Ecohydrology

What is ecohydrology?

Ecohydrology is a new integrative science that involves finding solutions to issues surrounding water, people, and the environment. One of the fundamental concepts involved in ecohydrology is that the timing and availability of freshwater is intimately linked to ecosystem processes, and the goods and services provided by fresh waters to societies. This means that emphasis is placed on the hydrological cycle and its effects on ecological processes and human well-being.

Ecohydrology considers the functional interrelations between hydrology and aquatic ecosystems and their biota at the catchment (watershed) scale. It considers the use of ecosystem processes as tools to meet freshwater resource management goals, such as enhancing natural processes of nutrient retention to avoid harmful algal blooms. In effect, it proposes a 'dual regulation' of the system by simultaneously using ecological and hydrological processes to enhance the overall integrity of aquatic ecosystems in the face of human-mediated alterations.

Ecohydrology does not specify the method of incorporating ecosystem processes into management programs, as that is site-specific. As part of the strategy, it focuses on understanding useful ecosystem processes and communicating that understanding to water managers in a way that enables incorporation into planned and existing programmes.

Ecohydrology for the sustainable management of water resources

Ecohydrology provides a way for policy-makers, governments (at all levels, from the local to the national), and civil society to work towards sustainable water resources management by enhancing the capacity of ecosystems to absorb adverse impacts. Concretely, this means that ecohydrology aims to reverse the degradation of ecosystem services by regulating hydrological and ecological processes at the same time.

Global water quality has declined, and there has been significant loss of biodiversity worldwide, which severely impacts global ecosystems. Such trends provide ample evidence that conventional approaches to water resources management (based on the application of engineering techniques, sectoral interventions, and the elimination of such direct threats as point source pollution) are no longer sufficient to stem the tide of the water crisis. Ecohydrology aims to find solutions that, rather than focusing exclusively on technical issues, better respond to sustainable water resource policies and promote social development.

The science of ecohydrology is based on the fact that it is possible to increase opportunities for environmental restoration and promote sustainable water resource management by enhancing the capacity of ecosystems to absorb adverse impacts.

The three main principles of ecohydrology are:

regulation of hydrological processes has the potential to improve biological processes;
biological processes can be shaped as a tool to regulate, and a background to, hydrological processes; and
these two types of regulations can be integrated with hydro-technical infrastructure to achieve sustainable water and ecosystem services.

Ecohydrology has the potential to become broader and more effective by incorporating fundamental social and cultural considerations into the process.

:: Find out more about the key concepts of ecohydrology [PDF format - 72 KB]

UNESCO's Ecohydrology Programme

UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) have played an important role in defining the concept of ecohydrology and guiding its implementation since the late 1990s. In May 2006, the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) on UNESCO’s ecohydrology programme was reconstituted, and five task forces were officially launched.

These task forces concern the following areas.

coastal zones
assessing the impacts of global change on aquatic systems
social sciences
education and capacity-building
demonstration projects, or case studies.

More information on the SAC and each task force will be available shortly.

All five task forces work closely together, under the guidance of an elected leader, so as to enhance and monitor each other’s work, but each is responsible for developing its own work plan. Task force members, as well as members of the SAC, are key in disseminating UNESCO’s ecohydrological activities through the publication of scientific material, and participation in conferences, workshops, and meetings. Essential for the functioning of the five task forces is their interaction: steps have been taken to develop a fully integrated demonstration project site.

:: The Ecohydrology Programme supports The Brisbane Declaration: Environmental Flows are Essential for Freshwater Ecosystem Health and Human Well-Being (New!)
:: Read the SAC working meeting report from March 2007 [PDF format - 278 KB]
:: Read the SAC meeting report from September 2006 [PDF format - 223 KB]
:: Read the meeting report for the coastal zones, social sciences and education and capacity-building task forces from June 2006 [PDF format - 233 KB]
:: Read the demonstration projects task force meeting report from June 2006 [PDF format - 197 KB]
:: Read the meeting report for the task force on assessing impacts of global change on aquatic systems from October 2006 [PDF format - 173 KB]

Partnerships

European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ERCE)
The European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology is one of 12 water-related centres under the auspices of UNESCO.

GEMS/Water Programme
A UNEP programme which, with the collaboration of IHP, aims to develop and implement freshwater management programmes, in particular within the framework of ecohydrology.

DIVERSITAS freshwaterBiodiversity network
Cooperation between this international organization and UNESCO's ecohydrology programme focuses on biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Access this network's strategic plan
[PDF format - 3.07 MB]

IHP Hydrology for the Environment, Life, and Policy (HELP)
Joint initiative of UNESCO and WMO, aiming to create a new approach to integrated catchment management with an interest in ecohydrological methodologies. Three ecohydrology demonstration project sites are part of the HELP network.

For more information on UNESCO's Ecohydrology Programme, contact Lisa Hiwasaki (UNESCO-IHP) or Salvatore Arico (UNESCO-MAB).