1. Aquatic ecosystem research and Water in the Environment
Heather MacKay
May 2003

2. 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

3. Healthy, functioning aquatic ecosystems provide:
Water
For basic human needs
For development
Ecosystem services
For life support
For livelihoods
© Water Research Commission 2003

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Water comes packaged in the hydrological cycle…
© Water Research Commission 2003

8. 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

9. 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

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