Modernization of new irrigated lands in a scenario of increasing water scarcity: from large reservoirs to small ponds

Jlassi, W.; Nadal‐Romero, Estela; García-Ruiz, J. M.

doi:10.18172/cig.2918

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The agrarian system is a complex open system that is made of two main sub‐systems and includes cultivated ecosystems and a productive social system (FAO, ; Mazoyer & Roudart, ; Vieira et al ., ; Xie et al ., ; Torres et al ., ) (Figure ). Agricultural systems around the globe continuously change as a result of enlarging trade blocks, globalization and liberalization, the introduction of novel agro‐technologies, changing societal demands, and climate change (Araya et al ., ; Alexander et al ., ; Galati et al ., ; Jlassi et al ., ). Parallel to the liberalization of global markets, the political ambitions devise those policies which aim to improve the sustainability (specially the soil quality) of agricultural systems in terms of economic viability, environmental soundness, and social acceptability, and to enhance the contribution of agricultural systems to the sustainable development of society and global ecosystems at macro level (van Ittersum et al ., ; Smith et al ., ; Keesstra et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dynamics of Agrarian Systems and Land Use Change in North Vietnam

et al. 2016

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During the period of socio-economic transformation initiated in the late 1980s by the political reform (Doi Moi) in Vietnam, the agrarian systems evolved considerably. In the region around the capital, where the process of industrialization, urbanization, and international integration has been accelerating, a number of questions about the sustainability of those agrarian systems have been raised. By diagnosing and analysing the dynamics of the agricultural systems in Vietnam from 1980 to 2010, this study aims to provide decision-makers with some sectorial and territorial policy options that are able to authorize the sustainable development of agriculture and rural society in the new socio-economic context. By applying a systematic approach, including the historical and adaptive approaches, this study shows how well farmers in the Hai Duong province have adapted to socio-economic and institutional changes, notably by transforming part of their paddy farms into other agricultural land use purposes, such as fish ponds, animal buildings, vegetable fields, and fruit orchards. These rapid changes, however, do not move in a direction that improves the sustainability of agrarian systems. The results revealed that farm holders are now facing many technical and economic contradictions, whereas issues that arise from the land no longer are only related to agricultural purposes. Competition for different functions of land use are now emerging, along with the fragmentation of plots, an imperfect land market, and rising property values are all emerging. The prospect of the sustainability of agricultural systems was also analysed under different scenarios, highlighting the complexity of policy options.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Dynamics of Agrarian Systems and Land Use Change in North Vietnam

et al. 2016

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“…In fact, the Mediterranean basin is considered a 'hot spot' on a global scale due to: (a) the scarcity of water resources (Giorgi, 2006); (b) climate change (increased temperatures, less snow accumulation and greater atmospheric evaporative demand; Gonzalez-Hidalgo et al, 2016;L opez-Moreno et al, 2008;Polade et al, 2017;Vicente-Serrano et al, 2014); and (c) the significant expansion of the vegetation cover during the last century (Chauchard et al, 2007;García-Ruiz & Lana-Renault, 2011;Sitzia et al, 2010;Vicente-Serrano et al, 2020;Vicente-Serrano & Heredia-Laclaustra, 2004). Water resources are a limitation for economic development in the Mediterranean basin and are an essential factor to satisfy the increasing needs of society, as a consequence of the increase in population, urbanization and living standards , the development of irrigated agriculture (Iglesias et al, 2011;Jlassi et al, 2016) and industrial and tourist activities (Morote et al, 2016;Rico-Amoros et al, 2009). Water resources in Mediterranean regions depend mainly on mountain areas, which act as 'moisture islands' in the middle of drier areas (de Jong et al, 2009;Immerzeel et al, 2020;Viviroli et al, 2011;Viviroli & Weingartner, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural revegetation and afforestation in abandoned cropland areas: Hydrological trends and changes in Mediterranean mountains

