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Cover image of Water Resources
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Water Resources

Science and Society

George M. Hornberger and Debra Perrone

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A scientifically rigorous text grounded in socioeconomic reality that examines both physical hydrology and contemporary water usage issues.

The fair allocation and wise use of fresh water presents significant challenges across the world. To avoid unresolvable crises in the future, judiciously managing water resources in the twenty-first century is fundamentally important. Integrating the underlying science of hydrology with real-world usage scenarios, Water Resources offers a nuanced, modern treatment of contemporary water resource management issues.

In this ground-breaking new text, renowned...

A scientifically rigorous text grounded in socioeconomic reality that examines both physical hydrology and contemporary water usage issues.

The fair allocation and wise use of fresh water presents significant challenges across the world. To avoid unresolvable crises in the future, judiciously managing water resources in the twenty-first century is fundamentally important. Integrating the underlying science of hydrology with real-world usage scenarios, Water Resources offers a nuanced, modern treatment of contemporary water resource management issues.

In this ground-breaking new text, renowned environmental scientist and educator George M. Hornberger and award-winning environmental engineer Debra Perrone examine the role of water resources in natural, social, and human-built systems, helping students understand and evaluate the complex tradeoffs required to achieve sustainable water management. Providing a much-needed educational tool that looks at freshwater resources within the context of the crucial water-energy-food nexus, the text

• includes a primer on the elements of physical hydrology necessary to understand resource availability;
• covers rivers, lakes, groundwater, and soil water;
• relates water to agriculture, energy, urbanization, and the environment;
• highlights connections between water quantity and quality;
• explains the economic and legal constraints around water resources;
• considers the impacts of climate change and population growth; and
• proposes paths forward for the sustainable use of water.

Teaching basic methods used to make informed water management decisions, the book includes illustrative quantitative calculations, qualitative think-pieces, and case studies. An appendix provides a review of units, dimensions, and conversions useful for addressing each chapter's example problems. Online answer keys are also available.

Positioned to become the foremost text on water resource issues, this companion to Hornberger's widely regarded Elements of Physical Hydrology reveals the enormity of the water crisis facing the planet while offering realistic hope.

Reviews

Reviews

This book is significant for its even-handed treatment of a wide range of issues, applications, disciplines, and policy initiatives. The most integrated examination of water resources that I have seen.

An advanced undergraduate textbook focused on water resources as opposed to hydrology, this book would also be suitable for water resources professionals and interested laypersons. This is an original and integrative volume, and Hornberger and Perrone make a trenchant writing team.

Likely to be an important book. The authors are both thought leaders in water-energy subject matter.

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
7
x
10
Pages
280
ISBN
9781421432953
Illustration Description
84 duotones
Table of Contents

Preface

Part I. Water Availability: A Physical Science Primer
1. The Hydrological Cycle
2. Surface Water Resources
3. Groundwater Resources
4. Soil Water Resources

Part II. Demand-Side Sectors
5

Preface

Part I. Water Availability: A Physical Science Primer
1. The Hydrological Cycle
2. Surface Water Resources
3. Groundwater Resources
4. Soil Water Resources

Part II. Demand-Side Sectors
5. Agricultural Water Use
6. Energy Water Use
7. Domestic Water Use
8. Environmental Water Use

Part III. Anthropogenic Drivers of Change
9. Population
10. Climate Change
11. Water Law
12. Water Quality

Part IV. Water Resources Supply and Demand in Context
13. Opportunities for Water

Management
Appendix: Units, Dimensions, and Conversions
Glossary
Index

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

George M. Hornberger, Ph.D.

George M. Hornberger is director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment and Distinguished University Professor at Vanderbilt University.
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