Maynooth University Department of Geography invites you to attend a seminar presented by Jamie Hannaford of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Droughts are costly natural hazards that impact all climate zones, causing severe impacts on lives and livelihoods in many parts of the world and causing major social and economic impacts even in developed countries – droughts are recognised as a major hazard in the UK’s national risk register. Droughts and water scarcity are projected to become more frequent and severe in future in a warming world, coupled with greater future pressures on water resources. For the UK and Ireland, along with much of northern Europe, our continuing vulnerability to drought was underscored in summer 2018 – in fact, the drought situation continues in some areas of the UK and remains a concern in longer-term outlooks into 2019. This presentation will give an overview of current drought research undertaken at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in the UK and will highlight how the outcomes are being used to inform improved drought management for a range of decision-makers.
The presentation will draw from a major interdisciplinary programme of research on droughts and water scarcity being funded by the UK research councils. I will discuss a number of strands of drought research, including: drought processes and propagation; drought indicators; drought impacts; drought monitoring and forecasting; historical reconstruction of droughts; climate and hydrological projections for future droughts. Along the way I will provide examples of how we are working with a range of stakeholders to ensure research is embedded into practice: for example, developing appropriate indicators for early warning for water supply companies, regulators and agricultural users; providing users with forecasts and scenarios during the ongoing drought in the UK; and using historical droughts and future projections to inform water resource management plans.
Jamie is the Principal Hydrologist at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Natural Environment Research Council, leading the Hydrological Status and Reporting at CEH which comprises scientists working on hydrological data management, hydrological monitoring and seasonal forecasting, analysis of past hydrological change and appraisal of future climate change impacts.
Seminar: Jamie Hannaford 20th November
Updated list of upcoming Seminars.
Geography Seminar Series 2018-2019 v9