Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Climate change is expected to have negative impact not only on available water resources but also on irrigation water requirements (IWR). This study presents adaptation practices related to decreased water resources and increased IWR in climate change conditions for an irrigation system. A case study of multi purpose hydro-system in the southwest part of the Republic of Macedonia, represented by semi arid climate is illustrated. The hydro-system is comprised of a dam and reservoir of 119 mio m3 used for irrigation, energy production, water supply of industry and population and pressurized gravity irrigation system supplying on demand 20,000 ha of irrigated land. IWR are calculated on a monthly basis using FAO�s CROPWAT computer program and records for the main climate and meteorological data. Calibration of the IWR model is carried out on a basis of actually delivered irrigation water quantities. The model is further applied to forecast IWR for 2011-2050 period, using generated series of monthly precipitation and temperature data in compliance with the official climate change scenarios for Macedonia. Forecasted IWR are not expected to increase significantly in summer compared to the spring. Regression analyses of the forecasted average annual discharges inflowing into reservoir showed a decrease of 9% compared to the period 1961-2005. Potential adaptation strategy to overcome increased water demands involves adaptation of operational management practices of the capacity of the reservoir to the climate change conditions.

Biography

Katerina Donevska has completed her PhD in irrigation from the University Sts Cyril and Methodius, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Republic of Macedonia. She is professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. Her research includes environmental issues as landfilling, climate change impact and adaptations of the water resources and irrigation. She was Fulbright visiting scholar at Bowling Green State University, School of Earth Environment and Society in Ohio in 2010-2011 academic year.