IWRA Proceedings

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.