Three Unique Research Clusters

Hydro-climate Modeling (HC)

The Hydro-Climate Modeling research cluster works to develop a range of future climate scenarios most relevant to the needs of communities in transboundary watersheds using state-of-the-art climate and water level modeling techniques. The HC cluster analyzes the resulting projections to create water quantity and quality possibilities that inform adaptive decision-making across scales and jurisdictions in transboundary watersheds. The HC research team employs a physics-informed statistical simulation approach to develop future projections of transboundary basin precipitation, lake evaporation, basin-wide runoff, and water supplies.

Ecosystem and Water Quality (EWQ)

Many transboundary communities rely on key ecosystem functions and processes that have long been threatened by climate and anthropogenic stressors. Transboundary ecosystems that support diverse terrestrial and aquatic species are also impacted by these effects. The Ecosystem and Water Quality research cluster combines TEK and coordinated monitoring efforts with climate scenarios developed by the HC cluster to create understandings of stressor impacts on water quality and ecosystems. The EWQ cluster also analyzes impacts of water quality degradation across international boundaries and within different communities (e.g., rural, Indigenous, urban) while assessing how these changes will impact people, infrastructure, and ecosystem function. 

Climate Ready Communities and Transboundary Governance (CRTG)

The Climate Ready Communities and Transboundary Governance research cluster employs social science theories, approaches, and mixed methods to assess and develop governance models that help communities prepare for climate change impacts. The CRTG cluster develops knowledge by focusing on several transboundary Indigenous, U.S., and Canadian communities, resulting in the development of water governance assessment frameworks that incorporate critical data from the HC and EWQ research teams. Findings are integrated, tested, and applied across communities in the Great Lakes basin, the Rio Grande Basin, and other global transboundary regions. The CRTG cluster then applies the framework at watershed and community scales to assist local government and communities in incorporating multiple climate science perspectives (including Indigenous Knowledge and TEK) into water resources management and decision-making.  

Cluster Collaboration

Collaboration among the GCTW’s three research clusters ensure that information is credible and useful in mechanisms for formulating community plans, policies, and regulations, and for motivating community action. Outcomes of our work include foundational science describing origins and impacts of climate change threats facing the water resources of transboundary communities (including elements of risk, spatiotemporal frequency, and human health and well-being), and increased capacity for informed and effective governance. Our overarching objective is to co-create science leading to resilient community models first in the Great Lakes region, then in other Indigenous-U.S.-Canada  transboundary communities, and ultimately extending these models to transboundary waters around the globe.

GCTW Research Commitments

We are committed to empowering evidence-based decision-making and inspiring action to combat the escalating water crises and climate change-induced hazards. We recognize the utmost importance of involving marginalized populations in the co-creation of scientific knowledge and decision-making processes. This commitment strengthens Our Global Center's ability to make a lasting impact. The scientific and community-engagement models we are developing are designed to be replicable and scalable for communities worldwide as we expand our global outreach and network engagement in the years to come.