Adaptation: A Vital Priority for Sustainable Water Resources Management

Abstract

Sustainability in terms of water management implies the study of all interrelated parameters (social, environmental, economic, engineering and political) in a comprehensive way. Although Greece is presented in the international rankings as a water-rich country, it has significant water problems due to its high temporal and spatial distribution of water resources and its unsustainable management practices characterized by a fragmented and sector-oriented water management system. This problem has been significantly improved by the adoption of the EU WFD and the development of management plans at the river basin scale. Nevertheless, because of the climate change effects, there is still a long way to go, and radical changes are needed in order to reach sustainability. Adaptation is a vital response toward sustainability. The Mygdonia agricultural basin is a case study of a highly negative water balance system that highlights the shortcomings of both water management and adaptation in Greece. Analysis of the hydrology of the basin, as well as the climate projections until 2100, revealed the urgent need for concerted action. A set of different development adaptation strategies was applied and assessed concerning their effectiveness. According to the outputs of this research, integrated watershed management is a prerequisite for a successful adaptation policy. Radical reform is needed in the agricultural sector by decreasing the agricultural land and changing crops. Demand management is the solution rather than focusing on supply options.