Project description
Water management in small agricultural catchments
The increase in the frequency of extreme weather events may generate fierce competition for water resources. For instance, there is a mounting risk of conflicts pertaining to agricultural and domestic use of water, but also environmental demands. The EU-funded OPTAIN project will identify efficient techniques for water and nutrient retention and reuse in small agricultural catchments across continental, Pannonian and boreal regions of Europe. Engaging local stakeholders, the project will select natural/small water retention measures (NSWRMs) at farm and catchment levels and improve their spatial allocation and combination based on environmental and sustainability measures. NSWRMs could improve the management of head watersheds and contribute to a more flexible agricultural management and society.
Objective
Natural/Small Water Retention Measures (NSWRMs) can help mitigate the conflicts between agricultural water uses (e.g. plant production, animals) and other human and environmental demands for water, including drinking water or maintaining environmental flow. This is crucial, since these conflicts will be probably exacerbated by an increasing number of extreme events such as droughts and heavy rainfall. A more careful management of head watersheds will significantly contribute to a more resilient agriculture and society. Moreover, NSWRMs are contributing simultaneously to the achievement of different Sustainable Development Goals and environmental targets formulated in several water- and agriculture-related European Union policies. Despite a comprehensive set of techniques available to increase water retention on both catchment and farm levels, knowledge is still lacking on the effectiveness of different scale- and region-specific measures across various soil-climatic regions and agricultural systems, especially under changing climate conditions. OPTAIN aims to (i) identify efficient techniques for the retention and reuse of water and nutrients in small agricultural catchments across Continental, Pannonian and Boreal biogeographical regions of Europe, taking into account potential synergies with existing drainage-irrigation systems, and - in close cooperation with local actors - (ii) select NSWRMs at farm and catchment level and optimize their spatial allocation and combination, based on environmental and economic sustainability indicators. By building on existing knowledge and addressing these objectives, OPTAIN will improve the Technological Readiness Level of NSWRMs for the benefit of both humans and ecosystems. All gained knowledge will be translated into a learning environment allowing analysis of trade-offs and synergies between multiple values/goals in the management and design of NSWRMs.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processesdrinking water treatment processes
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologydrainage basins
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
04318 Leipzig
Germany
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Participants (21)
3012 Bern
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3003 Bern
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2462 Martonvasar
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1012 Budapest
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02 787 Warszawa
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05-090 FALENTY
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1000 Ljubljana
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2000 Maribor
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9000 Gent
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LT-92294 KLAIPEDA
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LT-58343 Kedainiai
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20122 Milano
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1430 Aas
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Participation ended
8200 Veszprem
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15627 Praha
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5401 Daugavpils
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750 07 Uppsala
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833 15 Bratislava
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75008 Paris
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
3818 EX Amersfoort
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0579 Oslo
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