IWRA Executive Office

abstract 707

IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Author(s): Sevilay Topcu, Burak Sen, Filippo Giorgi, Xunqiang Bi, E. Galip Kanit, Tayfun Dalkilic
Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Sevilay Topçu, E-mail: stopcu@cu.edu.tr, Tel:0322- 3386903. Cukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, 01330 Adana/TURKEY

Keyword(s):

Article:

Poster:

Session: OS1a Mediterranean

AbstractThe recent development

in climate change forecast using global and regional climate models made it possible to provide more detailed

information on regional precipitation and temperature changes in face of global warming. Mediterranean countries, in

particular, are highly vulnerable to climate change regarding summer conditions, which are very pronounced with

severe warming and drying, and also from the side impacts such as more frequent extreme weather conditions,

increased floods and/or droughts. Additionally, global climate change causes lower and more erratic rainfall

combined with increased temperature, thus resulting in higher evaporation and water demand. Since agricultural

sector consumes about two thirds of all fresh water resources in the world, there is a strong concern over the

impacts of future climate changes on the water resources and agricultural production. Thus, it is important to provide

information on future regional changes in climate and possible scenarios and policy implications for the future. Present

study purposes to assess the regional impacts of climate change on agricultural water use. We used regional climate

model RegCM3 for the future (2070-2100) climate projection. In addition to effective rainfall, reference and actual

crop evapotranspiration rates, as well as net irrigation requirement in Seyhan River basin in southern Turkey have

been estimated. Results revealed that there is a decrease in effective rainfall consequently decline in water resources.

However a significant increase in irrigation requirement of crops is expected.

Events

The congress

Programme

Practical Infos

IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION