WorkBlocks

The work conducted by the WATCH project is divided into seven work blocks, with WorkBlocks 1 to 6 concentrating on the science and the 7th responsible for management and training. The work done by the six WorkBlocks is interdependent as the outputs of past and future scenarios are cross-cutting across Feedbacks (WB5), Extremes (WB4) and population and land use (WB2). The flow of information is represented in the schematic.

Description of the seven WorkBlocks (WB's):

1. WB1 will consolidate gridded data sets, improve the hydrological representation of hydrology in hydrological models and investigate the 20th century global water cycle using a combination of models and data.
2. WB2 will provide gridded estimates of population, land use and water requirements for the 20th and 21st centuries for use in the other Work Blocks.
3. WB3 will produce multi-model based projections for the terrestrial components of the global water cycle for the 21st century. This will include projections globally and for two contrasting regions. A full uncertainty analysis will be provided.
4. WB4 will advance our knowledge on the impact of global change on hydrological extremes, including spatial and temporal patterns of droughts and large-scale floods.
5. WB5 will provide a global and regional analysis of feedbacks between the land surface and climate system using a fusion of models and data.
6. WB6 will develop a unified water resources modelling and risk assessment framework, and use that generate more reliable, consolidated, quantitative assessments of the past and future states of water resources.
7. WB7 will deliver the management and organizational structures and processes to ensure the effective delivery of WATCH integrated and to maximize the benefits of this research to all stakeholders, by using the most effective knowledge transfer through the project's training and dissemination activities.