Bringing together a raft of leading experts on water resources, this book explores the major issues facing this major subdivision of international studies. Employing a cross disciplinary perspective from economics, management, politics, law and international relations, water resources are examined from every angle.

While most books examine only the classical aspects of hydrology, this three-volume set covers multiple aspects of hydrology, and includes contributions from experts from more than 30 countries. It examines new approaches, addresses growing concerns about hydrological and ecological connectivity, and considers the worldwide impact of climate change

While most books examine only the classical aspects of hydrology, this three-volume set covers multiple aspects of hydrology, and includes contributions from experts from more than 30 countries. It examines new approaches, addresses growing concerns about hydrological and ecological connectivity, new quantitative and qualitative managing techniques

Using the latest mapping techniques, J.A.A. Jones, Chair of the IGU Commission for Water Sustainability, examines water availability, the impact of climate change and the problems created for water management worldwide as well as possible solutions. Water Sustainability: A Global Perspective is one of the first textbook to meld the physical and human aspects affecting the world's water resources. Part One outlines the challenges and investigates the human factors: population growth; urbanization and pollution; the commercialization of water, including globalization and privatization; and the impacts of war, terrorism and the credit crunch. Part Two examines the physical aspects: the restless water cycle, the impact of past and future climate change and the problems change and unreliability create for water management. Part Three discusses current and future solutions including improved efficiency and water treatment systems, desalination, weather modification and rainwater harvesting, and improved legal and administrative frameworks. Jones concludes by asking how far technical and financial innovations can overcome the limitations of climatic resources and examining the human and environmental costs involved in such developments. This book is the ideal text for any student of water sustainability whether approaching the subject from the point of view of international relations, geography or environmental management.

First Published in 2009. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Burgeoning population and climate change are among the most critical challenges facing the 21st century. Both have critical implications for groundwater resources, especially in many developing countries where resources are already under pressure. Due to low rainfall and high evaporation in parts of the Middle East and North Africa, groundwater is not being renewed, and groundwater laid down up to 10,000 years ago is literally being mined for irrigation, often very inefficiently. Over recent decades, groundwater levels have fallen dramatically in key grain-growing regions like the American Great Plains and the North China Plain. As the population grows and emerging economies like China and India demand more food, especially water intensive meat products, agricultural demand for water is set to increase. The rapid shift of population from the countryside to the cities is also adding to this pressure; most old wells in Beijing are now dry. Pollution from industry, agriculture and shanty towns is destroying many groundwater resources; some could take 50 years to clean up even with strict and immediate controls. This volume looks at the technical, socio-economic and political problems being faced, and at the developments in groundwater science and management that may help create a sustainable future for our planet.

Now in its second edition, Water Resources: An Integrated Approach provides students with a comprehensive overview of natural processes associated with water and the modifications of these processes by humans through climate change and land management, water-related health issues, engineering approaches to water and socio-economic processes of huge importance to water resources. The book contains chapters written by 24 specialist contributors, providing expert depth of coverage to topics. The text introduces the basic properties of water and its importance to society and the nature of the different regional imbalances between water resource availability and demand. It guides the reader through the changing water cycle impacted by climate and land management, water flows in river basins, surface water quality, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems, and covers the role of water in human health and associated hazards before turning to engineering solutions to water and wastewater treatment and reuse. The book deals with physical and social management strategies required for water resource planning, the economics of water and treatment of issues associated with conflict over water. The concept of virtual water is covered before the text concludes with a chapter considering the challenges of predicting future water issues in a rapidly changing world and where environmental systems can behave in a non-linear way. The need to work across disciplines to address challenges that are connected at both local and global scales is highlighted. Water Resources also includes global examples from both the developing and developed world. There are 58 case study boxes. Each chapter is supplemented with these case studies and with reflective questions, project ideas and further reading, as well as links to a glossary of terms. The book is richly illustrated throughout with over 160 full-colour diagrams and photographs. The text provides a novel interdisciplinary approach to water in a changing world, from an environmental change perspective and interrelated social, political and economic dimensions. It will be an indispensable guide to undergraduates studying water resources and management, geography of water, and water in the environment.

An international group of experts review guidelines for achieving sustainability in water resource systems.