Sponsor
This project was supported by National Science Foundation Grants 1039192 (Oregon State University), 1038925 (Portland State University), and 1038899 (University of Oregon).
Published In
PNAS
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-2017
Subjects
Water-supply -- Effect of climatic changes on, Water conservation, Water storage, Water security
Abstract
Water scarcity afflicts societies worldwide. Anticipating water shortages is vital because of water’s indispensable role in social-ecological systems. But the challenge is daunting due to heterogeneity, feedbacks, and water’s spatial-temporal sequencing throughout such systems. Regional system models with sufficient detail can help address this challenge. In our study, a detailed coupled human–natural system model of one such region identifies how climate change and socioeconomic growth will alter the availability and use of water in coming decades. Results demonstrate how water scarcity varies greatly across small distances and brief time periods, even in basins where water may be relatively abundant overall. Some of these results were unexpected and may appear counterintuitive to some observers. Key determinants of water scarcity are found to be the cost of transporting and storing water, society’s institutions that circumscribe human choices, and the opportunity cost of water when alternative uses compete.
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1706847114
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/22708
Citation Details
Jaeger, W.K. et al. 2017. Finding Water Scarcity Amid Abundance Using Human–Natural System Models. PNAS, 114(44).
Included in
Environmental Monitoring Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Description
To the best of our knowledge, this work was authored as part of the Contributor's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government in accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105.