This presentation reports the main advances of the project titled “Integrated Assessment of Climate Impacts on Ecosystem Functions and Productivity of Critical-Zone Eco-Hydrology”- INTERACTION, funded by the Belmont Forum’s Collaborative Research Action (CRA). The project, involves international research team from Italy, Qatar, and the USA. It offers a novel approach to managing the environmental risks, climate change, and anthropogenic impacts on Water-Scarce Critical zones (WSCZ) combining scientific research with stakeholder engagement. To tackle this challenge, INTERACTION adopts a multi-disciplinary approach involving heterogeneous expertise ranging from environmental and socio-economics analysis, numerical modeling, soil and groundwater hydrogeology, and climate change modeling and assessment. More in detail, INTERACTION deals with coastal aquifers in arid and semi-arid regions affected by high population density, extensive groundwater usage, climate change impacts, and rising sea levels which result in groundwater quantity and quality degradation, salinization of agricultural soils, disruptions of coastal wetlands, and consequently ecosystem degradation. The long-term effects of anthropogenic activities on these systems are not yet fully understood, hindering their management. Traditional approaches tend to study the components of such a system in isolation, overlooking their nonlinear relationships. INTERACTION adopts a holistic perspective considering relationships among physical, anthropogenic, and socio-economic factors to provide more effective solutions for integrated management in water-scarce coastal areas. The Italian case study is focused on the Torre Guaceto protected wetland in Apulia, South Italy. In this area, soil and groundwater salinization issues exist mainly induced by the intensive agricultural activities in the surrounds, critically encroach upon the evolution of coastal wetlands and water management measures. The area is characterized by a dry sub-humid climate, but trends towards more arid conditions have been identified. The location, morphology, and hydrogeology of the area, together with the observed changes in the rainfall regime and overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation, explain the critical level of groundwater salinity. The unwanted scenario is a relevant water scarcity risk that may affect agricultural activities as well as wetland conservation. INTERACTION, through integrated monitoring of the main natural elements of the site, stakeholder involvement, and suitable system dynamics modeling carries out an in depth analysis of current and alternative land use and water management strategies to cope with the changing dynamics of water demand and supply and prevent further deterioration of groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Integrated assessment of climate impacts on ecosystem functions and productivity of critical-zone eco-hydrology: the Italian case study of the INTERACTION project
Caputo M. C.;De Carlo L.;Doveri M.;Giordano R.;Masciale R.;Menichini M.;Portoghese I.;Passarella G.
2024
Abstract
This presentation reports the main advances of the project titled “Integrated Assessment of Climate Impacts on Ecosystem Functions and Productivity of Critical-Zone Eco-Hydrology”- INTERACTION, funded by the Belmont Forum’s Collaborative Research Action (CRA). The project, involves international research team from Italy, Qatar, and the USA. It offers a novel approach to managing the environmental risks, climate change, and anthropogenic impacts on Water-Scarce Critical zones (WSCZ) combining scientific research with stakeholder engagement. To tackle this challenge, INTERACTION adopts a multi-disciplinary approach involving heterogeneous expertise ranging from environmental and socio-economics analysis, numerical modeling, soil and groundwater hydrogeology, and climate change modeling and assessment. More in detail, INTERACTION deals with coastal aquifers in arid and semi-arid regions affected by high population density, extensive groundwater usage, climate change impacts, and rising sea levels which result in groundwater quantity and quality degradation, salinization of agricultural soils, disruptions of coastal wetlands, and consequently ecosystem degradation. The long-term effects of anthropogenic activities on these systems are not yet fully understood, hindering their management. Traditional approaches tend to study the components of such a system in isolation, overlooking their nonlinear relationships. INTERACTION adopts a holistic perspective considering relationships among physical, anthropogenic, and socio-economic factors to provide more effective solutions for integrated management in water-scarce coastal areas. The Italian case study is focused on the Torre Guaceto protected wetland in Apulia, South Italy. In this area, soil and groundwater salinization issues exist mainly induced by the intensive agricultural activities in the surrounds, critically encroach upon the evolution of coastal wetlands and water management measures. The area is characterized by a dry sub-humid climate, but trends towards more arid conditions have been identified. The location, morphology, and hydrogeology of the area, together with the observed changes in the rainfall regime and overexploitation of groundwater for irrigation, explain the critical level of groundwater salinity. The unwanted scenario is a relevant water scarcity risk that may affect agricultural activities as well as wetland conservation. INTERACTION, through integrated monitoring of the main natural elements of the site, stakeholder involvement, and suitable system dynamics modeling carries out an in depth analysis of current and alternative land use and water management strategies to cope with the changing dynamics of water demand and supply and prevent further deterioration of groundwater dependent ecosystems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
