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A call for consistency and integration in global surface water estimates
Citation:
Rajib, A., A. Khare, H. Golden, B. Gupta, Q. Wu, C. Lane, J. Christensen, Q. Zheng, T. Dahl, J. Ryder, AND B. McFall. A call for consistency and integration in global surface water estimates. Environmental Research Letters. IOP Publishing LIMITED, Bristol, Uk, 19:021002, (2024). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad1722
Impact/Purpose:
The availability of accurate global surface water extent (GSWE) data improves understanding of hydrological, biological, and biogeochemical processes in watersheds, reduces uncertainties in flood and drought predictions, and advances spatially explicit conservation and restoration efforts. Mapping GSWE is not necessarily a new science, but it is rapidly evolving. Since the development of the Global Lakes and Wetlands Database, our spatial data informatics competency has dramatically increased. Here, we suggest that currently available GSWE datasets – despite their structural and spatial inconsistencies – are a foundation from which to improve the development, ease-of-use, and applicability of GSWEs into the future. We posit, however, that more strategic, transparent, and accessible approaches for selecting the best GSWE dataset or to integrate multiple suitable GSWE datasets for specific research, management, and policy questions and decisions are needed.
Description:
Global shifts in climatic conditions and anthropogenic disturbances are dramatically modifying the Earth’s ecosystem. Ensuring water security, availability, and quality within this context largely depends on how accurately we can map Global Surface Water Extents (GWSE). Mapping GSWE is not necessarily a new science, but it is rapidly evolving. Since the development of the Global Lakes and Wetlands Database, our spatial data informatics competency has dramatically increased, expanding Earth observations, computational resources, and geospatial techniques. With the abundance of new global datasets, we ask: How different are the currently available GSWE datasets and what directions do we – as a water research and management community – need to go to improve their consistency and integration? Here, we suggest that currently available GSWE datasets – despite their structural and spatial inconsistencies – are a foundation from which to improve the development, ease-of-use, and applicability of GSWEs into the future. We posit, however, that more strategic, transparent, and accessible approaches for selecting the best GSWE dataset or to integrate multiple suitable GSWE datasets for specific research, management, and policy questions and decisions are needed.
