The Water Resources and Aquatic Ecosystems Research Group (GIRHA) is an interdisciplinary research team established to address the growing need to:

• Conduct scientific research aimed at mitigating biodiversity loss and the degradation of water quality and availability.
• Improve understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical cycles across diverse ecosystems.
• Develop ecohydrological monitoring systems.
• Advance knowledge on water governance, aquatic resources management, and water economics.

Research on water sciences in the Ecuadorian Amazon has traditionally focused on hydrology, climatology, water governance, environmental management, and biological monitoring, with comparatively less emphasis on aquatic ecology and ecosystem management. GIRHA seeks to contribute to the advancement of integrated water resources management throughout mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands by identifying knowledge gaps and generating high-quality scientific information on water quantity, quality, and availability to support sustainable development under changing demographic and socioeconomic conditions.

The group is affiliated with the Water Resources Engineering Program and the National Water Reference Laboratory at Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam.

GIRHA welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from diverse academic backgrounds to participate in research projects, internships, and pre-professional training.

The group is committed to responsible and inclusive research practices, promoting gender equity, equal opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, respect for Indigenous and traditional knowledge, and the highest ethical standards in scientific research. GIRHA rejects all forms of discrimination, including xenophobia, racism, misogyny, and other discriminatory practices.