干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

There exists a strong link between water security and food security. Both are affected by the water-soil-climate nexus, social and political conflicts, growing energy demand with emphasis on biofuels and the virtual water trade. Sustainable development necessitates research on site-specific and generic researchable issues on water resources and their management. In the context of food security, sustainable intensification of rainfed and irrigated croplands needs technology for an efficient conversion of blue water (rivers, lakes, ground water, and precipitation) into green water enhancing water use efficiency (WUE) and decreasing losses. The problem of excessive groundwater depletion (Ogallala in the United States, Indo-Gangetic Plains, North China Plains) must be addressed. Improving desert farming is a high priority. Water quality, affected by agriculture and industrial runoff, can cause algal bloom and anoxia in surface water. The impact of soil degradation on water quantity needs site-specific research. Water governance and policy issues are specifically relevant in water-scarce regions and trans-boundary watersheds. Growing urbanization and industrial use requires costeffective measures for safe use of gray water. The need for research focus on adaptation and mitigation of climate change, and managing the risks of extreme events cannot be overemphasized. Similar to soils, the finite world water resources must never be taken for granted.