Introduction: The Geographical Analysis of Water Problems

摘要

Water is paramount to life on earth. This dependency operates through a global circulatory system that transfers matter and energy throughout the earth. In doing so, water is central to atmospheric, hydrologic, geomorphic, and biological systems, as well as to the complex and dynamic linkages between them. Also integrated are the human operators who deliberately manage or unintentionally alter these physical systems. Crucial to understanding water dynamics within these complex systems are the distribution, interaction, and movement of water through geographic space. Despite a critical need to study water, coupled with the obvious analytical and spatial characteristics of water, Geographical Analysis (GA), to date, contains few research articles with a water theme. The objective of this special issue is to fill this gap by publishing a set of articles addressing the spatial analysis of water problems; they demonstrate how geographical analysis tools provide insight into water-related topics that otherwise may not have been understood.