Thematic working groups | Space4Water Portal

Thematic working groups are sub-groups of the Space4Water community who meet regularly online to address water-related challenges falling under the thematic that is their key expertise, they have keen interest in contributing to making an impact or (exceptionally) when they plan to improve their skills in that area.

All groups focus on the use of space-based data and technology to address the water challenges they work on. The groups co-design space-based solutions in an interdisciplinary multi-stakeholder setting. Respectful eye-to-eye level communication is key in this setting, no matter whether you are a Director of an organisation, technical staff, or a representative of a local community.

To date, the Space4Water Community of Practice has eleven thematic groups meeting once monthly on the below listed topics. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, and you are already a Space4Water community member, send your focal point an email expressing interest.

If you are not yet a Space4Water community member, follow the instructions here.

Space4Water Thematic Group A addresses challenges related to the water-food nexus.

Related water-related challenges currently being addressed:

Integrated water resource management for sustainable agriculture: data-driven approaches to optimize crop patterns and water use in Pakistan

Data-driven irrigation demand forecasting for rotational water management under the Warabandi system

Relevant related space-based solutions

Data-driven irrigation demand forecasting for rotational water management under the Warabandi system - in development

Regular meetings

Every third Monday of the month via MS Teams.

Space4Water Thematic Group B addresses challenges related to water scarcity, drought and groundwater.

Relevant related water challenges

Water scarcity in Egypt’s arid regions

Groundwater resource management using artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies

Decline in groundwater levels and quality

Lack of continuous qualitative and quantitative groundwater data for groundwater management within the Congo Basin

Relevant related space-based solutions

Groundwater resource management using artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies - in development

Regular meetings

Not yet agreed upon.

Space4Water Thematic Group D addresses challenges related to land cover land use changes and their impact on watersheds.

Space4Water Thematic Group E addresses challenges related to rainwater and runoff water harvesting.

Related water-related challenges currently being addressed:

Small-holder farmers in northern Madagascar are disproportionately impacted by drought

Droughts and Floods over the same region

Samburu tribe lacks access to safe drinking water - Dry spells due to water scarcity

Relevant related space-based solutions

Harnessing rain: A system of safe, secure and sustainable drinking water - in development

Determining optimum sites for rainwater harvesting - in development

Regular meetings

Every second Monday of the month via MS Teams.

Space4Water Thematic Group F addresses challenges related to water quality monitoring.

Related water-related challenges currently being addressed:

The disappearance of Lake Ol’ Bolossat: a threat to biodiversity, livelihoods and water security in Central Kenya

Sedimentation, reduced water quality, and ecosystem degradation threats in the catchment areas of Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria

Relevant related space-based solutions

Under development

Regular meetings

Not yet agreed upon.

Space4Water Thematic Group G addresses challenges related to water, mountain and forests.

Related water-related challenges currently being addressed:

The ecohydrological trade-off in Nepal’s Middle Hills: mapping spring decline and groundwater loss in community forests through space-based solutions

Honouring Andes's water heritage: bridging traditional knowledge and technology for ancestral water sources management in Quilloac, Ecuador

Mangrove forest loss in the Caribbean

Relevant related space-based solutions

Satellite-based ecohydrological analysis for spring revival in Nepal's Middle Hills - in development and need for input

Regular meetings

Every third Thursday of the month via MS Teams.

Space4Water Thematic Group H addresses challenges related to floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFS), landslides and (trans-boundary) early warning.