FOREWORD

The understanding of the dynamic nature of our global fresh water resource is a challenge that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in co-operation with UNESCO and WMO, address through the water component of the Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS/WATER). The dynamic nature of these resources reflects the continuous interplay between the natural processes of geochemistry, hydrology, sedimentology and those activities associated with the human occupation of the river basins.

The Annotated Digital Atlas of Global Water Quality selectively summarizes data contributed by countries participating in the GEMS/WATER Programme over the period 1976 - 1990. The site also includes information gathered from many other sources. It summarizes the results of analysis and interpretation for 82 major river basins around the world. Some of the areas are located in highly populated and industrialized areas where human impacts can be clearly seen. Other watersheds represent more pristine areas that are currently not under extensive human stress.

This work contributes to the scientific investigation of global water resources. As global population increases and our demands on fresh water supplies grow, economic and development activities continue to increase the stress on natural ecosystems. Using examples drawn from the GEMS/WATER data bank, this volume demonstrates how natural processes interact with anthropogenic factors to create the observed water quality conditions.

It is said that knowledge empowers the individual. One of the essential purposes of the UNEP/GEMS Programme is to disseminate knowledge of environmental conditions to people around the world who are directly or indirectly effected by changes occurring in this global resource. It is my hope that this publication will contribute to our knowledge of the trends and conditions of water resources in diverse regions of our world.

Andrew S. Fraser GEMS/Water Data Manager		Michel Meybeck CNRS, University of Paris Paris, France
Edwin D. Ongley Director, UNEP WHO Collaborating Centres		Kelly Hodgson GEMS/Water Environmental Analyst

GEMS/WATER
URL of this page: http://www.cciw.ca/atlas-gwq/forward-e.html
Last updated: 2002-02-04