Water Scarcity and Water Stress in Agriculture

2013 ◽  
pp. 75-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrijel Ondrasek
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Scarcity

scholarly journals How downstream sub-basins depend on upstream inflows to avoid scarcity: typology and global analysis of transboundary rivers

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2795-2809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafsa Ahmed Munia ◽  
Joseph H. A. Guillaume ◽  
Naho Mirumachi ◽  
Yoshihide Wada ◽  
Matti Kummu
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Available Water

Abstract. Countries sharing river basins are often dependent upon water originating outside their boundaries; meaning that without that upstream water, water scarcity may occur with flow-on implications for water use and management. We develop a formalisation of this concept drawing on ideas about the transition between regimes from resilience literature, using water stress and water shortage as indicators of water scarcity. In our analytical framework, dependency occurs if water from upstream is needed to avoid scarcity. This can be diagnosed by comparing different types of water availability on which a sub-basin relies, in particular local runoff and upstream inflows. At the same time, possible upstream water withdrawals reduce available water downstream, influencing the latter water availability. By developing a framework of scarcity and dependency, we contribute to the understanding of transitions between system regimes. We apply our analytical framework to global transboundary river basins at the scale of sub-basin areas (SBAs). Our results show that 1175 million people live under water stress (42 % of the total transboundary population). Surprisingly, the majority (1150 million) of these currently suffer from stress only due to their own excessive water use and possible water from upstream does not have impact on the stress status – i.e. they are not yet dependent on upstream water to avoid stress – but could still impact on the intensity of the stress. At the same time, 386 million people (14 %) live in SBAs that can avoid stress owing to available water from upstream and have thus upstream dependency. In the case of water shortage, 306 million people (11 %) live in SBAs dependent on upstream water to avoid possible shortage. The identification of transitions between system regimes sheds light on how SBAs may be affected in the future, potentially contributing to further refined analysis of inter- and intrabasin hydro-political power relations and strategic planning of management practices in transboundary basins.

scholarly journals Modelling global water stress of the recent past: on the relative importance of trends in water demand and climate variability

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 3785-3808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wada ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek ◽  
M. F. P. Bierkens
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Global Population

Abstract. During the past decades, human water use has more than doubled, yet available freshwater resources are finite. As a result, water scarcity has been prevalent in various regions of the world. Here, we present the first global assessment of past development of water stress considering not only climate variability but also growing water demand, desalinated water use and non-renewable groundwater abstraction over the period 1960–2001 at a spatial resolution of 0.5°. Agricultural water demand is estimated based on past extents of irrigated areas and livestock densities. We approximate past economic development based on GDP, energy and household consumption and electricity production, which are subsequently used together with population numbers to estimate industrial and domestic water demand. Climate variability is expressed by simulated blue water availability defined by freshwater in rivers, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs by means of the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB. We thus define blue water stress by comparing blue water availability with corresponding net total blue water demand by means of the commonly used, Water Scarcity Index. The results show a drastic increase in the global population living under water-stressed conditions (i.e. moderate to high water stress) due to growing water demand, primarily for irrigation, which has more than doubled from 1708/818 to 3708/1832 km3 yr−1 (gross/net) over the period 1960–2000. We estimate that 800 million people or 27% of the global population were living under water-stressed conditions for 1960. This number is eventually increased to 2.6 billion or 43% for 2000. Our results indicate that increased water demand is a decisive factor for heightened water stress in various regions such as India and North China, enhancing the intensity of water stress up to 200%, while climate variability is often a main determinant of extreme events. However, our results also suggest that in several emerging and developing economies (e.g. India, Turkey, Romania and Cuba) some of past extreme events were anthropogenically driven due to increased water demand rather than being climate-induced.

scholarly journals Evaluation of some pepper genotypes as rootstocks in water stress conditions

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 192-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Penella ◽  
S.G. Nebauer ◽  
S. López-Galarza ◽  
A. SanBautista ◽  
A. Rodríguez-Burruezo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Net Photosynthetic Rate ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Photosynthetic Parameters ◽  
Crop Varieties ◽  
Severe Water Stress ◽  
Pepper Cultivar ◽  
Grafting Onto

