This online course - jointly developed by UNESCO-IHA, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, IUCN and Deltares - introduces the concept of environmental flows, explains why they are necessary, how to assess and implement them and what they can achieve and what they cannot. The topic of environmental flows requires input from a wide variety of disciplines: Hydrology, Hydraulics, Water chemistry and Geomorphology provide the baseline physical processes which govern environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems as well as the coastal zone. Governance, policy, economics and social conditions provide the framework for managing natural resources.

Course dates: December 1, 2012 - April 5, 2013

Deadline to apply: November 1, 2012

Learning objectives:

• To understand the importance of balancing the use and protection of the natural water resources
• To be able to describe the key hydrological, hydraulic, geomorphological, biological and ecological processes, their interactions and importance to sustaining fresh water ecosystems
• To have a good overview of the available methods used for assessing environmental flow for rivers, wetlands and/or coastal zones
• To be able to describe social, economic and environmental impacts of an environmental flow on the different water users and uses
• To provide the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage an environmental flow process

Visit the website to see the course brochure, including application and fees.