Khorchani

Nadal‐Romero

Lasanta

et al. 2021

Hydrological Processes

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Water resources availability is one of the main concerns for policy makers around the world in present and future management plans. In the Mediterranean basin, this concern is increased given the extreme variability in climate and the intrinsic aridity conditions. Water resources in the Mediterranean region depend mainly on surface and subsurface supply from mountain areas. Because evapotranspiration comprises a substantial portion of the water budget, recent land cover changes due to cropland abandonment may change transpiration (TRANS) and water supply. Therefore, land management plans must account for these potential hydrologic changes to guarantee water availability in the upcoming decades. Short-term changes to water yield have been shown to follow afforestation or natural revegetation, the main management strategies in abandoned cropland areas. Studies comparing long-term trends of these management practices, however, are scarce due to the lack of long-term hydrological data. In this study, we use the regional hydro-ecological simulation system (RHESSys), to analyse long-term changes and annual and seasonal trends in streamflow (STR) and transpiration following management of abandoned cropland areas. Annual mean values show significant differences between the three management scenarios for both streamflow and transpiration, while differences between climate scenarios are not significant. The Mann Kendall trend analysis shows significant changes to water yield compared to the situation before management. Depending on the total afforested area, afforestation could significantly decrease annual streamflow between 2.3%Ádecade À1 and 5.9%Ádecade À1 and increase annual transpiration between 1.1%Á decade À1 and 3.5%Ádecade À1 . These trends are attributed to changes during the first 30 years after management, while during the fourth and fifth decade, changes to water yield tend to stabilize or decrease. These results are substantial to optimize land management plans, ensuring sustainable hydrological and ecological ecosystem services.

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“…The quality and availability of water resources constitute one the most important environmental problems in many countries of the world (i.e., [1]). In the Mediterranean basin, water availability is scarce, with strong seasonal contrasts and most of the flows are produced in mountain rivers [2,3], while water demand is constantly increasing, especially in the lowlands, due to the growth in population and urbanization, the expansion of irrigated areas and greater water consumption of the industrial and tourism sectors [4][5][6]. García-Ruiz et al [7] indicated that Mediterranean countries are among the most under threat worldwide for water stress, due to high inter-annual and seasonal rainfall variability, revegetation processes and a predicted decrease in river flows in the coming decades.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Runoff and Solute Outputs under Different Land Uses: Long-Term Results from a Mediterranean Mountain Experimental Station

Nadal‐Romero¹,

Khorchani²,

Lasanta³

et al. 2019

Water

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Water availability and quality in Mediterranean environments are largely related to the spatial organisation of land uses in mountain areas, where most water resources are generated. However, there is scant data available on the potential effects of land use changes on surface water chemistry in the Mediterranean mountain region. In order to address this gap in the research, this study investigates the effects of various mountain Mediterranean land covers/land uses on runoff water yielded and water chemistry (solute concentrations and loads) using data from the Aísa Valley Experimental Station (Central Pyrenees) for a long-term period (1991–2011). Nine land covers have been reproduced in closed plots, including dense shrub cover, grazing meadows, cereal, fallow land, abandoned field, shifting agriculture (active and abandoned) and 2 burned plots (one burned in 1991 and the second one burned twice in 1993 and 2001). Results show that all solute concentrations differed among land uses, with agricultural activity producing significantly higher solute loads and concentrations than the other types. Two groups have been identified: (i) the lowest solute concentrations and the smallest quantities of solute loads are recorded in the dense shrub cover, the plot burned once (at present well colonized with shrubs), meadows and abandoned field plots; (ii) the plot burned twice registered moderate values and the highest solute concentrations and loads are found in cereal, fallow land and shifting agriculture plots. Water chemistry is clearly dominated by Ca2+ and HCO3− concentrations, whereas other solutes are exported in very low quantities due to the poor nutrient content of the soil. These results complete the information published previously on soil erosion under different land uses in this experimental station and help to explain the evolution of land cover as a consequence of shifting agriculture, cereal farming on steep slopes and the use of recurrent fires to favour seasonal grazing. They also suggest that promoting the development of grazing and cutting meadows is a good strategy to reduce not only soil erosion but also the loss of nutrients.

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Modernization of new irrigated lands in a scenario of increasing water scarcity: from large reservoirs to small ponds

Abstract: ABSTRACT. Large rainfed, dryland areas were transformed into irrigated land in northeast Spain

Cited by 11 publications

References 54 publications

Dynamics of Agrarian Systems and Land Use Change in North Vietnam

Dynamics of Agrarian Systems and Land Use Change in North Vietnam

Natural revegetation and afforestation in abandoned cropland areas: Hydrological trends and changes in Mediterranean mountains

Runoff and Solute Outputs under Different Land Uses: Long-Term Results from a Mediterranean Mountain Experimental Station

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