| Summary: |
The B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations conducted a research and information needs assessment survey to help identify specific knowledge gaps and develop strategic priorities for research to support sustainable water resource management in the South Coast and West Coast Natural Resource Regions of British Columbia. Some of the survey respondents most frequently identified priority research and management needs: surface water quantity research on low-flow magnitude and timing, rainfall timing and rates, peak flow magnitude, and snow accumulation; climate change effects on all aspects of water quantity, water supply, and water quality. Also highlighted was the need to better understand how extreme events such as drought and floods will affect water quantity, water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and natural resource development hazards; understanding and management of cumulative effects and land-use effects on all aspects of surface water, groundwater, aquatic ecosystems, and natural resource development hazards. More than 65% of the respondents identified online access to data, online access to georeferenced data, hydrometric monitoring data, and online access to analysis results/products as a high priority. Key policy and regulatory needs that were identified included groundwater regulation and groundwater resource inventory to determine resource availability and quality, and threats to sustainability. In addition to this report, a database of data sources, information sources, and relevant research projects and publications from British Columbia and adjoining jurisdictions was compiled. The database is intended to provide a first stop for researchers and managers in locating key water resource information of regional relevance. |
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