About this Research Topic

Background

The field of research focuses on the impacts of Global Change on water resource systems. Global Change encompasses environmental transformations induced by human activities, which contribute to Climate Change and necessitate significant adaptation efforts. This dual challenge involves understanding the impacts driven by Climate Change and addressing the environmental and social consequences of human adaptations, particularly in the management of water and water-dependent natural resources. Climate Change alters the hydrosphere by changing spatiotemporal patterns of atmospheric variables, leading to more frequent and intense extreme events. Combined with human adaptations to a growing population and increased demand for resources, this threatens the sustainability of ecosystems, especially water resources. Current studies forecast the impacts of Climate and Global Change on surface-water and groundwater resources, focusing on variables such as river discharge, evapotranspiration, aquifer recharge, and snow-water equivalent. However, there is a need for more comprehensive research that integrates data and models to better characterize system behavior and analyze future scenarios.

This research topic aims to compile novel studies that advance scientific knowledge on the impacts of Climate and Global Change on water resources. The main objectives include analyzing potential impacts on both surface water and groundwater, with a particular focus on vulnerable socioeconomic systems such as coastal areas, dryland regions, alpine regions, and wetlands. Additionally, the research seeks to understand the effects of Climate Change on extreme events like floods and droughts, and to improve decision-making processes for adaptation in the face of resource scarcity and increased hazards. The research will also explore the broader socioeconomic consequences of Climate and Global Change, including impacts on food provision, social conflicts, climatic migration, and the food-water-energy nexus.

To gather further insights into the impacts of Global Change on water resources systems, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Analysis of Climate and Global Change impacts on surface water and groundwater resources.
- Studies on vulnerable socioeconomic systems, including coastal areas, dryland regions, alpine regions, and wetlands.
- Assessments and projections of water quantity and quality.
- Impacts of Climate Change on extreme events such as floods and droughts.
- Advances in decision-making processes for adaptation to future conditions.
- Consequences of Climate and Global Change for food provision, social conflicts, climatic migrants, telecoupling, and the food-water-energy nexus.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Water Resources, Climate Change, Global Change, Impacts, Adaptation, Extreme Events, Floods, Droughts

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Frequently asked questions

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