Future water-related risks and management options in the Mediterranean basin 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianela Fader ◽  
Carlo Giupponi ◽  
Selmin Burak ◽  
Hamouda Dakhlaoui ◽  
Aristeidis Koutroulis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Climate And Environmental Change ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Future ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

<p>The presentation will summarize the main findings of the chapter “Water”[1] of the report “Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future”. This report was published in November 2020 and prepared by 190 scientists from 25 countries, who belong to the scientific network “Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change”.</p><p>Water resources in the Mediterranean are scarce, unevenly distributed and often mismatching human and environmental needs. Approx. 180 million people in the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries suffer from water scarcity (<1000 m<sup>3</sup> capita<sup>-1</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>). The main water use is for agriculture, and more specifically on the southern and eastern rim. Water demand for both tourism and agriculture peak in summer, potentially enhancing conflicts in the future. Municipal water use is particularly constrained in the south and will likely be exacerbated in the future by demographic and migration phenomena. Northern countries face additional risks in flood prone areas where urban settlements are rapidly increasing.</p><p>Climate change, in combination with demographic and socio-economic developments, has mainly negative consequences for the water cycle in the Mediterranean Basin, including reduced runoff and groundwater recharge, increased crop water requirements, increased conflicts among users, and increased risk of overexploitation and degradation. These impacts will be particularly severe for global warming higher than 2°C.</p><p>Adequate water supply and demand management offers some options to cope with risks. Technical solutions are available for improving water use efficiency and productivity, and increasing reuse. Seawater desalination is increasingly used as adaptation measure to reduce (potable) water scarcity in dry Mediterranean countries, despite known drawbacks in terms of environmental impacts and energy requirements. Promising solar technologies are under development, potentially reducing emissions and costs. Reuse of wastewater is a solution for agriculture and industrial activities but also recharge of aquifers. Inter-basin transfers may lead to controversies and conflicts. Construction of dams contributes to the reduction of water and energy scarcities, but with trade-offs in terms of social and environmental impacts.</p><p>Overall, water demand management, which increases water use efficiency and reduces water losses, is crucial for water governance for a sustainable development. Maintaining Mediterranean diet or coming back to it on the basis of locally produced foods and reducing food wastes may save water but also carbon emissions while having nutritional and health benefits.</p><div><br><div> <p>[1] <strong>Fader M.</strong>, Giupponi C., Burak S., Dakhlaoui H., Koutroulis A., Lange M.A., Llasat M.C., Pulido-Velazquez D., Sanz-Cobeña A. (2020): Water. In: Climate and Environmental Change in the Mediterranean Basin – Current Situation and Risks for the Future. First Mediterranean Assessment Report [Cramer W, Guiot J, Marini K (eds.)] Union for the Mediterranean, Plan Bleu, UNEP/MAP, Marseille, France, 57pp, in press. Download</p> </div> </div>

scholarly journals Future changes in surface ozone over the Mediterranean Basin in the framework of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx)

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 9351-9373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Jaidan ◽  
Laaziz El Amraoui ◽  
Jean-Luc Attié ◽  
Philippe Ricaud ◽  
François Dulac
Keyword(s):  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Surface Ozone ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Ozone Precursors ◽  
Ensemble Mean ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. In the framework of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx; http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.fr, last access: 22 June 2018) project, we study the evolution of surface ozone over the Mediterranean Basin (MB) with a focus on summertime over the time period 2000–2100, using the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project (ACCMIP) outputs from 13 models. We consider three different periods (2000, 2030 and 2100) and the four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5) to study the changes in the future ozone and its budget. We use a statistical approach to compare and discuss the results of the models. We discuss the behavior of the models that simulate the surface ozone over the MB. The shape of the annual cycle of surface ozone simulated by ACCMIP models is similar to the annual cycle of the ozone observations, but the model values are biased high. For the summer, we found that most of the models overestimate surface ozone compared to observations over the most recent period (1990–2010). Compared to the reference period (2000), we found a net decrease in the ensemble mean surface ozone over the MB in 2030 (2100) for three RCPs: −14 % (−38 %) for RCP2.6, −9 % (−24 %) for RCP4.5 and −10 % (−29 %) for RCP6.0. The surface ozone decrease over the MB for these scenarios is much more pronounced than the relative changes of the global tropospheric ozone burden. This is mainly due to the reduction in ozone precursors and to the nitrogen oxide (NOx = NO + NO2)-limited regime over the MB. For RCP8.5, the ensemble mean surface ozone is almost constant over the MB from 2000 to 2100. We show how the future climate change and in particular the increase in methane concentrations can offset the benefits from the reduction in emissions of ozone precursors over the MB.