 Water stress is a major environmental factor that limits crop production and it is important to develop crop varieties with higher yield under water scarcity. Increased pepper tolerance to water stress through grafting onto robust rootstocks could be an optimal alternative in the context of environmentally friendly agriculture. Our work evaluated the behaviour of 18 pepper genotypes during vegetative and reproductive stages under water stress in order to select tolerant genotypes to be used as rootstocks for pepper cultivation. The pepper tolerance screening was based on photosynthetic parameters. The genotypes Atlante, C-40, Serrano, PI-152225, ECU-973, BOL-58 and NuMex Conquistador were revealed as the most tolerant genotypes to water stress because they maintained net photosynthetic rate levels under water stress conditions. The selected genotypes were validated as rootstocks on a pepper cultivar in terms of productivity under severe water stress. Plants grafted onto cvs Atlante, PI-152225 and ECU-973 showed higher marketable yields when compared with ungrafted cultivar.  

Assessment of vulnerability of river basins in Ghana to water stress conditions under climate change

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 276-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Obuobie ◽  
Kwabena Kankam-Yeboah ◽  
Barnabas Amisigo ◽  
Yaw Opoku-Ankomah ◽  
Deborah Ofori
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Basin Surface

The Falkenmark indicator was used to assess vulnerability of the White Volta (106,000 km2) and Pra (20,023 km2) river basins in Ghana to water stress under climate change for the periods 2006–2035 (representing the 2020s) and 2036–2065 (2050s). The indicator is a commonly used measure of water stress and defines thresholds of 1,700, 1,000 and 500 m3/capita/annum as water stress, water scarcity and absolute scarcity, respectively. Downscaled data from ensemble averages of two global climate models, ECHAM4 and CSIRO, were used to drive the Soil and Water Assessment Tool for estimation of basin surface water resources under climate change. The simulated water resources in the two basins showed significant reduction of 22% for 2020. Further reductions were estimated for 2050 (50% and 46% for the White Volta and Pra, respectively). Without climate change, the White Volta basin will attain water stress and water scarcity by 2020 and 2050, respectively; the Pra is already water stressed and expected to worsen to water scarcity by 2020 and absolute scarcity by 2050. Climate change will aggravate the conditions in both basins. Implementation of integrated water resources management and population control measures are recommended for sustainable use and management of water resources in both basins.

scholarly journals Organic Matter and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application to Sustain Maize Growth under Water Stress Condition in Calcareous Soil

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Sri Rahayu Utami ◽  
H. Rohmawatia ◽  
W. J. N. Kumalontang ◽  
Sugeng Prijono
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Stress Condition ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Tithonia Diversifolia ◽  
Maize Growth ◽  
Water Stress Condition ◽  
P Fertilizer

Crop growth is normally rather limited in calcareous soils, due to the low phophorus availability and water scarcity. Organic matter (OM) is commonly applied to reduce P fixation, as also improving other nutrients content and water availability in the soil.  Since calcareous soils often encounter water scarcity especially in dry period, the effectiveness of OM under water stress condition is still interesting to study. An incubation experiment was conducted to study the effect of water stress, P-fertilizer and organic matter application on P-uptake and maize growth in calcareous soil. Soil samples used for this study, were taken from 0-20 cm depth, in Pagak, South Malang, East Java. A complete randomized design was used, with 3 factors and 3 replications. Factor 1 was consisted of 3 water stress level, i.e no stress (S0), slightly stress (S1), and moderately stress (S2). Factor 2 was consisted of 2 Phosphorus level: with (200 kg SP36 per Ha). and without P-fertilizer. Factor 3 was OM application (12 Mg Ha-1), i.e. without OM (B0), Tithonia diversifolia (B1), Gliricidia sepium (B2), and combination of Tithonia diversifolia and Gliricidia sepium (B3).Soil samples were added with fertilizer and organic matter, and incubated within 2 weeks. Water stress treatment were conducted after incubation period. Phosphorus availability (P-Olsen and P-labile) in the soil was measured at 0, 28, and 56 day after planting (dap). Crop height was measured at 14, 28, 42, and 56 dap. Whereas P-uptake and biomass dry weight were measured at 56 dap. The results showed that OM application increased P-uptake, crop height and biomass dry weight. The effect was slightly improved by P-fertilizer application, but decreased as the water stress level increased. With or without P fertilizer, Tithonia diversifolia was more effective than Gliricidia sepium, when water was sufficient. At slightly water stress condition, the different between the two OM sources became less significant, especially when P fertilizer was added. Under moderately water stress condition, application of OM and P-fertilizer had no significant impact on maize growth. Keywords: P-availability;P-uptake; sustainable agriculture; water scarcity.

