences, including (1) a review of the current status of the hydrology and its subfields and of their coupling with related geosciences and biosciences, and (2) the identification of promising new opportunities to advance hydrologic sciences for better understanding of the water cycle that can be used to improve water resources and environmental engineering and management.The study will be carried out by an ad hoc, interdisciplinary committee of approximately 12 volunteer experts, with support from NRC staff. It will be organized and overseen by the WSTB with assistance and guidance from the WSTB?s standing committee on Hydrologic Sciences. The committee will hold approximately five meetings to receive briefings, gather information, deliberate critical issues, and write its report. The report will contain conclusions and recommendations regarding future directions for the hydrologic sciences. The total estimated cost of this activity is $535,000 for the 24-month period, June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2011.Intellectual merit: Hydrologic science faces new challenges as the nation and world increasingly address complex issues presented by global climate change, ecosystem protection, groundwater resource sustainability, and new water demands. Society requires a deeper understanding of how human pressures are altering the water cycle and affecting the quality and quantity of water available to humans and the environment. Agencies need accurate information to make decisions on allowable water use and waste management in an evolving economy as climate, land use, and population patterns change. These topics cannot be addressed separately; connections require integrated studies. Such integration necessitates cutting-edge research modalities for sensing data, converting raw data into information, and synthesizing findings. An effective response to this new world requires revisiting the agenda for hydrologic science and revamping ways in which science is done.Broader impacts: The primary focus of this study will be the NSF program in hydrologic science but given the importance of water issues to the nation, the report should also serve the academic/educational community, other agencies with programs in hydrology and water resources, Congressional staff, the OSTP, professional societies, and other entities with missions related to Earth sciences and water resources. The report should be an important reference to those engaged in hydrologic research and advancement of the science, much the same as Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences (1991) has served the hydrologic science community for nearly two decades.