CATHALAC : a search for better understanding of 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 centre stresses regional and international coordination and cooperation to increase the output of the available resources for research programmes. The existence of a network facilitates regional communication and gives organizations, institutes and governmental authorities the necessary support to cross (their) borders. CATHALAC has, within the setting of the region, divided its programme into the following seven programme areas of interest: (a) air-land-sea interactions: (b) hydrological process studies; (c) small islands: (d) integrated urban water management; (e) water quality control; (f) water resources assessment, management and conservation; and (g) knowledge, information and technology transfer. Under the umbrella of CATHALAC, several regional projects have been initiated to study regional hydrological processes and to transfer knowledge.