A Risk-Based Assessment of Agricultural Water Scarcity Under Climate Change in a Semi-Arid and Snowmelt-Dominated River Basin
A Risk-Based Assessment of Agricultural Water Scarcity Under Climate Change in a Semi-Arid and Snowmelt-Dominated River Basin

Author: Hossam Moursi

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Water scarcity is the major challenge that water managers face in semi-arid areas, especially in regions that depend on agriculture for rural livelihood. Climate change is one of the major stresses that is expected to exacerbate water scarcity problems in semi-arid regions. In this study, a risk-based approach was used to assess the climate change impacts on the risk of agricultural water scarcity in semi-arid and snowmelt-dominated river basins that are dependent on agriculture. The Sevier River Basin, located in south central Utah, was used as the case study for this work. An agricultural water deficit index was proposed to represent the basin performance in terms of water supply and agricultural water demand. The basin's natural water supply was estimated using a semi-distributed tank model. FAO AquaCrop model was used to estimate the crop water requirements for major crops in the basin. The risk-based methodology begins using a vulnerability analysis to identify the system sensitivity to climate change. Sensitivity of system response to climatic variability was identified by establishing the climate response function, which is the relationship between basin agricultural water shortage and climate variables (i.e., precipitation and temperatures). The climate response function was then used to predict the basin agricultural water shortage in this century across four time slices using the projections of precipitation and temperature from downscaled and bias corrected GCMs outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The results of this study suggested that more natural water supply is expected in the Sevier River Basin due to the expected increase in precipitation during the future off seasons. However, projected temperature increases in the future may increase crop water requirements. It is also found that there is a high risk of unacceptable climate change impacts on agricultural water scarcity in the basin in the period 2025-2049 under RCP4.5 and for 2075-2099 under the RCP8.5 scenario, indicating climate change adaptation actions may be needed.

Hydrological Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas
Hydrological Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Author: Howard Wheater

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-11-22

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 1139468081

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Arid and semi-arid regions are defined as areas where water is at its most scarce. The hydrological regime in these areas is extreme and highly variable, and they face great pressures to deliver and manage freshwater resources. However, there is no guidance on the decision support tools that are needed to underpin flood and water resource management in arid areas. UNESCO initiated the Global network for Water and Development Information for arid lands (GWADI), and arranged a workshop of the world's leading experts to discuss these issues. This book presents chapters from contributors to the workshop, and includes case studies from the world's major arid regions to demonstrate model applications, and web links to tutorials and state-of-the-art modelling software. This volume is a valuable reference for researchers and engineers working on the water resources of arid and semi-arid regions.

The Arid Zones
The Arid Zones

Author: Hilton Kramer

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-07-05

Total Pages: 175

ISBN-13: 135148589X

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The hot and temperate deserts and their marginal steppe lands comprise one-third of the land surface of the world and are an increasingly critical area for the economic wellbeing of world populations. The remarkable mechanisms of floral, faunal, and human adaptation to the distinct and difficult environment of these arid zones, as well as the potential of modern technology for facilitating adaptation, are described and explained by Walton in the light of our most recent knowledge of the phenomena and processes involved.Beginning with a clarification of the definitions of arid and semi-arid regions and with the delineation of techniques for measuring the degree of aridity in these areas, the author shows that there is wide variation among the arid zones in landscape and climate and that there are numerous local and microclimates within any single arid region. The life cycles of the plants and animals of the arid zones are described and the water resources, including problems of salinity, mineral contamination, and the construction of reservoirs, are examined. Extensive treatment is given to potential agricultural adaptations and to pastoralism as the most widespread response to dry land. A final chapter summarizes attempts at adaptation to prevailing drought and discusses the kinds of future development that the author deems most likely in arid zones.Throughout the book emphasis is placed on specific, detailed analysis, with adequate tables and formulas for in-depth understanding of particular aspects of aridity. Examples from both Old and New Worlds are used to demonstrate the spheres in which progress is being made and to show the mistakes in past and present land use in arid areas. An essential supplement for courses in physical geography, the book will be useful in many area studies and in studies of economic development.

Groundwater Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas
Groundwater Modelling in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Author: Howard S. Wheater

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2010-09-09

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 1139489720

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Arid and semi-arid regions face major challenges in the management of scarce freshwater resources under pressures of population, economic development, climate change, pollution and over-abstraction. Groundwater is commonly the most important water resource in these areas. Groundwater models are widely used globally to understand groundwater systems and to guide decisions on management. However, the hydrology of arid and semi-arid areas is very different from that of humid regions, and there is little guidance on the special challenges of groundwater modelling for these areas. This book brings together the experience of internationally leading experts to fill a gap in the scientific and technical literature. It introduces state-of-the-art methods for modelling groundwater resources, illustrated with a wide-ranging set of illustrative examples from around the world. The book is valuable for researchers, practitioners in developed and developing countries, and graduate students in hydrology, hydrogeology, water resources management, environmental engineering and geography.

Water Resources in the Arid Realm
Water Resources in the Arid Realm

Author: Clive Agnew

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2024-04-03

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 1040006248

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Originally published in 1992, this book dispels some of the myths that surround water resource problems of arid lands and the notion that there are simple ‘once and for all’ solutions. Population growth, industrialization, environmental mismanagement and land degradation have led to droughts, poverty and famine with the result that the need for space, food and key natural resources such as water has become the most critical issue in global development. Nowhere is this crisis more apparent than in arid lands, where water resources provide the key to economic and environmental development. The authors argue that as the arid land environment is highly variable the key to success is flexibility. The book is divided into four sections, dealing with the geography of the arid realm; the water resource problems they face: the methods available for enhancing water supplies and finally, management of this resource. The book will be of use to undergraduate and postgraduate student and for those actively engaged in the development of arid land water resources.

Natural Resources And Development In Arid Regions
Natural Resources And Development In Arid Regions

Author: Enrique Campos-Lopez

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-03-08

Total Pages: 370

ISBN-13: 0429705069

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In this book, the authors integrate various perspectives on the evaluation of natural resources in arid and semiarid zones, analyze development options, and discuss systems analysis tools that could be important for the management of technology.

Arid Lands Water Evaluation and Management
Arid Lands Water Evaluation and Management

Author: Robert Maliva

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-06-09

Total Pages: 1068

ISBN-13: 364229104X

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A large part of the global population lives in arid lands which have low rainfall and often lack the water required for sustainable population and economic growth. This book presents a comprehensive description of the hydrogeology and hydrologic processes at work in arid lands. It describes the techniques that can be used to assess and manage the water resources of these areas with an emphasis on groundwater resources, including recent advances in hydrologic evaluation and the differences between how aquifer systems behave in arid lands versus more humid areas. Water management techniques are described and summarized to show how a more comprehensive approach to water management is required in these areas, including the need to be aware of cultural sensitivities and conditions unique to many arid regions. The integration of existing resources with the addition of new water sources, such as desalination of brackish water and seawater, along with reusing treated wastewater, will be required to meet future water supply needs. Also, changing climatic conditions will force water management systems to be more robust so that future water supply demands can be met as droughts become more intense and rainfall events become more intense. A range of water management techniques are described and discussed in order to illustrate the methods for integrating these measures within the context of arid lands conditions.