Presentation
The Role of the "Socio" in Socio-Hydrology: A Review, Critique, and Notes from the Semi-Arid American West
American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2016
(2016)
Abstract
“Socio-hydrology” as a concept has been in vogue for the past 10-15 years and has been defined as a means to better integrate hydrological and societal processes and connections. Rarely, however, do we reflect on the balance between the two elements in the concept, and all too often the “socio” is seen as a necessary evil in support of the hydrological sciences, rather than as an equal partner in the co-production of knowledge. This contribution will review and assess the “socio” component of socio-hydrology in order to better develop meaningful collaborations and research design, implementation and impact. A brief history of the term and related research is outlined (is it really new?), followed by a discussion of the current balance between socio and hydrology in this science, and directions for future research and integration. This contribution also introduces the concept of a “water policy cycle” as a way to integrate the “socio” into the more traditional (and engineering and bio-physical biased) hydrological cycle. Finally, we use an ongoing case of coproduction of knowledge and decision making in the semi-arid West, through the illustration of a dynamic and complex river basin in southwest Idaho, to relate the opportunities and challenges of socio-hydrology at the local and regional scale. Lessons learned at the forefront of real-time “socio-hydrology” will be articulated and generalized for a broader perspective and reflection. This contribution will address the coupled-natural processes and critical transitions and challenges for sustainable water management themes of HO61.
Keywords
- hydrology
Disciplines
Publication Date
February 16, 2016
Location
San Francisco, CA
Citation Information
Eric Lindquist. "The Role of the "Socio" in Socio-Hydrology: A Review, Critique, and Notes from the Semi-Arid American West" American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2016 (2016) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/eric_lindquist/27/