Hydrological research basins and the environment

The International Conference on Hydrological Research Basins and the Environment, was held at Wageningen from September 24th to 28th. The conference was organized by the Committee of the European Network of Experimental and Representative Basins and the National Committee of the Netherlands for the International Hydrological Programme of Unesco. Much of our basic knowledge on hydrological processes has come from studies in research basins. These well-instrumented basins have also produced much very suitable data for hydrological investigations an water resources management studies. In recent years the significance of the role of research basins in hydrology has considerably changed. It was found that research basins also constitute an irreplaceable tool for studying anthropogenic effects on water resources and the environment. Detailed observations and measurements have strongly increased the awareness of the effect of human activities on the quality of the environment and consequently the threat to life. Studying the changes caused by anthropogenic effects is most useful when carried out in well-equipped research basins, supported by basin experiments. Such studies are also a valuable starting point for sound future environmental management. The main objective of the conference was to bring together scientists involved in hydrological basin research, to stimulate the exchange of information and to encourage international cooperation in research projects. During the conference the Third General Meeting of the European Network of Experimental and Representative Basins was held. This network of basins, covering nine countries in Europe, organizes periodical meetings and tries to enhance harmonization of observations and methods of analysis, and to implement research projects of common interest.