IHP-IX 4.2. Research on upstream-downstream river uses shared to minimize socio-economic and ecological impacts.

Research on upstream-downstream river uses for hydropower, navigation, fishery, leisure activities, water supply, drought risk management and flood risk management conducted and shared by the scientific community and UNESCO Water Family to minimize socio-economic and ecological consequences. 1. Identification, sharing, publishing and building capacity on good inclusive practices in upstream-downstream river uses for hydropower, irrigation, navigation, fishery, leisure activities, water supply and water related risk management. 2. Research projects, incorporating among others Water Cycle Management (WCM) and Integrated River Research and Management (IRM) and ecohydrology methods to enhance the sustainability potential WBSR+CE river and its catchment, examine the upstream-downstream effects of river uses and their interactions including with aquifers and, where appropriate, in a transboundary context, to balance competing objectives and manage water-related environmental risks, minimize ecological consequences and improve biodiversity. 3. Assessment, in selected basins, of the impacts of groundwater overextraction and contamination on the upstream-downstream dynamics, with focus on river baseflow and groundwater dependent ecosystems. 4. Implementation of Flood and Drought Early Warning Systems (FEWS, DEWS) to monitor and forecast floods and droughts in different river basins and to inform river management decisions. [Ref. to 1.6]