Hydrosphere under the Driving of Human Activity and Climate Change: Status, Evolution and Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Our planet is experiencing unprecedented, rapid, and drastic changes induced by human beings and the climatic system. These changes have been propagating significant influences on various aspects of the earth system, further threatening the survival of human beings. Among all the spheres of the earth system, the hydrosphere is the most fundamental one to the existence of nearly all life on earth, the maintenance of the eco-environment on which life depends, as well as the development of human society. It can be said that the history of human development is a journey of water exploration, water management, and water utilization. Meanwhile, the hydrosphere is also the most sensitive sphere of the earth system to external changes. The rapid development of human society has greatly damaged the availability of water resources in both quantity and quality aspects in the past hundreds of years. Apart from the anthropogenic factors, the warming climate has been recognized as the widest and most profound factor influencing the state of the hydrosphere and water resource availability globally. It is no exaggeration to say that the hydrosphere on earth is suffering from the great pressures from human society and global warming and undergoing unprecedented drastic changes. Water crises and water-related geohazards will become more and more frequent during this process. The present Topic aims to gather the latest innovative insights into the status of the hydrosphere, its evolution driven by anthropogenic activity and climate warming, and corresponding strategies, policies, and technologies. Specifically, this Topic intends to offer a broad overview of the latest achievements focusing on water circulation, surface water and groundwater interaction, water resources, water quality, geothermal water, water (including surface water and groundwater) behaviors and related geohazards, water resource management, and water resource policy and knowledge dissemination. All types of manuscripts (original research, reviews, short communications) are welcome.

Dr. Yong Xiao
Prof. Dr. Jianping Wang
Prof. Dr. Jinlong Zhou
Topic Editors