Water Resources management of coastal agricultural environments-resilience of climate impacts

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OF COASTAL AGRICULTURALENVIRONMENTS – RESILIENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS

S. Kotsopoulos1, S.E. Poulos2, A. Panagopoulos3, P.Nastos6, G. Skiannis2,

G. Ghionis2, I. Alexiou1, A. Ilias3, I. Matiatos2, V.Pisinaras3, K. Lazogiannis1,

G. Arampatzis3, E. Kosmidis4, I. Boskidis4 and I. Pappas5

1 Department of Civil Engineering, Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, GREECE ([email protected])

2 Laboratory of Physical Geography, Department of Geography and Climatology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, Athens, GREECE

3 Institute of Land Reclamation, ELGO-DIMITRA S.A., Industrialarea, 57400 Sindos, Thessaloniki, GREECE

4 DRAXIS S.A., 63 Mitropoleos Str., 54623Thessaloniki, GREECE 5 METRICA S.A., 88A Ginosati Str., 14452 Metamorfosi, Athens, GREECE

6 Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Geography and Climatology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupoli, Zografou, Athens, GREECE

Abstract The research project AGROCLIMA investigates theconsequences of climate change on coastal agriculturalzones (e.g. river deltas), the most wealth-producing butvulnerable coastal ecosystems. For the needs of the presentinvestigation the Pinios river delta (Thessaly-Greece) hasbeen selected as a case study. This deltaic plain is mostlycultivated supporting economically the local population,with its sustainability to be depended upon waterresources. The principal project’s objectives are: (a) thestudy of the natural processes controlling the formationand evolution of coastal lands (i.e. deltas), as a resultof the interaction of terrestrial, atmospheric and marineprocesses; (b) recording and evaluating the effects of

human interventions related to water resources (e.g.control of water-flow, over-pumping) for increasingagricultural yields; (c) quantified evaluation of theconsequences of the different scenarios of climate changeon the coastal agricultural environment (e.g. aquifersalinisation, water quality, desertification, coastalerosion); (d) investigation of the interaction betweennatural processes and agro-environmental parameters inorder to develop methodology/tools for the optimum use ofthe water resources; (e) evaluation of SustainableDevelopment Strategies for the natural deltaic system, inorder to mitigate the consequences of the climatic changeon agricultural environments; and, (f) training of newscientists in agro-environmental issues related to theimpact of climatic change on coastal environments. The aimsof the proposed project will be achieved through an inter-disciplinary and systemic approach that incorporates: (i)synergy of different specialties of sciences, (ii) use ofinnovative methodologies and (iii) proper mathematicalsimulations. Keywords: coastal land, agriculture, crop waterrequirements, irrigation, desertification, salinisation

INTRODUCTIONAgriculture is extremely vulnerable to climate change that

is related to changes in temperature, radiation, atmospherichumidity, wind speed that consequently affectevapotranspiration (Allen et al., 1998; Kotsopoulos et al., 2003);the latter most likely leads to reduced yields of desirablecrops. Moreover, Hellenic agriculture is entirely based onirrigation; therefore, it is utterly dependent on a tenuousbalance between the water supply (from the surface andgroundwater resources) and the crop water requirements. Thatbalance is mainly dictated by the climate, inasmuch as climatedetermines both the supply of surface and groundwaterresources and its evapotranspirational demand imposed by theatmosphere, the crop species as well as the applied irrigationmethods.

To facilitate adoption of water conservation, the

authorities should provide farmers with explicit guidanceregarding optimal crop selection, irrigation, andfertilization, and should institute strong incentives to avoidexcessive water use (including the often suggested but seldomimplemented pricing in agriculture). Modern irrigation methodsbased on the high-frequency, low-volume application of waterand fertilizers directly to the plants should be moreintensively adapted to the scale of operation and localpracticalities of farming.

