Discussion on Discipline System and Research Framework of Water Science

In the past two decades,the term"water science"has been used with a very high frequency and certain confusion.Therefore,it is urgent to define the discipline system of"water science".Combining literature reviews with personal understanding,this paper contributes to the following aspects: First,to define the concept and category of"water science"on the basis of domestic comments on water science.Second,to summarize the academic system of"water science"which involves 8 disciplines and 10 overlapping aspects,namely,hydrology,water resource,water environment,water security,water engineering,water economy,water law,water culture,water information and water education.Third,to structure the research framework of"water science",which means the system of"basic theory-technical approach-practical application".Finally,to forecast the development of"water science"in the future and put forward 8 research directions and trends based on confronting challenges.