Introduction
IWMI's World Water and Climate Atlas is a growing collection of data
products and analytical tools focused on climate and water
resources. IWMI has assembled these data and tools in a standardized
format that can be quickly and easily analyzed using the accompanying
software package, the Synthesizer. Examples of what can be done with
the Atlas include: identify areas suitable for rainfed agriculture,
provide inputs for hydrologic modeling of river basins, extract
climate inputs for crop modeling, and help project water supply and
demand globally, nationally, and by river basins. This document is a
companion to a power-point slide show:
"http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/WAtlas/AtlasExam.htm"
Applications
A number of specific applications will be possible using the
Atlas. For example, information from the Atlas can help to generate
synthetic streamflow estimates for selected watersheds. The outputs
of the analysis could improve project planning and design through
improved estimates of development potential, and help estimate the
extent to which annual flows can be developed for alternative
uses. Other studies could include the exploration of the impact of
climate change on irrigated areas, or investigating salinization.
Software Summary
The system is written for Windows 95/98. System resource requirements
are based upon the data the user will be working with. We suggest a
minimum of 32Mb of RAM (more memory improves performance) and 150Mb of
available hard-disk space for the basic system. Data products range
from a few megabytes to several gigabytes in size and are available on
the web and CD-ROM. At present, large data products are only available
on CD-ROM.
Queries and Suggestions
IWMI will be pleased to answer questions concerning the overall Atlas
and the Synthesizer. Please send email to IWMI
(i.makin@cgiar.org). Questions concerning specific grids, other than
those directly produced by IWMI, must be addressed to the original
source (as shown in the IWMI web page). IWMI encourages contributions
of data and suggestions for further improvement of the Atlas and the
Synthesizer.
More information about downloading and ordering this software and data
may be obtained from the World Water and Climate Atlas Home Page.
Link to: "http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/WAtlas/atlas.htm"
[Summary Adapted from the IWMI Home page]