Obviously, the most vulnerable to sea-level rise due toclimate change (IPCC, 2007) are the low-lying lands, e.g.river deltas where the soil surface is less than 1.0 m abovesea level (Ericson, 2006). From a societal perspective, thesix most important biogeophysical effects of climate changeare (Klein & Nicholls, 1999; Nicholls et al, 1999): (i)increasing flood-frequency, (ii) erosion; (iii) inundation;(iv) rising water tables; (v) saltwater intrusion; and, (vi)biological effects.

It is, therefore, of great importance for the nationaleconomy, to enhance the scientific knowledge into matters ofenvironmental monitoring and management of the effects ofclimatic change on the coastal agricultural lands, withemphasis to deltaic areas. The main scientific and technological objectives of this

project refer to: (a) the execution of a systemic analysis ofthe coastal agricultural environment of River Delta (Figure1), based on a description of the geological,geomorphological, physical, hydrogeological and coastaloceanographic active processes and their interaction withexisting and/or anticipated agricultural activities and/orother socio-economic activities; (b) built a dynamic expandingagro-database where the physical characteristics of theagricultural lands together with the various agriculturalpractices will be stored and dynamically managed; (c) monitorthe surface and groundwater availability on a seasonal basis;(d) develop an irrigation tool for the optimum use of theavailable surface and ground waters; (d) use this ‘system’description for a detailed assessment of the coastalagricultural land vulnerability (Kotsopoulos & Svehlik, 1995)

to future expressions of climate change (e.g. 2020-30, 2050-60and 2090-2100); and, (f) develop mitigating (resilience)strategies for the climatic changes and specifically for thehydro-geological consequences (salinisation, desertification)and land-loss due to sea-level rise, being applicable to otherGreek coastal agricultural lands.

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHThe implementation of the AGROCLIMA research project through

the systemic scientific approach of the various consequences of theclimatic change on deltaic plains incorporates innovativeapproaches such as: (a) the development of a coastlinevulnerability index in relation to the imminent sea-levelrise, (b) monitoring and simulating the salinisation ofcoastal aquifers in relation to agriculture water demand, (c)seasonal water balance in relation to agriculture and futureclimate conditions (for different climatic scenarios) and the(d) soil loss and desertification of coastal land.

Also, at the methodology and instrumentation level, a systemic-multi-parameter approach is being followed, associated withdifferent complementary scientific fields that include acombination of high-resolution geophysical methodologies,

Figure 1 The project area of Pinios riverdeltaic formation

collateral use of high resolution satellite images,development of simulation models for the climatic change,analysis of coastal hydrodynamics. As new innovative products couldbe considered (a) the development of environmental data baseintegrating earth surface processes – meteorological and waterresources data - climate change - agriculture activities; (b)the development and tested of an automated irrigation systemfor the optimum use of the available water (surface andground); and (c) development of a managerial environmentaltool dedicated to the resilience of climate change on thecoastal agricultural lands. For this reason, the past andpresent land uses and environmental conditions, thedevelopment of new methods and tools for the assessment of theconsequences of the climatic change and the related sea levelrise upon agricultural practices will be taken intoconsideration. Thus, the vulnerability of coastal agriculturallands in relation to climatic change concern the investigationof surface and groundwater resources, the retreat of coastlineand the relation between the various crop species and thewater requirements within the concept of changing climaticconditions (e.g. 2020-30, 2060-70 and 2090-2100).

Participating OrganisationsFor the implementation of the project, the research teams

of five organizations are participating, which are: 1. The Department of Civil Engineering Larissa, TEI of

Thessaly (former Department of Civil EngineeringInfrastructures, TEI of Larissa).

2. The Laboratory of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geologyand Geoenvironment, University of Athens.

3. The Land Reclamation Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA S.A. (formerNational Agricultural Research Foundation - NAGREF).

4. METRICA S.A., Precision Measurement Systems, Greece. 5. DRAXIS Environmental S.A.

Project’s structure The overall strategy, work plan and the methodology to be

followed is described in the following five main work packages(WP) and their tasks.

