The water resources available to humanity are limited and affected by climate change. In this course the physical and biophysical processes governing the hydrological cycle will be presented to help understand how the availability of water will change and how our management methods will need to be adapted.
The hydrological cycle is tightly linked the Earth’s energy budget and the thermodynamics of phase changes of water. Water vapour is transported by turbulent processes in the atmosphere, while at the surface when liquid if diffuses in a porous media. The biophysical processes of plants link the Earth’s water and carbon cycles and also give to hydrology that crucial role in our societies.
This course will provide the knowledge needed to evaluate which information is available on the current state of our water resources and understand the information provided by predictions produced by the climate and hydrological sciences. These are key elements needed to guide societies decision on water management and preservation of this key resource in a changing climate.
- Teaching coordinator: Brémaud Vincent
- Teaching coordinator: Polcher Jan