Nature Water Talks: Water observing and monitoring

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in water volume on a global scale, including oceans, inland waters, coastal waters, and frozen waters. The focus is on the SWOT framework as a tool for understanding the Earth's water system as a whole. By looking at the entire water supply chain across the planet, we can better predict disruptions and changes in the water cycle. This includes monitoring water sources, supply patterns in the ocean, and the consequences of water storage, sinking, and usage on land.

The paper reviews the current understanding of the global water cycle and emphasizes the importance of global observing systems in comprehending the Earth's water system and the impact of climate change. By tracing the movement of water from the ocean to land and back, researchers can gain insights into the physics of the Earth's water system and the effects of climate change.

The next section of the paper provides an overview of the global water cycle in relation to changes in hydrological patterns.