WP-1. Geo-environmental and Agricultural Database:It aims to register the geological, geomorphological,climatological and coastal oceanographic characteristics ofthe investigated coastal area (i.e. the Pinios river deltaicplain) in a functional, unified and updateable geo-database.In addition, the various agricultural activities and specificinformation/data regarding the surface and ground waterresources will also be collected and related to theaforementioned geo-database and the final objective will bethe development of a software package module which couldpotentially be used in different areas. It is subdivided intothe following tasks:1.1 Mapping of contemporary geomorphological & terrain features 1.2 Contemporary climatological and monitoring network of

meteorological conditions of the agricultural area and its adjacent coastal plain

1.3 Coastal oceanography and sediment dynamics of the coastal deltaic front

1.4 Land use mapping (agricultural activities, infrastructures works etc), with the use of remote sensing techniques

1.5Geo-environmental & agricultural data-baseWP-2. Hydro-geological and Geophysical Survey:The hydrogeological structure of the coastal agricultural landwill be based upon geophysical survey that will contribute in the determination of the subsurface geological/ stratigraphical information. That will be confirmed and verified of the analyses of shallow experimental boreholes. The survey will focus upon the identification of the non-permeable layer, the thickness of the aquifers and the fronts between fresh and saline groundwater. It incorporates four tasks:2.1 Geological regime of the deltaic plain2.2 Litho-hydro-stratigraphy of the River Pinios delta2.3 Quantitatively and qualitatively characteristics of ground water2.4 Investigation of the relation between surface/ground water

consumption according to agricultural activitiesWP-3. Water Resources of the study area:The scope is the identification of all the parameters thataffect the water yield of the agricultural coastal plain,

i.e. Pinios river delta. Their quantity and qualitymeasurements are required for the sustainable management ofthe area in relation to agricultural production. It includesthe following tasks:3.1Seasonal recording of the river discharge and correlation with

historical data 3.2Investigation of seasonal availability/consumption of surface

and groundwater related to agricultural activities3.3Simulation of the variability of chemical quality

(salinisation) in groundwater flow3.4 Pilot study of an automated irrigation system

WP-4. Appraisals & Proposals for Climate Change Resilience:The objective of this WP is the development of suitablemanagement schemes in order to increase the resilience of theagricultural environment, particularly of the coastalagricultural land, concerning the impact of climate changes,on the basis of previous WPs. It is subdivided into thefollowing six tasks:4.1Climate change scenarios4.2Consequences of atmospheric changes (rainfall, temperature) on

surface and groundwater resources 4.3Desertification of the coastal (deltaic) plain 4.4Study of the sea-level rise impact on the salinisation of the

coastal aquifer 4.5Consequences of climate change (sea-level rise, storm frequency)

in the evolution of the deltaic plain 4.6 Integrated impact (vulnerability) of climate change on crop yieldsWP-5. Exploitation and Diffusion of the ResultsThe purpose of this WP is the integration, scientificsynthesis and dissemination of the project results/products tothe scientific community, the wider public and the end-users.It includes the following tasks:5.1Integrated management of agricultural land in relation to current

and future fresh water availability 5.2Briefing of public, local communities and stake-holders 5.3 Scientific presentations and publications

EXPECTED RESULTS - BENEFITSThe contribution of this project to the national and local

economy is about the sustainable development of wealth-producing coastal agricultural areas that means optimal cropyields, in relation to available water resources andmitigation of the impacts of future climate change. Theproject could be considered as a pilot application for otherGreek coastal agriculture lands e.g. deltaic plainsrepresenting more than 4000 km2 of coastal land. Moreover,applications of the developed innovative tools could befurther utilised in other Mediterranean coastal areas.

The outcome of the proposed project could be implemented formatters related to the prosperity of the coastal population ingeneral; these are: Coastal agriculture: The interaction between land and sea

can lead to erosion of coastal lands and or salinisation ofthe aquifers, if it isn’t monitored and managed properly.

