The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2015, Volume 61 Issue 4
| Year : | 2015 |
| Volume : | 61 |
| Issue : | 4 |
| Authors : | Rossella de VITO, Ivan PORTOGHESE, Alessandro PAGANO, Umberto FRATINO |
| Title : | INTEGRATING WFA AND HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING FOR ASSESSING SUSTAINABILITY OF THE AGRICULTURE IN A COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM |
| Abstract : | Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) is an innovative tool able to estimate consumptive use of water resources in various fields. WFA has been applied in several contexts, although most relevant applications concern the analysis of water exploitation in agriculture. Currently, most of research activities aim to use WFA to support the definition of sustainability criteria in water management issues. In this work, WFA methodology was implemented mainly to analyse the impact of agricultural activities on the available water resources in an area located in Apulia region (Southern Italy). The study area is relevant for its hydrogeological complexity: it comprises two interconnected coastal lakes, one with freshwater and one with brackish water, the former being the major water source for both irrigation and drinking purposes. Moreover, the area is a renowned tourist destination, thus deserving a significant environmental value, which contrasts with the current overexploitation due to the irrigation requirements and to the touristic water demand. Crop water requirements (mainly grapevine and summer vegetables) were computed using CROPWAT software and the obtained results used for estimating a water footprint indicator. The WFA methodology was also coupled with a hydrological model able to describe the main dynamic aspects of the system (e.g. water withdrawals, interactions between surface water and groundwater, etc.). The hydrological model was built based on a large dataset deriving from continuous monitoring activities performed during a whole irrigation season. The integration of information, data and models was the basis to support the definition of sustainability criteria in a complex system, characterized by competing water uses and emerging issues related to the environmental conservation. |
| For citation : | De Vito, R., Portoghese, I., Pagano, A., Fratino, U. (2015): Integrating WFA AND Hydrological modelling for assessing sustainability of the agriculture in a Complex Environmental System. Agriculture and Forestry, 61(4): 293-300. |
| Keywords : | water footprint assessment, environmental sustainability, hydrological modelling |
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