FINAL CONFERENCE FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE IHP - V

PROJECT 2.3/2.4 ON ECOHYDROLOGY

SUMMARIZING REGIONAL COORDINATION ACTIVITIES
ON ECOHYDROLOGY (1996 - 2001)

Antecedents

In march 1997, Dr. Andras Szollosi-Nagy, Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme, informed me that the Executive Council of the IHP, on its 23th session (Paris, March, 1996), has acknowledged the Ecuadorians candidates for the different working groups, that were sent by the Executive Director of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI). The meeting decided to join projects 2.3 and 2.4 and to design Mr. Luis Rodríguez Fiallos from INAMHI, as Regional Coordinator for Latin American and the Caribbean for the projects on Ecohydrology (2.3/2.4) listed on the International Hydrological Program IHP V (1995-2001).

Coordinating Actions

Notes have been sent to the members of the group on Ecohydrology, of the countries of American Latin and Caribbean, with information activities to be carried on in the framework of the IHP V program, as well as information regarding the Symposium to be held in Dienten, Australia in May 1997, encouraging the active participation in all the activities of the region.

At that time, five members of the working group were nominated by the Executive Council of the IHP, of the countries: Argentina, Cuba, Guatemala, Guyana and Paraguay, the members from: Panama, Brazil and Guyana have expressed interest in participating under the condition of financial support availability. Regarding this issue, they were informed that the Secretariat does not give financial support for project execution, but only facilitate exchange of criteria among experts by organizing scientific meetings, courses for technical capacity building, consultant assistance for governments and organizations, reports and publications. In order to accomplish this, the Secretariat asks for contributions from the members, according with their capacity, this contributions are mainly: designing experts to work on activities and chosen themes, donating funds for certain programs of IHP or acting as seats for scientific meetings. 

In the framework of the IHP, Ecuador has cooperated in the elaboration of a Contingent Plan to Evaluate Ecohydrological Surface Process of projects and proposed the accomplishment of one project, that is in execution. 

Coordination was active with Professor Maciej Salewski, Chairman of the Scientific Steering Committee. All information requirements regarding projects and activities carried out, as published on the Scientific Documents of IHP V: Proceedings of the Workshop on Ecohydrology carried out in Poland, on may 1998 and Technical paper in Hydrology  IHP V No.21.  In the same manner, information about the Workshop taking place on Lodz (May 1998) was made available for all members of the Region, as well as the results, conclusions and foreseen activities. Cooperation according with capacity was also asked to the members.
Coordination was also active with members from other regions, for instance with Doctor L. Chicharo from Algarve University (Portugal), who cooperated to elaborate a project profile on El Niño and its influence on water flow and ecosystems on the Chone River Estuary, as a contribution from Ecuador to the projects 2.3/2.4.

Information on the final conference of the first phase of IHP V Projects 2.3/2.4 on Ecohydrology was sent to all members of the region, as sent by the UNESCO seat of Venice: "The Application of Ecohydrology to Water Resource Development and Management ", that will take place on Venice, Italy on September 2001.

Looking for the participation of all state members of the region of Latin America and the Caribbean on the execution of projects 2.3/2.4 on Ecohydrology  (IHP V), the cooperation of 13 members of the Working Group of Hydrology of the WMO, from which I am also a member representing Ecuador, was asked for. 

Projects and Research

A summary of projects, studies and research carried out or in execution in the region during the period 1996-2001, it's presented in tables attached.
 
Academic Courses and Technical Training    

The regional coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean has participated on the International Workshop on Ecohydrology, held in Lodz, Poland in May 1998.  The coordinator has presented a report of the region and a paper that was published on the Technical Documents of the meeting.

Two members of the region have participated on the UNESCO IHP V course entitled: "Advanced Study Course in Ecohydrology", held in Poland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy on September 1999, with important application works on the region, they were published on the IHP-V Technical Document No. 34. 

Future Activities

A report on future activities to be carried out on the Latin American and the Caribbean for the next phase of the IHP, projects related to the Ecohydrology, coordination received the proposition of the project on Evaluation and Management of the Contamination the Titicaca Lake, proposed by the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru. 

To continue with the execution of the project it is not been concluded in the first phase.
 
Conclusions and Recommendations

Participation on projects execution, activities or scientific meetings in the framework of the Ecohydrology IHP V, projects 2.3/2.4 has been possible, thanks to the collaboration from UNESCO, the Scientific Committee represented by the Director, Professor Maciej Zalewski, the coordinators from other regions and its members, all this valuable cooperation is sincerely acknowledged.

The coordination desires to express also thanks to all members of the region for their active participation during this period.

It is necessary to motivate national and international experts in the region to continue to participate on the activities related to projects on Ecohydrology considered for the next phase of the IHP program.

Activate participation of the countries on the IHP projects, increasing their attention and looking for applications with studies and research related to the Ecohydrological issues oriented to reduce the uncertainty related to the biotic and abiotic processes related with water.

Luis Rodríguez Fiallos
Regional Coordinator for Latin American and Caribbean
Projects 2.3/2.4 on Ecohydrology