Connected and disrupted hydrosocial territories: the making of modern socionatures through inter-basin water transfers

Actual and projected water scarcity has accelerated the scale of hydrological infrastructure number Inter-Basin Water Transfers (IBWTs), which move freshwater from one geographically distinct river catchment or basin to another. IBWTs are supply-side programs that pose governance challenges. If all completed by 2050, volume transferred would be 48% global withdrawals. This article examines a socionatural perspective. Building on political ecology scholarship hydrosocial territories, I probe how IWBTs co-constitute reconfigure relations, these experienced communities ecologies in unequal ways. discuss bring about changes, what features territories they influence, conflicts emerge. For 29 define their multiple dimensions – biophysical, socioeconomic interrelations between them. generally degrade biophysical conditions for water-sending "donor" basins, condition future territorial reconfigurations. institutions ill-equipped take challenge governing across indicated generate. These concern defense territory ways life, as well allocation disputes. Political emerge because worlds shift irrevocably when become fixtures territories.