Transformations accompanying a shift from surface to drip irrigation in the Cànyoles Watershed, Valencia, Spain
Article
Article Title | Transformations accompanying a shift from surface to drip irrigation in the Cànyoles Watershed, Valencia, Spain |
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ERA Journal ID | 124764 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Sese-Minguez, Saioa (Author), Boesveld, Harm (Author), Asins-Velis, Sabina (Author), van der Kooij, Saskia (Author) and Maroulis, Jerry (Author) |
Journal Title | Water Alternatives: an interdisciplinary journal on water, politics and development |
Journal Citation | 10 (1), pp. 81-99 |
Number of Pages | 19 |
Year | 2017 |
Place of Publication | France |
ISSN | 1965-0175 |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.water-alternatives.org/index.php/alldoc/articles/vol10/v10issue1/343-a10-1-5/file |
Abstract | Drip irrigation is widely promoted in Spain to increase agricultural production and to save water. In the Cànyoles watershed, Valencia, we analysed the consequences of change from surface irrigation to drip irrigation over the past 25 years. There were a number of transformations resulting from, or accelerated by, this change including the 1) intensification of well construction causing a redistribution in access to groundwater, water shortages and a lowering of the groundwater table; 2) expansion of irrigation into former rain-dependent uphill areas resulting in increased water use; 3) shift to higher- value monoculture fruit crops, but with associated higher crop water requirements; 4) increased electrical energy consumption and higher costs due to groundwater pumping; and 5) loss of cultural heritage as wells have replaced traditional surface irrigation infrastructure that originated in the Middle Ages. Consequently, the authors argue that transitioning from surface irrigation to drip irrigation should critically look beyond the obvious short-term benefits that are intended by the introduction of the technology, and consider possible unforeseen side effects, that may have serious long-term impacts on the environment and the community. |
Keywords | drip irrigation, water saving, energy consumption, agricultural land use/expansion, cultural heritage loss, Cànyoles watershed, Spain |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 419999. Other environmental sciences not elsewhere classified |
300201. Agricultural hydrology | |
Byline Affiliations | Wageningen University, Netherlands |
University of Valencia, Spain | |
International Centre for Applied Climate Science | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q3wy7/transformations-accompanying-a-shift-from-surface-to-drip-irrigation-in-the-c-nyoles-watershed-valencia-spain
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