Progress in hydrological sciences:Past, present and future

The paper reviews and summaries the state-of-the-art,major progresses,and future perspectives in hydrological sciences.The study reveals that the societal need is the fundamental driving force and the advance in science and technology is the source for the development of hydrological sciences.In hydrological sciences,land surface hydrological processes should be investigated,as well as the water and energy exchanges among the atmosphere,land surface and groundwater.Physical processes of water transfer and movement should be investigated,as well as the chemical processes of different chemical compositions dissolved in the water.The study,in particular,the need for including the biological processes in hydrological cycle and water movement should be strengthened towards ecohydrology.At present,both ecohydrology and impact of climate change are very active in hydrological sciences under the changing environment.The theory of hydrological sciences should be further improved and developed.The socio-economic benefits of hydrological services should be enriched and strengthened in the future.Hydrological science could thus play an active role to support socio-economic development.