Deeper Engagement with Material and Non-Material Aspects of Water in Land System Science: An Introduction to the Special Issue
December 1, 2024 - Vadjunec, Jacqueline M.; Fagin, Todd D.; Hinsdale, Lanah M.; Galvan, Georgina Belem Carrasco; Baum, Kristen A.
Print
EmailJournal or Book Title: LAND
Abstract: Water access and use impact land management decisions and livelihoods. Despite the integral role water plays in land systems, land system science (LSS) research often fails to explicitly incorporate water into analyses of socioecological systems (SES) resilience related to land. Nonetheless, water scarcity, especially in the face of climate change and resource degradation, is a pressing issue. Water availability is crucial to many ecosystem functions, from supporting biodiversity to mitigating extreme weather events such as flooding or drought. In this introduction to the Water in Land System Science Special Issue, we argue for deeper integration of land and water dynamics in LSS to increase SES resilience. First, we present an overview of the need for this integration, followed by a synopsis of the authored contributions in this Special Issue towards this goal. We then provide potential entry points researchers can use to foster this integration, exploring the following topics: water governance and hydrosocial territories, the cultural geographies of water, hydrophilia, water in agricultural transitions, remote sensing innovations, and participatory approaches to the study of the water component of land systems. We conclude that interactions between land, water, and people remain understudied, despite being more important than ever for ensuring future sustainability.
Type of Publication: Article