Water-related matters will be coming into scope at this year's Student World Water Forum Nov. 18-20 at the Joe Crowley Student Union at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Sudeep Chandra, associate professor in the Department of Biology in the College of Science, will deliver the keynote presentation, "Challenges and Successes in Conserving Water Quality and Species Diversity in the Developing World" at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20 in the Nell J. Redfield Auditorium in the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center.

More than 40 graduate and undergraduate students will present talks on the examination and investigation of local, regional and international levels of water-associated issues. Students from classes in the hydrologic sciences, limnology and international issues for water development will be participating.

The event will discuss serious issues such as particular water-related issues facing our world today. That includes global climate change, a severity in drought in many parts of the world and the continued need to balance urban, agricultural and ecosystem needs.

"The purpose of the event is to promote conversation between water science experts and the public that will ultimately leave the audience with a better understanding of the local and regional water issues being faced during these years of severe drought in Nevada," Laurel Saito, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences associate professor and faculty advisor, said.

The opening night, Wednesday, Nov. 18, "Let's Talk About Water," in the Student Union, will focus on issues involving the world's water supply. It is organized by Assistant Professor Adrian Harpold, along with the University's Ecohydrology Club and the Student Chapter of the Nevada Water Resources Association.

The Wednesday schedule includes a film presentation, "Last Call at the Oasis," followed by an expert panel discussing the drought in northern Nevada.

"The film tries to raise awareness by discussing the epic crises threatening the world's water supply," Saito said. "It is caused by agricultural overuse, growing development and global climate change."

The student presentations are scheduled 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20. Local water professionals and citizens of the Reno community will be in attendance.