scholarly journals Analysis of Trade Flows of Ornamental Citrus Fruits and Other Rutaceae in the Mediterranean Basin and Potential for Xantomonas citri Introduction

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Timpanaro ◽  
Mariarita Cammarata ◽  
Arturo Urso
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Citrus Fruit ◽  
Citrus Canker ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Basic Scenario ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

In this study, we built a basic scenario for risk assessment of the introduction of Xantomonas citri (X. citri), an agent of bacterial citrus canker, through international trade activities. According to the international phytosanitary authority European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), X. citri is currently included in the European Union A1 list (quarantine pests not present in the area) of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO). Therefore, at the moment, to counter the spread of X. citri, some pest-specific phytosanitary requirements are foreseen in the case of citrus fruit commercial activities. One possible introduction route is through some ornamental Rutaceae, which are widely cultivated in Mediterranean countries, where they are economically important and have a social impact on the employees involved and the related industries. To assess the risk of introducing X. citri, we distinguished the import and export territories and the type of import material, and formulated a basic hypothesis linked to the positive correlation between commercial dependence on citrus imports from countries of the Mediterranean Basin and potential risk of invasion.

scholarly journals The MEDWATERICE project: Towards a sustainable water use in Mediterranean rice-based agro-ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna Facchi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Private Companies ◽  
Irrigation Methods ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Surface Drip Irrigation

<p>In the Mediterranean basin, rice is cultivated over an area of 1,300,000 hectares. The most important rice-producing countries are Italy and Spain in Europe (72% of the EU production; 345,000 ha), and Egypt and Turkey among the extra-EU countries (almost totality of the production; 789,000 ha). Traditionally, rice is grown under continuous flooding; thus, it requires more water than non-ponded crops. On the other hand, rice is strategic for food security in some countries such as Egypt, and human consumption in the whole Mediterranean is steadily increasing.</p><p>The MEDWATERICE project (PRIMA-Section 2-2018; https://www.medwaterice.org/), which started in April 2019, aims to explore the sustainability of innovative rice irrigation methods and technologies in the Mediterranean basin, in order to reduce rice water use and environmental impacts, and to extend rice cultivation outside of traditional paddy areas to meet the growing demand. The MEDWATERICE consortium includes universities, research centres and private companies operating in the Mediterranean area (IT, ES, PT, EG, TR, IL). Case studies (CSs) are implemented in pilot farms of the countries involved in the project. Tested alternative irrigation methods and technologies adopted in each CS are being tailored to local conditions using a participatory action research approach through the establishment of Stake-Holder Panels in each country, which include regional authorities, water managers, farmers’ associations and consultants, and private companies of the rice production chain. Irrigation strategies experimented in the pilot farms and compared to the continuous flooding (considered as the ‘reference’ irrigation method in all CSs), are: dry seeding and delayed flooding, alternate wetting and drying, lengthening of drying periods, reduction in irrigation inflow/outflow, hybrid irrigation, multi-nozzle sprinkler irrigation, surface and sub-surface drip irrigation, and waste-water reuse through sub-surface drip irrigation. For each irrigation solution, innovative technologies and the most appropriate rice varieties and agronomic practices are tested to minimize impacts of irrigation water reduction on yield quantity and quality. Data collected at the farm level are extrapolated to the irrigation district level to support water management decisions and policies. Indicators for quantitative assessment of environmental, economic and social sustainability of the irrigation options are also being defined. Outcomes produced by MEDWATERICE are expected to generate knowledge on how to improve sustainability of rice production in the countries of the Mediterranean area, with particular attention to the adoption of water-saving techniques.</p><p>During the conference, approaches and methodologies adopted and developed within the project, and results obtained so far will be presented, with particular attention to the experimentation conducted in the pilot farms, to the methods for the upscaling the achievements to the irrigation district scale, and to the set of indicators for quantifying economic, environmental and social sustainability of irrigation methods and technologies currently under definition.</p>

