The material presented in this book covers such diverse areas as shifts in precipitation patterns in a changing global climate, the implications for floods or drought, and considerations of managing water resources stressed by poor management practices, overexploitation, and climatic change. The originality of this work is that it brings together under one cover issues that are often otherwise dealt with in a mono-disciplinary manner, i.e. either through the physical sciences or through economic or social considerations. In this way, the book has an added value for scientists who wish to broaden their horizons and avenues of research.