What Do We Know about Water Scarcity in Semi-Arid Zones? A Global Analysis and Research Trends (original) (raw)
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Water Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions, 2006
Water scarcity issues are a cause for serious concern in arid and semi-arid regions and existing water shortages are predicted to escalate in both frequency and duration over the next century (UNEP, 2003). Global water consumption grew sixfold between 1900 and 1995, more than double the rate of population growth, and continues to rise with growing farming, industry, and domestic demand. By 2025, the number of countries qualifying as water scarce is anticipated to rise to 35 (from 20 in 1990). Given that water provides one of the most important life-support functions, ensuring food security through agricultural production and enabling the existence of all ecosystems, the allocation of scarce surface and groundwater resources in an efficient manner is of paramount importance. The significance of groundwater resources should not be underestimated as this resource represents around 90% of the world's readily available freshwater resources and some 1.5 billion people depend upon it for drinking water. In addition to the quantitative shortages of water resulting from demand and supply imbalances, water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions is further exacerbated by deteriorating water quality caused by point and non-point source pollution. In Europe, industry accounts for 54% of total water consumption, agricultural water use accounts for about 33%, while 13% is used for domestic purposes. The driving forces of water demand are strongly linked with national and international social and economic policies, and additional forces of water shortages are due to natural variability in water
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Iraq is one of the riparian countries in the Tigris-Euphrates river basin in the Middle East. This region currently faces water shortage issues because of increased demand and the mounting effects of climate change. Iraq relies heavily on water from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; indeed, Iraq was considered rich in water resources until the 1970s, when water scarcity problems began to arise. The water shortage problem is expected to become more serious in the near future. The primary objective of this review is to discover stringent, practical and quick measures that can be implemented to overcome Iraq’s water resource problems. The Iraqi authorities must craft a strategic water management vision (including cooperation and coordination), improve the agriculture and sanitation sectors, conduct research and development, and initiate a public awareness program. This paper discusses both current conditions and future expectations to overcome Iraq’s water scarcity problem.
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The primary goal of this article is to evaluate water scarcity in selected countries of the Middle-East and assess the impact on agricultural production. To begin with, the Weighted Anomaly Standardized Precipitation (WASP) Index from 1979 to 2017 was spatially computed for Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In order to demonstrate the effect of reduced levels of water, the water shortage situation in cities with the population higher than one million was examined. This was accomplished by utilizing the Composite Index approach to make water related statistics more intelligible. A projection for the years of 2020 to 2030 was created in order to demonstrate possible changes in the supply and demand for water in selected countries of the Middle-East. In regards to evaluating the economic effects of water shortages on agricultural sector, effects of lower precipitation on agricultural production in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were estimated. With ever-increasing urbanization, all countries a...
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Water scarcity and water availability puts significant constraints in the social and economic development of many regions and countries around the world, especially the arid and semi-arid regions, as well as deteriorates the quality of life. The current problem of water scarcity consists of the adverse result of ineffective water resource management and policies, as well as the availability of water in these regions. This paper presents a methodological overview of a sustainable water resource management framework through technical and scientific analyses of water scarcity management in regions vulnerable to drought and water scarcity. The methodological framework consists of procedures, including database development, climate variability and modelling, water quantity and quality modelling, a summary of hierarchical drought analysis, water demands assessment. In case of significant reduction in water availability, the analyses are expected to explore alternative water resource solutions, such as non-conventional measures related to marginal waters, including rain enhancement, desalination, water treatment and reuse potential, water harvesting, trends and practices under drought and water scarcity conditions. Once the water demands are assessed, a water resource management scheme is implemented, along with an economic model to evaluate the economic feasibility of the management scenarios.
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Contamination of surface and underground water by sea level rise, surface runoff, and land use activities such as industrial and agricultural activities can lead to water scarcity. Water could be available and accessible but not suitable for human use. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region countries, the agriculture sector depends massively on water for farming activities, which consumes about 80% of the available water resources. In this context, the issue of environmental water scarcity is under highlighted, though the use of this term itself is still lacking in an international context (FAO). Meanwhile, the international goal of universal access to clean freshwater is included in global development targets (SDGs). This study provides some insights and deepens our understanding on environmental water scarcity, particularly MEN-A region countries. This review paper begins with an introduction to water scarcity and continues with a discussion of environmental issues associated with water scarcity in MENA region countries. Finally, we suggest some adaptive measures in two distinct areas such as agriculture sectors and policy makers and conclude that the lack of implementation of this particular term is hindering sustainable development in MENA region countries.
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Water scarcity is an emerging topic in security and conflict studies. This selected bibliography highlights some of the concerns, including border disputes, effect on food supply, and the shared responsibility for the future of water resources. Not a comprehensive listing, this selected bibliography is intended to be a starting point for research.