scholarly journals Future changes in surface ozone over the Mediterranean basin in the framework of the Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment (ChArMEx)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Jaidan ◽  
Laaziz El Amraoui ◽  
Jean-Luc Attié ◽  
Philippe Ricaud ◽  
François Dulac
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Surface Ozone ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Ensemble Mean ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Surface O3 ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. In the framework of the Chemistry and Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment project (ChArMEx, http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.fr), we study the evolution of surface ozone (O3) over the Mediterranean Basin (MB) with a focus on summertime over the time period 2000–2100, using the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project (ACCMIP) outputs from 11 models. We consider three different periods (2000, 2030 and 2100) and the four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5) to study the changes in the future ozone trend and its budget. We use a statistical approach to compare and discuss the results of the models. We discuss the behavior of the models that simulate the surface O3 over the MB. The ensemble mean of ACCMIP models simulates very well the annual cycle of surface O3. Compared to measured summer surface O3 datasets, we found that most of the models overestimate surface O3 and underestimate its variability over the most recent period (1990–2010) when independent observations are available. Compared to the reference period (2000), we found a net decrease in the ensemble mean surface O3 over the MB in 2030 (2100) for 3 RCPs: −13 % (−36 %) for RCP2.6, −7 % (−22 %) for RCP4.5 and −11 % (−33 %) for RCP6.0. The surface O3 decrease over the MB for these scenarios is much more pronounced than the relative changes of the tropospheric ozone burden. This is mainly due to the reduction in O3 precursors and to the NOx-limited regime over the MB. For the RCP8.5, the ensemble mean surface O3 is almost constant over the MB from 2000 to 2100. We show how the future climate change and the increase in CH4 concentrations can offset the benefit of the reduction in emissions of O3 precursors over the MB.

scholarly journals Economic costs of invasive alien species in the Mediterranean basin

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 427-458
Author(s):  
Melina Kourantidou ◽  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Phillip J. Haubrock ◽  
Ana Novoa ◽  
Nigel G. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Socioeconomic Variables ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Invasive alien species (IAS) negatively impact the environment and undermine human well-being, often resulting in considerable economic costs. The Mediterranean basin is a culturally, socially and economically diverse region, harbouring many IAS that threaten economic and societal integrity in multiple ways. This paper is the first attempt to collectively quantify the reported economic costs of IAS in the Mediterranean basin, across a range of taxonomic, temporal and spatial descriptors. We identify correlates of costs from invasion damages and management expenditures among key socioeconomic variables, and determine network structures that link countries and invasive taxonomic groups. The total reported invasion costs in the Mediterranean basin amounted to $27.3 billion, or $3.6 billion when only realised costs were considered, and were found to have occurred over the last three decades. Our understanding of costs of invasions in the Mediterranean was largely limited to a few, primarily western European countries and to terrestrial ecosystems, despite the known presence of numerous high-impact aquatic invasive taxa. The vast majority of costs were attributed to damages or losses from invasions ($25.2 billion) and were mostly driven by France, Spain and to a lesser extent Italy and Libya, with significantly fewer costs attributed to management expenditure ($1.7 billion). Overall, invasion costs increased through time, with average annual costs between 1990 and 2017 estimated at $975.5 million. The lack of information from a large proportion of Mediterranean countries, reflected in the spatial and taxonomic connectivity analysis and the relationship of costs with socioeconomic variables, highlights the limits of the available data and the research effort needed to improve a collective understanding of the different facets of the costs of biological invasions. Our analysis of the reported costs associated with invasions in the Mediterranean sheds light on key knowledge gaps and provides a baseline for a Mediterranean-centric approach towards building policies and designing coordinated responses. In turn, these could help reach socially desirable outcomes and efficient use of resources invested in invasive species research and management.

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