Difference between revisions of "Reduce surface water abstraction without return"
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Reduce surface water abstraction without return01. Water flow quantity improvement | Reduce surface water abstraction without return01. Water flow quantity improvement | ||
==General description == | ==General description == | ||
| − | Reducing surface water abstraction without return refers mainly to reductions in water abstraction for agriculture and domestic consumption. We have to distinguish between agriculture without water returns (that uses the water with the maximum efficiency, according to the water needs of the crop) and agriculture with water returns, due to a generous use of water | + | Reducing surface water abstraction without return refers mainly to reductions in water abstraction for agriculture and domestic consumption. We have to distinguish between agriculture without water returns (that uses the water with the maximum efficiency, according to the water needs of the crop) and agriculture with water returns, due to a generous use of water higher than the real water needs of the crop, or inappropriate irrigation techniques. |
| + | Direct measures for reduce surface water abstraction without return could be: | ||
| + | :*Using better adapted crops to the climatic and water availability conditions. The Ecocrop website (FAO) gives useful information for environmental conditions and crop requirements: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home | ||
| + | :*Using combination of crops that give the same benefits with lower water consumption. For example, replacing the monoculture of cotton by cotton and fodder crops for livestock production was tested in Texas High Plains to reduce the pressure over the Ogallala aquifer (Allen et al., 2005) | ||
| + | :*Increase irrigation efficiency by employing the best technology available, fixing water channel and pipes to reduce water loss. Replacing traditional irrigation techniques with low irrigation efficiency when possible (e.g. gravity drainage has a global efficiency of 40-50 % and localized irrigation a global efficiency around 70 – 80 %)<ref>Agricultural irrigation efficiency. Agencia Catalana del Agua. [http://aca-web.gencat.cat/aca/appmanager/aca/aca?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=P1400026681236618303483&profileLocale=es]</ref> or employ these techniques in an optimum way (e.g. in furrow irrigation consider the most suitable slope, furrow length, flow quantity and soil character to reduce drain and percolation and furrow irrigation | ||
| + | :*Employing best agricultural practices to reduce water loss by evaporation (e.g. mulching, soil tillage, windbreaks). | ||
| + | :*Supply the crops according to their specific water needs. In rainfed farming systems deficit irrigation can provide maximum water use efficiency (WUE) taking into account other factors like sowing date, Nitrogen supply and supplement irrigation level. Maximizing crop production doesn´t necessary maximize the returns per water volume unit. (Oweis et al., 2000). | ||
| + | :*Considering land expropriation and the payment of compensations or environmental services for reducing agricultural surface, especially in zones with overexploitation of the resources. | ||
==Applicability == | ==Applicability == | ||
Revision as of 17:25, 22 July 2010
Contents
- 1 Reduce surface water abstraction without return
- 1.1 General description
- 1.2 Applicability
- 1.3 Expected effect of measure on (including literature citations):
- 1.4 Temporal and spatial response
- 1.5 Pressures that can be addressed by this measure
- 1.6 Cost-efficiency
- 1.7 Case studies where this measure has been applied
- 1.8 Useful references
- 1.9 Other relevant information
Reduce surface water abstraction without return
Reduce surface water abstraction without return01. Water flow quantity improvement
General description
Reducing surface water abstraction without return refers mainly to reductions in water abstraction for agriculture and domestic consumption. We have to distinguish between agriculture without water returns (that uses the water with the maximum efficiency, according to the water needs of the crop) and agriculture with water returns, due to a generous use of water higher than the real water needs of the crop, or inappropriate irrigation techniques. Direct measures for reduce surface water abstraction without return could be:
- Using better adapted crops to the climatic and water availability conditions. The Ecocrop website (FAO) gives useful information for environmental conditions and crop requirements: http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
- Using combination of crops that give the same benefits with lower water consumption. For example, replacing the monoculture of cotton by cotton and fodder crops for livestock production was tested in Texas High Plains to reduce the pressure over the Ogallala aquifer (Allen et al., 2005)
- Increase irrigation efficiency by employing the best technology available, fixing water channel and pipes to reduce water loss. Replacing traditional irrigation techniques with low irrigation efficiency when possible (e.g. gravity drainage has a global efficiency of 40-50 % and localized irrigation a global efficiency around 70 – 80 %)[1] or employ these techniques in an optimum way (e.g. in furrow irrigation consider the most suitable slope, furrow length, flow quantity and soil character to reduce drain and percolation and furrow irrigation
- Employing best agricultural practices to reduce water loss by evaporation (e.g. mulching, soil tillage, windbreaks).
- Supply the crops according to their specific water needs. In rainfed farming systems deficit irrigation can provide maximum water use efficiency (WUE) taking into account other factors like sowing date, Nitrogen supply and supplement irrigation level. Maximizing crop production doesn´t necessary maximize the returns per water volume unit. (Oweis et al., 2000).
- Considering land expropriation and the payment of compensations or environmental services for reducing agricultural surface, especially in zones with overexploitation of the resources.
Applicability
Expected effect of measure on (including literature citations):
- HYMO (general and specified per HYMO element)
- physico � chemical parameters
- Biota (general and specified per Biological quality elements)
Temporal and spatial response
Pressures that can be addressed by this measure
Cost-efficiency
Case studies where this measure has been applied
Useful references
Other relevant information
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