\n<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn 1989, I was involved with UNESCO MAB and IHP programmes, as scientific co-ordinator of one of the sub-programmes, the first programme concerning land\/water ecotone buffer zones. Polish ecology research was, at that time, carried out by the International Centre of Ecology; however, my transdisciplinary work in the UNESCO programmes piqued the interest of the President of the Polish Academy of Science. In 2000, he invited me to restructure the International Centre for Ecology towards Ecohydrology.<\/p>\n
The field of ongoing limnological research was relatively narrow, and I knew that we could not continue using such an approach \u2013 focusing attempts to solve very complex river-system problems in the catchment perspective, by narrow specialists, does not work. Prior to this, I considered the necessary integration of science because water is a key driver in the biosphere. To better understand hydrological processes, ecological processes should also be considered. Therefore, a top-down algorithm was needed to help people understand the complexity of the process.<\/p>\n
We are now faced with a socio-centric mechanistic paradigm, however, to survive on Earth, we have to adapt to an evolutionary ecosystemic paradigm. As individuals, we each must understand that we are shaping the future. Half of the responsibility lies with us, and the other half lies with the decision-makers. That is why we must develop understanding and a participatory way of thinking about the global society, to produce innovative technology.<\/p>\n
We now have fantastic tools to assist in understanding ecological processes \u2013 especially water-biota interplay, which can be translated into what is now called nature-based solutions or ecological engineering. Ecohydrology uses ecosystem properties as management, and this is the background of ERCE\u2019s mission and the development of this type of approach.<\/p>\n