Collaborative Knowledge in Catchment Research Networks

Abstract

Catchments are increasingly used to structure collaborative knowledge to advance understanding and management of terrestrial and freshwater natural resources. To produce collaborative knowledge of catchment systems requires greater levels of integrative research based on networks of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. To enable increased levels of integrative research depends on development and application of digital technologies to improve collection, use, and sharing of data, and devising new knowledge infrastructures. Catchment observatories that integrate existing and novel physical, social, and digital networks of knowledge infrastructures are urgently needed. This chapter presents three leading international examples of collaborative networks of catchment researchers. In particular, the digital infrastructures they have developed to support collaborative knowledge in catchment research networks. This chapter provides future research directions required for the production, sharing, and use of collaborative knowledge in catchment research networks based on catchment systems science.