What is Ecohydrology?
Ecohydrology considers the functional interrelations between hydrology, aquatic ecosystems and their biota and human systems at the catchment scale in order to find solutions to issues surrounding water, people, and the environment. The ecohydrology concept grew out of the recognition that technical solutions alone are insufficient for the sustainable use of world water resources (Zalewski and Wagner 2000). Historically, the "mechanistic" and fragmented approaches for water resources management were based largely on hydrotechnical solutions, such as building sewage treatment plants or dams. These produced varied results ranging from excellent to causing even more severe problems. A more holistic approach was needed which could not only lead to environmental improvements and restoration but that it would also generate positive socioeconomic outcomes.
One of the fundamental concepts of ecohydrology is that the timing and availability of fresh water is intimately linked to ecosystem processes and subsequently the goods and services it provides to societies. Therefore, ecosystem processes can be used as tools to meet freshwater resource management goals, such as enhancing natural processes of nutrient retention to avoid harmful algal bloom. Simultaneously managing ecological and hydrological processes enhances the overall integrity and absorbing capacity of aquatic ecosystems in the face of human-mediated alterations. The main goal of ecohydrology is to understand these useful ecosystem processes and to communicate with water managers in a way that enables the incorporation of this knowledge into planned and existing programmes.
A document defining key terms and concepts related to flow-ecology can be viewed here. [
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Aims of UNESCO's Ecohydrology Programme
The UNESCO Ecohydrology Programme aims to advance the integration of social, ecological and hydrological knowledge into a transdisciplinary understanding (Max-Neef 2005, Cowling 2007). The need for transdisciplinarity "arises from developments in knowledge and culture that are characterized by complexity, hybridity, non-linearity, and heterogeneity" (Thompson Klein 1994). This means adopting approaches – and a philosophy – that are comparable across all our activities, thereby enabling participants within the Programme to draw broader conclusions and to produce outcomes and recommendations that are more generally relevant and applicable.
Ecohydrology Principles
- The hydrological cycle at the basin-scale is the template for quantifying impacts and opportunities relevant to the biological performance of the ecosystem.
- Freshwater ecosystem robustness can be enhanced through obtaining a better understanding of resistance and resilience of the social, hydrological and ecological systems, which have been established over time through environmental, social, cultural, political, economic and historical circumstances.
- Sustainability of ecosystem resistance/resilience is achieved by regulation of the ecological system by hydrological and social systems, and vice versa. Thus by influencing the social milieu to shape the water regime, fundamental characteristics of freshwaters can be substantially improved.