This course will introduce students to the foundations of watershed management and hydrology in humid and arid environments with emphasis in the Mediterranean. Watersheds are the basic land unit for water resource and essential for sustainable management. Important hydrologic concepts and methods and the hydrologic cycle are described in detail to provide a foundation for how landscapes and water interact. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) will be the basis and the participatory approach will be described in developing management plans and how it is necessary to balance different water resource needs and demands.

• Watershed components and processes
• The Hydrologic cycle and hydrology process
• Development of practical management options
• Methods for the assessment of management alternatives
• Stakeholder identification and consultation
• Choosing the best management plan and implementing it

On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:

• Delineate Watershed and estimate water budgets
• Development of Integrated Water Resources Management Plans
• Critical management issues such as resource planning, stakeholder involvement, decision-making methods, environmental and social impact assessment

6 credits

1. W. Heathcote. Integrated Watershed Management: Principles and Practice. Wiley; 2 edition, pp. 464 (2009)
2. A. DeBarry Watersheds: Processes, Assessment and Management. Wiley; 1 edition pp. 720 (2004).
3. N. Brooks, P.F. Ffolliott, H.M. Gregersen, L.F. DeBano Hydrology and the Management of Watersheds. Wiley-Blackwell; 3rd Edition edition pp. 574 (2003)