Mobilizing Young Researchers, Citizen Scientists, and Mobile Technology to Close Water Data Gaps: Methods Development and Initial Results in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Jeff Davids

Research output: ThesisDissertation (TU Delft)

709 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Data gaps as educational opportunities - mobilizing young researchers, citizen scientists, and mobile technology in data and resource scarce areas. This dissertation chronicles these themes through the lessons learned along the fledgling journey of SmartPhones4Water (S4W) and S4W-Nepal, from inception through the first few years of implementation. S4W mobilizes young researchers and citizen scientists with simple field data collection methods, low-cost sensors, and a common mobile data collection platform that can be standardized and scaled. S4W's ultimate goal is to improve lives by strengthening our understanding and management of water. If thoughtfully done, this process of filling data and knowledge gaps in data and resource scarce regions can also serve to improve the quality and applicability of young researchers' and citizen scientists' education. S4W’s first pilot project, S4W-Nepal, initially concentrated on the Kathmandu Valley, and is now expanding into other regions of the country. S4W-Nepal facilitates ongoing monitoring of precipitation, stream and groundwater levels and quality, freshwater biodiversity, and several short-term measurement campaigns focused on monsoon precipitation, land use changes, stone spout flow and quality, streamflow, and stream-aquifer interactions. This research contains both methodological components that investigate novel methods for generating hydrometeorological data (Chapters 2 through 4), along with initial applications of these methods to answer specific science questions (Chapters 5 and 6).
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Delft University of Technology
Supervisors/Advisors
  • van de Giesen, N.C., Supervisor
  • Bogaard, T.A., Supervisor
Award date13 Jun 2019
Print ISBNs978-94-028-1547-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Citizen Science
  • Young Researchers
  • Mobile Technology
  • Nepal
  • Kathmandu Valley
  • Smartphones
  • Open Data Kit (ODK)
  • SmartPhones4Water
  • S4W
  • S4W-Nepal
  • Subsampling
  • Streamflow
  • Salt Dilution
  • Precipitation
  • Land-use
  • Water Quality
  • Stream-Aquifer Interactions

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