Number 17 · October-December 2020
BOOK PRESENTATION:
WATER RESOURCES OF MEXICO
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hrough the webinars organized by the Universidad de las Américas Puebla (udlap) publishing house, the “Water Resources of Mexico” book by Dr. José A. Raynal Villaseñor, professor at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla and member of the unesco Chair on Hydrometeorological Risks, was presented. This new publication is a reference for scholars and decision makers since it unites renowned specialists and experts regarding the water problems of the country. This comprehensive volume, edited by Springer, presents the topic of water resources of Mexico from a different angle. During the webinar introducing this work, Dr. Raynal Villaseñor stated that this book is the summary of two and a half years of work by the authors of the 15
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chapters included in the publication. Besides covering geohydrology, “Water Resources of Mexico” also offers a brief account of ancient water resource works such as the chapter written by Dr. José Raynal on hydrological and hydraulic works of the Aztec civilization. In addition, other academic researchers from udlap discuss topics such as data models for river basin management in Mexico, climate change and hydraulic sources, and the possible scenarios created by the impact of global warming on evaporation in Mexico. This book is part of a series entitled “World Water Resources” edited by Dr. Vijay P. Singh, a tenured professor at Texas A&M University, who during this presentation shared that the series was developed after realizing that water safety is one the challenges of the 21st century. As
such, to achieve water sustainability, water safety had to be addressed from three essential perspectives: environment, economy, and society. Then, he explained that, by addressing these topics, each book in the series seeks to contribute to the abovementioned change and foster the development of water sciences, particularly, in each region as in the case of the edition dedicated to Mexico. Dr. Felipe Arreguín Cortés, a researcher at the unam’s Engineering Institute and a co-author, also participated in the event. He emphasized that the book is well focused and offers current solutions. Therefore, it is a well-prepared book. “The first three chapters carefully review the surface and underground hydrological issues in Mexico, including aspects we need to solve the large problem we face regarding the overconcession of surface waters and overexploitation of aquifers. There is another very important chapter on the water–energy–food chain, which
is currently necessary as we need more food and energy supplies. In fact, this chapter is addressed at a high level with technical precision.” The preceded part in quotes is the argument of Dr. Felipe Arreguín Cortés. Dr. Carlos Díaz Delgado, a researcher at the uaem’s Inter-American Institute of Water Science and Technology and co-author of the chapter on the water–energy– food chain, stated that the mentioned publication could be considered a masterpiece on water science in Mexico “for its magnificent content and treasures for supporting strategic decision-making aimed at building a more sustainable nation. The book has been enriched by the knowledge cultivated and accumulated over many years by a team of 31 authors carefully selected by the editor. The knowledge contained in the book has been compiled within the boundaries of 15 chapters in just 288 pages,” as asserted by Dr. Carlos Díaz Delgado.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON “WATER RESOURCES OF MEXICO,” VISIT:
https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030406851 - aboutBook
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