The knowledge of critical parameters regarding theseenvironmental systems (e.g. the use of fresh water) isenhanced by the proposed research, by expanding ourknowledge on natural processes and developing managerialtools in line with the European environmental legislationand in agreement with common international practices.

The development of operational irrigation method/tools andthe assessment of the impact of climate change in suchenvironmental sensitive coastal environments - prone todesertification, seawater intrusion, soil loss - will aidthe preservation of natural environmental resources.Additionally, such tools will support the sustainable use ofwater in accordance with the Directive 60/2000EU and the EUlegislation for the preservation of nature (directive92/43).

Relevant to the pilot study area (i.e. the delta of R.Pinios) through the bonding between the participatingresearch groups, the Prefecture of Thessaly and the localsociety, prospects for new jobs are reinforced through theunified approach of integrated management scenarios. Thus,local authorities will benefit from the better understandingof their coastal environment, the improvement of themonitoring infrastructure and the development and use of thenew management tools.

The project design includes a strong educational dimension,in the form of “long-life education” of the localprofessionals and general public and training of newscientists, at a postgraduate (MSc & PhD) and PostDoclevels.

The existing instrumentation of the participating researchteams will be improved and enriched, new methodologies andinnovative approaches will be developed and the researchersand students will gain hands-on experience in the design,development and use of state-of the-art instruments andtechniques.

Finally the expected benefits for the participant organizations are related to: strengthening of the cooperation between the participating

groups and the peripheral cooperators, so that, by coveringa variety of subjects related to the environmental study ofthe coastal agricultural lands (i.e. river deltas) and theassessment of environmental consequences from climatechange, they can dynamically claim national and/or Europeanprojects, referring to applied environmental research;

in training new scientists, which as a new specializedresearch/scientific capability will be able to claim, takeinto responsibility and successfully complete such projects,referring to further scientific or/and applied research and

in the pursuing cooperation, if not synergy, from themembers of the project with local population (e.g.municipality of Agia-Larissa) or research/ educationalconveyors (Laboratory of Physical Geography, TechnologicalEducational Institution of Thessaly) that provide directbonds with the job opportunities.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe project AGROCLIMA (11SYN_3_1913) is funded by the Action“Cooperation 2011-2015” of the Operational Program"Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship” co-funded by theEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the GeneralSecretariat for Research and Technology (Hellenic Ministry ofEducation).

REFERENCESEricson et al., 2006. Effective sea-level rise and deltas: Causes of change and human

dimension implications. Global and Planetary Change, 50(1-2), 63-82.IPCC, 2007. Summary for Policy Makers. In: Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science

Basis. Contributing of Working Group I to the Fourth assessment Report of theIntergovermental Panel on climate Changee. Solomon S., Qin D., Manning M., Chen Z.,Marquis M., Averyt K.B., Tignor M., and Miller H.L. (eds). Cambridge University Press, UK.

Klein R.J.T. and Nicholls R.J., 1999. Assessment of coastal vulnerability tosea-level rise. Ambio 28, 182-187.

Kotsopoulos S., Kalfountzos D., Alexiou I., Zerva G., Karamaligas C.and Vyrlas P., 2003. Actual evapotranspiration and soil moisture studies inirrigated cotton fields, European Water (e-bulletin of EWRA), Issue 3/4,pp. 22-28.

Kotsopoulos S. and Svehlik, Z., 1995. Risk of failure in irrigation systems: Itsestimation, Proc. of the EWRA 95 Symposium on Water Resources underDrought or Water Shortage Conditions, Nicosia, Cyprus, 1995, pp.243-250.

Nicholls, R.J., Hoozemans, F.M.J. and Marchand, M., 1999. Increasingflood risk and wetland losses due to global sea-level rise:Regional and global analyses. Global Environmental Change, 9, 69-87.