Water Security for Ecosystems: Metrics and Pathways for a Sustainable Future

Water Security for Ecosystems: Metrics and Pathways for a Sustainable Future explores the mechanisms to support sustainable management of aquatic resources during rising global water demand, global change, and population growth. By identifying resource consumption indicators such as fishing load capacity and virtual water trade, it sets a clear framework for assessing the ecological footprint of extractive industries. It then proposes pathways to establish largescale water security via integrated aquatic resource management, water-efficient technologies, and sustainable policy intervention. Throughout, the book acknowledges the increased strain placed on global aquatic ecosystems due to unsustainable water use, extractive fisheries, agricultural practices, and more.

Written by a renowned team of water resource managers, early chapters in this book define ecological footprints and explore the global policies, industries, and climate forces driving water insecurity. Central chapters explore novel and innovative water conservation techniques, advances in water resource management, and emerging technologies for sustainable water use. Final chapters explore global water policies and the role of international cooperation and propose a roadmap for minimizing aquatic ecological footprints.

• Supports UN SDGs through policy integration, including the UNFCCC Paris Agreement to strengthen water security and minimize ecological footprints
• Defines water security concepts and provides indicators for sustainable water resource extraction and use
• Evaluates water surface sustainability with a new approach based on fishing load capacity
• Promotes sustainability via efficient water management, pollution control, and responsible consumption

Dr. Amit Kumar is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. He obtained his M.Tech and PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and conducted his postdoctoral research at Hohai University, China. Dr. Kumar’s research spans the ecological health of aquatic habitats, water quality modeling, and water security practices to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. He has published five books, including Elsevier’s Climate Change in the Himalayas, and is an advisory board member for the Elsevier journal Ecological Indicators.

Dr. Uğur Korkut Pata is an Associate Professor of Economics at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. He obtained his PhD from Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey, and his research focuses on the economics of sustainable development, carbon neutrality, and ecological footprint mitigation. Recent work investigated the determinants of load capacity to propose a fishing load capacity curve hypothesis for broad utility in environmental economics literature. He is an Associate Editor of the Elsevier journal Gondwana Research.

Dr Saikat Sinha Ray is an accomplished environmental engineer and academic, currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Sr.) in the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at SRM University, Andhra Pradesh, India. His expertise encompasses membrane technology, seawater desalination, and the development of self-cleaning and functional surfaces for advanced environmental applications. Dr. Ray earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan. He further strengthened his academic and research profile through postdoctoral research and a subsequent appointment as a Research Assistant Professor at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), South Korea, where he contributed significantly to advancements in membrane fabrication, nanocomposite materials, and next-generation water treatment technologies. His research has been published in leading international journals such as Desalination, Journal of Membrane Science, and Chemical Engineering Journal. His work on integrating artificial intelligence with water treatment systems and designing superhydrophobic membranes for enhanced desalination and separation processes has gained considerable recognition in the global scientific community. In addition to his research articles, Dr. Ray has made notable contributions to academic publishing through books and edited volumes, including conference proceedings. He has already published several books, including Sustainable Water Solutions: Proceedings of the Water Elixir Meet 2025, Water Security for Ecosystems: Metrics and Pathways for a Sustainable Future (July 1, 2026), and Sustainable Water Management (August 1, 2026), reflecting his commitment to disseminating knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue in water research. Beyond his scholarly output, Dr. Ray actively engages in editorial responsibilities, international collaborations, and academic event organization, further demonstrating his dedication to advancing innovative and sustainable solutions in environmental engineering and water resource management.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Himanshu is an Associate Professor and Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He obtained his M.Tech in Hydrology and PhD in Water Resources Development and Management from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and conducted postdoctoral research at Texas A&M University. Dr. Himanshu’s research focuses on the applications of generative AI, remote sensing, and modeling applications for climate-smart water management. His research has been funded by ADB, World Bank, UN-FAO, USDA, and other agencies to support agricultural and aquacultural sustainability, food security, and water security. He is a co-editor of the Elsevier book Advances in Remediation Techniques for Polluted Soils and Groundwater.