scholarly journals THE GEOPOLITICAL AND GEOSTRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF WATER RESOURCES TOWARDS THE TWENTY-SECOND CENTURY: A LOOK AT TODAY'S WORLD CONFRONTING WATER PROBLEMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (60) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
International System ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Second Century ◽  
International Level ◽  
The World ◽  
Water Problems ◽  
Day By Day ◽  
System Water

Around the world, water stress, water scarcity and desertification problems due to water scarcity are increasing day by day. At the international level, international organizations draw attention to these problems, actions are recommended, and efforts are made to resolve them. The objective of this study is to assess the adequacy of measures and efforts at the international level to solve the problems of water, source of life for humanity and nature, which have a geopolitical and geostrategic importance. To this end, the importance of water was underlined, and the chronology of studies initiated at international level on water stress problems were given. Despite important initiatives undertaken internationally, in the study, water stress, which is intensely felt in some parts of the world, was visualized using maps. From the results obtained in the study, it seems that the studies carried out in the fight against the lack of water are limited to superficial measures and main recommendations rather than an effective solution. Keywords: Water stress, water scarcity, lack of water, international system, water economy, water management, water political economy

scholarly journals Modelling global water stress of the recent past: on the relative importance of trends in water demand and climate variability

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 7399-7460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Wada ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek ◽  
M. F. P. Bierkens
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Climate Variability ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Groundwater Abstraction ◽  
The Past ◽  
Global Population

Abstract. During the past decades, human water use more than doubled, yet available freshwater resources are finite. As a result, water scarcity has been prevalent in various regions of the world. Here, we present the first global assessment of past development of water scarcity considering not only climate variability but also growing water demand, desalinated water use and non-renewable groundwater abstraction over the period 1960–2001 at a spatial resolution of 0.5°. Agricultural water demand is estimated based on past extents of irrigated areas and livestock densities. We approximate past economic development based on GDP, energy and household consumption and electricity production, which is subsequently used together with population numbers to estimate industrial and domestic water demand. Climate variability is expressed by simulated blue water availability defined by freshwater in rivers, lakes and reservoirs by means of the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB. The results show a drastic increase in the global population living under water-stressed conditions (i.e., moderate to high water stress) due to the growing water demand, primarily for irrigation, which more than doubled from 1708/818 to 3708/1832 km3 yr−1 (gross/net) over the period 1960–2000. We estimate that 800 million people or 27 % of the global population were under water-stressed conditions for 1960. This number increased to 2.6 billion or 43 % for 2000. Our results indicate that increased water demand is the decisive factor for the heightened water stress, enhancing the intensity of water stress up to 200 %, while climate variability is often the main determinant of onsets for extreme events, i.e. major droughts. However, our results also suggest that in several emerging and developing economies (e.g., India, Turkey, Romania and Cuba) some of the past observed droughts were anthropogenically driven due to increased water demand rather than being climate-induced. In those countries, it can be seen that human water consumption is a major factor contributing to the high intensity of major drought events.

scholarly journals Estimation of Water Stress on Rice Crop Using Ecological Parameters.

2019 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saifullah ◽  
Bilal Islam ◽  
Saif-ul Rehman ◽  
Muhmmad Shoaib ◽  
Ehsan ul Haq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Water Stress ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Sensible Heat Flux ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Rice Crop ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Sensible Heat ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Ecological Parameters

About half of world’s population intake rice as a staple food. As being water baby, rice need surplus of water to get targeted yield. Water scarcity has become a global issue therefore it has become a need to enhance the rice yield with reduced amount of water. In this research we used ecological parameters e.g., temperature, pressure, actual vapor pressure, sunshine hours and the extraterrestrial radiation to compute net radiations, ground and sensible heat fluxes on daily basis. Net shortwave radiations were observed as 23087 w/m2 in comparison to net longwave radiations which were 4387 w/m2 for the complete Rice Growth Period (RGP). The soil heat flux Go was observed as 3104 w/m2. Go was observed dependent upon the Leaf Area Index (LAI) with inverse relationship between them. Sensible heat flux (H) was measured as 1771 w/m2 throughout the RGP. H was observed dependent upon net radiations with a direct relationship between them. Rn, Go and H were used as input parameters to compute water stress which determines the excess of water in early growth stages of rice crop and water scarcity in the ripening stage. The flow of methodology is easily applicable at domestic level to determine water stress in rice fields.

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