Introduction to the Special Issue “The Intersection of Society and Watershed Science”

Despite significant advances in watershed science and technology, water availability, water quality, and water related health problems remain a significant worldwide concern [1]. While the concept of watershed-scale management to address these concerns remains intact, most scientists recognize that application of natural science concepts and advanced technologies are not sufficient to adequately address watershed-scale water management issues. There is a significant need for a paradigm shift, i.e., namely increased public interaction and participation in watershed management and decision-making. The effective application of an integrated approach requires developing new scientific concepts on integration of natural and social sciences. In recent years, concepts, such as integrated watershed management and/or holistic approaches to water resource management, have been widely promoted (e.g., [2–6]). [...]