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Social science in a water observing system
Author(s) -
Braden John B.,
Brown Daniel G.,
Dozier Jeff,
Gober Patricia,
Hughes Sara M.,
Maidment David R.,
Schneider Sandra L.,
Schultz P. Wesley,
Shortle James S.,
Swallow Stephen K.,
Werner Carol M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2009wr008216
Subject(s) - grand challenges , natural resource , water resources , argument (complex analysis) , natural (archaeology) , natural science , resource (disambiguation) , scale (ratio) , research program , climate science , environmental resource management , engineering ethics , environmental planning , climate change , environmental science , engineering , computer science , political science , ecology , geography , philosophy , law , computer network , chemistry , archaeology , biology , biochemistry , epistemology , physics , cartography , astronomy , operating system
We set forth an argument for the integration of social science research with natural science and engineering research in major research infrastructure investments addressing water science. A program of integrated observation of water resources offers great opportunities to address several environmental “grand challenges” identified by the National Research Council, including climate variability, institutions and resource use, and land use dynamics, and their importance for hydrologic forecasting. We argue that such a program has the potential to advance both water science and the contributing disciplines. However, to realize this potential, it is essential to recognize that social science requires critical infrastructure funding on the scale of advanced research facilities in the natural sciences and engineering.