CATHALAC: Coordinated research on hydrological processes in the humid tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The quest for coordination of hydrological research has led to the establishment of the "Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean" (CATHALAC; Spanish acronym). The Center stresses the essence of regional/international coordination and efficient use of resources available for research programs. Networks facilitate regional communication and provide the necessary support for governmental and nongovernmental institutions to cross (their) borders. CATHALAC has divided its program into eight programmatic areas of interest: "Air-Land-Sea Interactions", "Hydrological Process Studies", "Small Islands", "Integrated Urban Water Management", "Water Quality Control", "Water Resources Assessment, Management and Conservation", "Hydrology and Public Health", and "Knowledge, Information and Technology Transfer". Through CATHALAC several regional networks have been established that study regional hydrological processes and transfer knowledge: a) Trade Convergence Climate Complex, to study climate variability and its impact on socioeconomic activities; b) R-HydroNET, a hydrological data base accessible through the Internet; and c) Intra Americas Sea initiative dedicated to promote research on natural resources in coastal areas. To assure and promote exchange of knowledge and information related to these and other initiatives, International events are programmed for March 1999; Third Inter-American Dialogue on Water Management and the Second Colloquium on Hydrology and Water Management in the Humid Tropics.