Current state of Mediterranean water resources and future trends under climatic and anthropogenic changes

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_0ED8A827BADA
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Current state of Mediterranean water resources and future trends under climatic and anthropogenic changes
Journal
Hydrological Sciences Journal
Author(s)
Milano M., Ruelland D., Fernandez S., Dezetter A., Fabre J., Servat E., Fritsch J.-M., Ardoin-Bardin S., Thivet G.
ISSN
0262-6667 (Print)
2150-3435 (Electronic)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Volume
58
Number
3
Pages
498-518
Abstract
The Mediterranean basin has been identified as one of the world's regions most vulnerable to climatic and anthropogenic changes. A methodology accounting for the basin specific conditions is developed to assess the impacts of these changes on water resources. Based on global climate projections and water-use scenarios inspired by national reports, the current water stress state is addressed first and then it is explored for the medium term. Currently, the southern and eastern rims are experiencing high to severe water stress. By the 2050 horizon, this stress could increase over the whole Mediterranean basin, notably because of a 30-50% decline in freshwater resources as a result of climate change. In addition, under a business-as-usual water-use scenario, total water withdrawals are projected to double on the southern and eastern rims. These worrying trends indicate the need to develop mitigation scenarios. In accord with the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, an alternative water-use scenario based on improvements in the efficiency of water distribution networks and of irrigated agriculture is investigated. Such progress would stabilize total water withdrawals over the Mediterranean basin and even make them decrease (10-40%) in many northern catchments. Water stress could thus be tempered in some eastern catchments and remain low on the northern rim. This study highlights the importance of developing sustainable development strategies to cope with climatic and anthropogenic changes in order to explore their impacts at regional scales. It supports the need to focus on the most vulnerable areas within the Mediterranean basin.
Keywords
regional assessment, water stress index, climate scenarios, water-use scenarios, sustainable development strategies, Mediterranean basin
Open Access
Yes
Create date
12/12/2013 17:10
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:35
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