Water management in drylands in a scenario of uncertainty due to climate change

Authors

  • Robert Savé Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui
  • David Comino Unitat Tècnica, Departament de Concessions, Agència Catalana de l’Aigua (ACA), Barcelona
  • Felicidad de Herralde Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Caldes de Montbui
  • Carlos Cantero-Martínez Departament de Producció Vegetal i Ciència Forestal, Universitat de Lleida (UdL), Lleida

Keywords:

rainfed crops, water requirements, groundwater, soil management, adaptation.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of the rainfed farming area in Catalonia (71% of the total cultivated land) and its vulnerability to climate change, especially with regard to water needs. Agronomic practices, including the latest technological innovations, and a good selection of the plant material to be cultivated are and will be the foremost tools for maintaining these cultivation systems. We discuss whether a possible transformation to irrigation would not be feasible due to insufficient water sources (groundwater or reclaimed water) in terms of quality or quantity, and to the increased demand of water for non-agricultural uses. It should also be borne in mind that drylands are a source of ecosystem services whose value goes beyond crop productivity alone. Consequently, drylands should be valued and enhanced, and progress should be made in adapting them to the climatic conditions of the coming decades, paying special attention to the management of soil and available water to ensure production standards that are more qualitative than quantitative in nature.

KEYWORDS: rainfed crops, water requirements, groundwater, soil management, adaptation.

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Issue

No. 50: juny 2021 : número especial

Section

Articles

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