Establishment and development of the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research

Problems of soil erosion and sedimentation are issues of global concern. With the intensification of global change and the impacts of human activities, many countries are facing severe challenges from wide-ranging sediment-related problems. The prevention and control of sediment disasters and the rational use of soil and sediment resources are important requirements for the sustainable development strategies of all countries. As sediment problems are closely related to social, economic, and other human activities, the effective solution of sediment problems requires the concerted efforts of experts in different fields and thus an interdisciplinary approach is essential. In view of the increasing recognition of sediment as a topic of global significance and the need to promote interdisciplinary research in this field, the World Association for Sedimentation and Erosion Research (WASER) was inaugurated in 2004. In this paper the history of the establishment of WASER is reviewed and its main activities are briefly summarized. The series of International Symposia on River Sedimentation (ISRS) has served as the official symposium of WASER since 2004. These triennial technical events have been held in China, Russia, Japan, South Africa, and Germany with about 2,000 participants. In addition to sponsoring the ISRS, WASER has to date also sponsored/organized or co-sponsored/co-organized over 30 other international conferences, workshops, training courses, and study tours besides sponsoring the ISRSs. The adoption of the International Journal of Sediment Research (IJSR) as the official journal of WASER in 2004 has also played an important role in increasing the exposure of the Association. These activities have served to raise WASER's profile as well as promoting collaboration with agencies and other organizations working in the field of erosion and sedimentation. Three types of prizes and honors are awarded by WASER. These include the International Qian Ning Prize for Erosion and Sedimentation Technology, the IJSR Award for Distinguished Contributions to Sediment Research and Honorary Membership. Through its activities, WASER aims to strengthen the development of education and capacity building in the field of sustainable sediment management in global water management, promote sharing of information, on related data, the results of scientific research, and management methods, and advances in the study of erosion and sedimentation.