Balancing Water for Humans and Nature: The New Approach in Ecohydrology

ISBN-13: 9781853839276 / Angielski / Miękka / 2004 / 247 str.

Malin Falkenmark; Johan Rockstrom; Hubert Savenije

Opis

Balancing Water for Humans and Nature, authored by two of the world's leading experts on water management, examines water flows - the 'blood stream' of both nature and society - in terms of the crucial links, balances, conflicts and trade-offs between human and environmental needs. The authors argue that a sustainable future depends fundamentally on our ability to manage these trade-offs and encourage long-term resilience. They advocate an ecohydrological approach to land/water/environmental problems and advance a strong, reasoned argument for viewing precipitation as the gross fresh water resource, ultimately responsible for sustaining all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem services. This book makes the most coherent and holistic argument to date for a new ecological approach to understanding and managing water resources for the benefit of all. Basing their analysis on per capita needs for an acceptable nutritional diet, the authors analyse predictions of the amounts of water needed for global food production by 2050 and identify potential sources. Drawing on small-scale experiences in Africa and Asia, they also cover the vulnerability of the semi-arid tropics through a simplified model of green and blue water scarcity components.

Spis treści

Part I: Water Functions in the Life-support System * Water: The Bloodstream of the Biosphere * Water Availability: Expanding the Perspective * Human Water Requirements * Incorporating Water for Ecosystem 'Services' * Regional Differences * Part II: Closing Upon the Vulnerable Savanna Zone * Vulnerability of the Savanna Zone * Water Perspectives on Feeding Humanity * Closing the Yield Gap on the Savannna: The Real World Perspective * Part III: Socio-ecohydrological Balancing * Finding the Balance between Water for Humans and for Nature * Towards Hydrosolidarity through Integrated Land/Water/Ecosystem Management * Notes * References * Index