Using publications in the Web of Science database (WoS), this study investigates the research collaboration on the top 95 most researched global river basins since 1900. The links of both the disciplines involved and the management issues studied between the biophysical, economic, societal, climatic and governance sub-systems of these river basins were examined. We found that research collaborations were dominated within the biophysical sub-system (65.3%) since the knowledge predevelopment period (1900–1983), with continuous increases (by 18.5%) during the rapid development (1984–2000) and the stabilisation (12.9% increase) (2001–2017). However, research collaborations related to the societal sub-system remained marginalised (varied at about 1%), while those related to the governance sub-system expanded in issues studied (32.8%) but were not supported by the core governance disciplines (3.4%). The key findings explained why global river basins are degraded from the perspective of knowledge development and they can assist the strategic planning and management of scientific research for improving governance capacity in modifying the relationship between human and nature on river basins in the Anthropocene. Tackling challenges in the Anthropocene requires transformation of the current pattern of knowledge development, a revolution in the governance of science.

本研究使用 Web of Science 数据库 (WoS) 中的出版物，调查了自 1900 年以来全球研究最多的 95 个流域的研究合作。所涉及的学科之间的联系以及研究的生物物理、经济、社会、对这些流域的气候和治理子系统进行了检查。我们发现，自知识预发展时期（1900-1983）以来，研究合作在生物物理子系统内占主导地位（65.3%），在快速发展（1984-2000）和稳定（12.9）期间持续增加（18.5%） % 增长）（2001-2017 年）。然而，与社会子系统相关的研究合作仍然处于边缘化状态（变化约为 1%），而与治理子系统相关的研究合作在所研究的问题上有所扩大（32. 8%）但没有得到核心治理学科的支持（3.4%）。主要研究结果从知识发展的角度解释了全球流域退化的原因，它们有助于科学研究的战略规划和管理，以提高治理能力，以改变人类世流域的人与自然关系。应对人类世的挑战需要转变当前的知识发展模式，这是一场科学治理的革命。主要研究结果从知识发展的角度解释了全球流域退化的原因，它们有助于科学研究的战略规划和管理，以提高治理能力，以改变人类世流域的人与自然关系。应对人类世的挑战需要转变当前的知识发展模式，这是一场科学治理的革命。主要研究结果从知识发展的角度解释了全球流域退化的原因，它们有助于科学研究的战略规划和管理，以提高治理能力，以改变人类世流域的人与自然关系。应对人类世的挑战需要转变当前的知识发展模式，这是一场科学治理的革命。