Advances in Groundwater Governance by Villholth, Karen G.; Lopez-Gunn, Elena; Conti, Kirstin;

Short description:

This book presents the complexity and many dimensions of groundwater governance in 28 chapters, written by a global team of leading experts. The first part of the book defines groundwater governance, exploring its emergence and evolution, framing it through a socio-ecological lens and describing groundwater policy and planning approaches. The se

Long description:

This book addresses groundwater governance, a subject internationally recognized as crucial and topical for enhancing and safeguarding the benefits of groundwater and groundwater-dependent ecosystems to humanity, while ensuring water and food security under global change.

The multiple and complex dimensions of groundwater governance are captured in 28 chapters, written by a team of leading experts from different parts of the world and with a variety of relevant professional backgrounds. The book aims to describe the state-of-the-art and latest developments regarding each of the themes addressed, paying attention to the wide variation of conditions observed around the globe.

The book consists of four parts. The first part sets the stage by defining groundwater governance, exploring its emergence and evolution, framing it through a socio-ecological lens and describing groundwater policy and planning approaches. The second part discusses selected key aspects of groundwater governance. The third part zooms in on the increasingly important linkages between groundwater and other resources or sectors, and between local groundwater systems and phenomena or actions at the international or even global level. The fourth part, finally, presents a number of interesting case studies that illustrate contemporary practice in groundwater governance.

In one volume, this highly accessible text not only familiarizes water professionals, decision-makers and local stakeholders with groundwater governance, but also provides them with ideas and inspiration for improving groundwater governance in their own environment.

"[...] the book’s team has done a commendable job in wrapping up existing knowledge, broadening the discussion further and delineating gaps. The book will undoubtedly contribute to raising the much-needed awareness for groundwater governance and boosting its implementation.

Recommended to those interested in the fascinating and complex topic of groundwater governance, particularly researchers, several chapters provide a wealth of synthesized information that can also serve as a useful source for academia.

From the practical standpoint, professionals and practitioners aiming to address groundwater governance issues where political will for doing so exists should be able to find pragmatic solutions informed by the specific contexts of the concerned groundwater systems. The solutions - often reached through dialogue with stakeholders and their engagement - should target the materialization of improved governance as a dynamic process. Examples of such successful solutions are given; additionally, the book provides case studies that illustrate numerous options for improving groundwater governance in a given context, as examples of how the launch of the dynamic process can be facilitated."
Dr. Mohamed Bazza, formerly Senior Water Resources Officer at FAO.

"Through 28 chapters, in the first book on this topic, Villholth et al. (2017) successfully capture the moment and momentum of groundwater governance research from concepts to application to synergies to international case studies.

[…….] Being interested in both policy and science, we found the book an enjoyable read, with some new-to-us terminology such as hydro-schizophrenia (something we are familiar with in Texas), ISD (invisible, slow, distributed), water endowment, groan zone, and hydro-hegemony.

[…….] But quibbles aside, this book is a great – and thorough – introduction to groundwater governance […..]"
Robert E. Mace and Todd H. Votteler, in: Groundwater, Vol 57, No. 2, March-April 2019

Table of Contents:

Setting the stage. Key elements of groundwater governance. Integration and policy linkages beyond the local groundwater system. Cases.