Sustaining freshwater systems in a changing world
Momentum is gathering to develop a “Freshwater Initiative” for the United States. As a result of the collective effort of an ad hoc committee of several scientists, professional societies and individuals, the initial steps are now being taken. In June 1992, the National Science Foundation, in cooperation with other federal agencies, provided funds to identify opportunities and frontiers in inland water research (limnology, aquatic ecology). The goal is to provide a predictive understanding of inland aquatic ecosystems and resources as related to global environmental change. The Steering Committee intends to focus on fundamental research issues in inland aquatic ecosystems (including humans as an integral part) to examine a continuum of spatial and temporal scales, and to define the boundaries of their discussions by the nature of the question or issue.
This process requires the active participation and support of the science community. The Committee envisions that it will take several meetings over a year and a half to develop a reasonable consensus on priority items and to prepare a final document for publication. During this period, the Committee will hold a workshop with invited members of the professional community, meet with colleagues at professional meetings to obtain additional input and inform others of activities and progress, and invite opinions from colleagues who are under-represented on the Committee or who are from emerging research areas.
The final document will identify and analyze key issues, highlight issues which provide unusual opportunities or research frontiers, discuss significant advances that can be achieved, and provide a discussion of how recommendations may be implemented.
The Steering Committee seeks compelling ideas on inland water research. All comments received will be acknowledged and thoughtfully considered. Please write to one of the co-chairs:
Robert J. Naiman
Center for Streamside Studies
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington 98195
John J. Magnuson
Center for Limnology
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin 53706