Aquifer recharge : epistemology and interdisciplinarity.

Abstract

The environmental issues related to aquifer recharge and discharge present challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach. This paper reports an epistemological study on the contribution of different fields of knowledge to the research on hydrogeological processes. The study is based on the hypothesis that this dialog is essential to the resolution of current and future environmental problems, including those related to water use. The first proposition is to discuss epistemological and information management approaches that may contribute to a better spatial, qualitative and quantitative characterization of aquifer recharge. Preliminary conceptual models are developed to demonstrate the possibilities of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve the environmental issues presented here. The paper concludes with a discussion of the possibilities of incorporating knowledge on aquifer recharge into environmental and water resources policies.