Objective
* To evaluate the potential water savings in the irrigation water supply and distribution systems, and to identify corresponding alternative solutions for improved management;
* to identify improvements in the on-farm irrigation systems in combination with irrigation scheduling which lead to reduced water demand and high yields;
* to evaluate the potential for water reuse and related requirements on environmental and health friendliness;
* to assess drainage and salinity problems, and to identify appropriate measures to control water logging and salinity;
* to assess environmental problems and to evaluate the environmental value of improved soil and water management, as well as the economic and social value of such measures;
* to develop a DSS which could be a tool for multi-criteria analysis of water savings.
Expected Outcome
Given the water shortages occurring in the Yellow River basin due to excessive water withdraws, aggravated when droughts occur, the social-economic benefits of the project shall result from the implementation of water saving measures. The quantification of those benefits is a component of the research proposed. The project does not lead directly to socio-economic and environmental benefits but create an appropriate framework for decision making on water saving.
The key activities involve :
* Field research on several items such as :
a) Supply systems : field research to establish the inflow-outflow balance of the systems, to estimate the time lags between main nodes, to evaluate the operational rules of the regulation structures.
b) Distribution and delivery systems : field research aims at the evaluation of inflow-outflow balances in selected distributors and related delivery characterization. Specific surveys will be performed along the irrigation season in relation to crop demand.
c) Crop demand : field research will resume to collect soils data, crop data and weather data to be used in semi-empirical models like ISAREG and IRRICEP.
d) Drainage to control waterlogging and salinity : field research both in NX and SD, several pilot drainage areas have been established and are being explored, which constitute an important source of data.
e) Water reuse : field research in areas where surface drainage water and return flows are being used for irrigation will be surveyed both on water and soil quality.
f) Environmental impacts and benefits : water quality surveys will be conducted in conjunction with field studies on irrigation (item a, b, c above), and water and soil quality surveys under items d) and e) will also provide appropriate information.
* Desk research - treating the data provided by field research.
* Development of a DSS using field research to build up or calibrate/validate the simulation models to be used to formulate the alternative scenarios, and to define the socio-economics and environmental parameters which will serve to the multi-criteria analysis.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringwater engineeringirrigation
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrologydrainage basins
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringnatural resources managementwater management
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
1399 Lisboa
Portugal