Quantitative assessment of interdisciplinarity in water science programs

Water occupies a prominent role in global environmental change research as a result of its importance in the efficient functioning of the Earth System, and its role in socioeconomic development. Anthropogenic and natural factors have led to unparalleled changes in the global water system, necessitating integrative, interdisciplinary and holistic research paradigm for water resources management. A meta-analysis of water science projects shows that water research activities fall into HUMAN, ECOLOGY, PROCESS, and CLIMATE-BIOGEOCHEMISTRY clusters. Research themes within the clusters suggest that each research project set priorities along the lines of certain scientific disciplines. Statistical analysis further reveals low level of integration between the research clusters. The persistence of a disciplinary perspective could hinder science from effectively informing policy for sustainable water resources management. A proper integration of knowledge generated from different disciplinary epistemologies through partnership and collaboration of research projects is required for effective water management.