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Project

Strategies for increasing the WATer use efficiency of semi-arid Mediterranean watersheds and agrosilvopastoral systems under climate CHange (SWATCH)

Description:

The project aims to develop innovative methodologies to increase the social-ecological Water Use Efficiency of managed ecosystems along the Mediterranean biome in the face of drier and more extremes climates. It relies on 9 study sites (3 in Italy, 1 in Algeria, 1 in Cyprus, 2 in Tunisia, 1 in France, and 1 in Egypt), which cover a wide range of spatial scales, climate and ecosystems.

SWATCH objectives include:

  • monitoring of experimental fields and hydrological basins, addressing innovative methodologies for EvapoTranspiration (ET) measurements in typical heterogeneous Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral systems;
  • innovative eco-hydrologic monitoring approaches in ephemeral rivers along the Mediterranean biome and climate types;
  • acquisition of satellite images for the characterization of soil water balances and water use efficiency;
  • identify the impacts of contrasting vegetation and crop types on the soil water balance, surface runoff, and water use under current and past Mediterranean climates;
  • predict the impact of future climate scenarios on soil water balance, runoff, and water use;
  • develop a set of land cover change strategies for climate change scenarios that optimize the use of water resources and increase the resilience of agricultural and agrosilvopastoral systems.

The project objectives respond to common priorities on societal challenges of most of the international organizations dealing with the protection of the planet’s natural renewable resources and food security, which are enhanced due to the increase of human pressure and of climatic changes on fresh water. The project's economic impact will be significant for agricultural development and its sustainability since it will increase the system efficiency and decrease the overall costs. Stakeholders will be involved and will have a main role in the project. The project will provide to the stakeholders the scientific approach and results for defining the planning and management strategies for both current and future climates.

Project information

Lead

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture - University of Cagliari (UNICA), Sardegna - Italy

Partners

Sardinian Water Authority (ENAS), Italy;

Sardinian Forest Agency (Agenzia FORESTAS), Italy;

Higher National School of Hydraulics of BLIDA (ENSH), France;

Energy, Environment and Water Research - The Cyprus Institute (CYI), Cyprus;

Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt;

INRA– Bordeaux Sciences Agro research unit (UMR), France;

Ecole Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Tunis - Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia

Reference information

Websites:

Published in Climate-ADAPT Mar 31 2022   -   Last Modified in Climate-ADAPT Dec 12 2023

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