On doing hydrology with dragons: Realizing the value of perceptual models and knowledge accumulation

Our ability to fully and reliably observe simulate the terrestrial hydrologic cycle is limited, in-depth experimental studies cover only a tiny fraction of our landscape. On medieval maps, unexplored regions were shown as images dragons—displaying fear unknown. With time, cartographers dared leave such areas blank, thus inviting explorations what lay beyond edge current knowledge. In hydrology, we are still in phase where maps variables more likely contain dragons than blank areas, which would acknowledge lack extrapolate well developed, it poor? Where available data sets informative, they just poor approximations system properties? How do best identify these gaps better understand reduce uncertainty characterizing systems? The accumulation knowledge has been postulated fundamental mark scientific advancement. an effective strategy for community, insufficiently focus on highlighting exist. We propose two strategies rectify deficiencies. Firstly, use open shared perceptual models develop, debate, test hypotheses. Secondly, improved hydrology through stronger extraction integration from peer-reviewed articles. latter should include metadata tag journal articles complemented by common hydro-meteorological database that enable searching, organizing analyzing previous hydrologically meaningful manner. This article categorized under: Engineering Water > Planning Science Hydrological Processes Methods