Climate change is significantly impacting Canada鈥檚 water resources. From melting permafrost, to more pervasive algal blooms, to increased flooding, these impacts are only expected to increase in the future. Three professors from the University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 Water Institute have been awarded significant grants to develop new, innovative technologies and to deliver new management approaches to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of Canada鈥檚 water resources in the face of climate change.
Nandita Basu听from the Faculties of Science and Engineering,听Claude Duguay听from the Faculty of Environment, and听Merrin Macrae听from the Faculty of Environment are the principal investigators on three of the 11 projects receiving funding from the听听鈥 the largest university-led water research program ever funded worldwide.听A total of 40 Water Institute members from 10 different departments will contribute to the 11 projects.
Each of these projects brings together a team of researchers from various disciplines, and from multiple institutions.听The Global Water Futures program will transform water management in Canada, and it鈥檚 very exciting that the University of 蓝莓视频 is involved.
Professor Nandita Basu from the Faculties of Science and Engineering is the principal investigator on a project that focuses on the causes, impacts and mitigation of various pressures affecting water quality in the Great Lakes. By creating models, determining indicators and measuring the vulnerability of the lake ecosystem, the project will deliver long-term management tools and strategies that account for changing climate and land use.
Professor Claude Duguay from the Faculty of Environment is leading a project to develop, test and implement a 鈥淏ig Data鈥 platform that supports the measurement, monitoring and understanding of various water issues affecting cold regions. The project will couple terrestrial sensor networks, drones and satellites to provide accurate and real-time data for Canada鈥檚 water managers.
Professor Merrin Macrae from the Faculty of Environment will evaluate water availability, use and quality in the agricultural sector. The project will develop improved predictive tools, policy instruments and governance strategies to facilitate the sustainable management of water resources in agricultural regions of Canada.
The research outcomes and impact from each of these projects will contribute significantly to new risk management approaches, new technologies and decision-making tools, and other evidence-based solutions to address complex water challenges facing Canada in upcoming years.
Visit the听听for more information about the 11 projects.