The institute or center established under Section 9-8-1 shall be subject to the management and control of the trustees and President of Auburn University, and its programs shall be coordinated with the Geological Survey of Alabama. It shall be the duty of the institute or center to stimulate, plan and conduct original research, investigations or experiments of either a basic or practical nature, or both, in relation to water resources, including but not limited to aspects of the hydrological cycle; supply and demand for water; conservation and best use of available supply; methods of increasing such supply; and agricultural, biological, ecological, economic, engineering, geographic, industrial, legal, recreational, social and other aspects of water problems. The results of the research conducted by the institute or center shall be reported or published in such manner and at such times as the director of the institute may consider suitable and appropriate.