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Opportunities for Research in the Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment at NSF

Opportunities for Research in the Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment at NSF. Pam Stephens Directorate of Geosciences, NSF Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment EPSCOR Workshop, Burlington, VT November 10, 2008. Outline. Why a focus on water research?

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Opportunities for Research in the Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment at NSF

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  1. Opportunities for Research in the Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment at NSF Pam Stephens Directorate of Geosciences, NSF Dynamics of Water Processes in the Environment EPSCOR Workshop, Burlington, VT November 10, 2008

  2. Outline • Why a focus on water research? • What are the key issues in water research from the NSF perspective? • What parts of NSF are involved? • Challenges in water research • Interagency opportunities • Examples of water opportunities in several divisions • Some advice for new researchers

  3. The Importance of Water • Meeting human and ecosystem needs for water is a major challenge for the 21st Century • Water is pervasive in our lives – agriculture, energy production, transportation, manufacturing, waste management, recreation • Global issues of food security, human health, environmental quality, and economic prosperity

  4. Current Support for Water • NSF supports about $140M in disciplinarystudies related to freshwater. • The science covers the physical, chemical, geological, biological and human processes in the natural and built environments • NSF also supports some cross-disciplinaryactivities, formally and informally – CNH, ETBC

  5. Challenges in Water Research • Changes in land use patterns, climate, and demographics and rising economic expectations • The Earth’s water system is complex – e.g., the fate of water is intimately tied to vegetation and the geomorphology of the surface and subsurface • “Natural” water systems scarcely exist - human-engineered water systems dominate • The dynamics of water spans many spatial and temporal scales • Water comes in three phases – and all are important • Research questions at the interfaces are key

  6. What might be the goal for expanded research efforts related to water? To increase our understanding of and our ability to predictthe dynamics of the Earth’s water system in order to sustain life and promote economic prosperity

  7. What’s needed? Studies that couple natural and human systems associated with water New interdisciplinary approaches Observational networks working at multiple spatial and temporal scales Data integration and access capabilities Predictive water cycle models that link physical, biological, social and other systems

  8. Interagency Efforts Subcommittee on Water Availability and Quality (SWAQ) 25 federal agencies with water research or water management responsibilities SWAQ advises the Executive Office of the President about Federal science and technology to support water availability and quality

  9. www.ostp.gov/nstc/html/_reports.html

  10. The SWAQ Challenges • Measuring and accounting for our water • Developing methods to expand fresh water supplies while using existing supplies more efficiently • Develop and improve predictive water management tools

  11. Elements of implementing the SWAQ strategic plan • Implement a national water census • Develop a new generation of water monitoring techniques • Develop and expand technologies for enhancing reliable water supply • Develop innovative water-use technologies and tools to enhance public acceptance of them • Develop collaborative tools and processes for U.S. water solutions • Improve understanding of the water-related ecosystem services and ecosystem needs for water • Improve hydrologic prediction models and their applications

  12. Interagency Efforts Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) 13 federal agencies with climate change research responsibilities CCSP overseen by the Subcommittee on Global Change Research Vision: A nation empowered by science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of change in the climate and related environmental systems.

  13. Interagency Efforts Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) Completing a set of assessments and preparing to do a new strategic plan Likely to be more driven by adaptation and mitigation considerations Basic research questions will be framed accordingly Water will be a major focus given prospects for sea level rise, more weather extremes, including droughts and floods, and changing precipitation characteristics http://www.climatescience.gov

  14. Current CCSP Goals [2003 Strategic Plan] Improve knowledge of climate and environment. Improve quantification of forces driving changes to climate. Reduce uncertainty in projections of future climate change. Understand sensitivity and adaptability of natural and manmade systems. Explore uses and limits of managing risks and opportunities. www.climatescience.gov/Library/stratplan2003/

  15. CCSP Interagency Working Groups • Atmospheric Composition • Climate Variability and Change • Modeling • Global Water Cycle • Land Use and Land Cover Change • Global Carbon Cycle • Ecosystems • Human Contributions and Responses • Observing and Monitoring the Climate System • Data Management and Information • Communications • International Research and Cooperation • Education

  16. Engineering Directorate Programs supporting water research • Environmental Sustainability • Systems level analysis, impact of climate change and land use on water resources • Environmental Engineering • New technologies and processes related to water • Environmental Implications of Emerging Technologies Program • Effects of nanomaterials on water quality and environmental health

  17. Division of Atmospheric Sciences • Several programs focused on various aspects of weather and climate research • Joint projects with the Division of Ocean Sciences • NCAR • Variety of community models available for use • Observing systems – ground-based and two research airborne platforms – for field studies • Collaborations with the community

  18. The NOAH Land Surface Modelhttp://www.ral.ucar.edu/research/land/technology/lsm.php Natural surface Coupled through ‘urban fraction’ Urban canopy model: Man-made surface

  19. The NCAR-based Community Land Model (CLM) • CLM is the land model for the Community Climate System Model • CLM can be coupled into CCSM or run offline across a range of resolutions and configurations • Model components: biogeophysics, soil hydrology, snow, river routing, biogeochemistry, dynamic vegetation, VOCs, and urban. Information and code freely available at: http://www.ccsm.ucar.edu/working_groups/Land/

  20. Considerations for newer researchers • NSF deals primarily with unsolicited proposals • Partnerships can strengthen proposals • Interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems • Keep proposal goals realistic • Broader impacts are important • Seek advice • Check the NSF website as a resource

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