Transcript 7_Alps Case studies_ETC-ACC_Benno Hain Sabine McCallum

Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts
and Water Resource Problems in the
European Alps
- Lessons Learned from Regional Case
Studies -
Sabine McCallum (UBA-A)
Benno Hain (UBA-DE)
EIONET Workshop on Adaptation, Copenhagen, Oct. 9/10, 2008
Project
Members
Funded by
Criteria for selecting regions for case studies
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Possibly existing or planned adaptation strategies with
regard to water resources problems
Expressed interest of the authorities in adaptation to water
resource problems
Case study region is specifically exposed to / affected by
water resources problems (shortages, quality) in the
European Alps
If available, historical climate records and results from
regional climate models
If available, data records and scenarios on impacts of
climate change
Contact persons as multiplier for affected departments,
sectors or groups available
Relevance to serve as a reference for one of the chosen
perspectives (European, Sectoral, Regional) and typical for
the climatic zone
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Main problems with water resources in Vallais, Switzerland
1. In general, no current problem because of high water buffer
capacity in the snow, glacier and as groundwater to compensate
summer drought. Visible effects of water shortage below 1000m.
Less water available during winter time.
2. In future, no glacier melt water in summer to compensate summer
drought, with unknown effects on groundwater levels in the valley
floor
3. Increasing sectoral effects and observations:
Agriculture: summer irrigation by groundwater or melt water is
needed
Drinking water: drinking water comes from groundwater and
springs at higher altitude
Forestry: already occurs the death of Scots pine, substituted by
pubescent oak
Hydropower: siltation and damage of infrastructure by erosion
particles
Natural hazards: forest fires, land slides, mudflows and soil
erosion increase
Tourism: expert interview still missing
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Existing main adaptation measures
1. Agriculture: water saving by new irrigation or frost
protection technologies
2. Drinking water: inter-local connection of water
supply infrastructure
3. Forestry: growing of adapted trees to reduce risks
(fire, land slides, avalanches)
4. Hydropower: installation of decentralised small
river power plants
5. Natural hazards: technological protection and
protection forests
6. Tourism: expert interview still missing
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Lessons learned (preliminary)
1.
No common understanding of “adaptation to CC”
2.
No communication networks between communities to deal
with water problems
3.
Measures as response to climate change are accepted
because of existing traditions, rules and laws
4.
Future strategic planning is hampered because of lacking
risk awareness, unclear responsibilities and poor
management structures
5.
Actual knowledge about specific effects of climate change
is not valid enough for concrete planning
6.
Estimated vulnerability is medium to high, because
concrete adaptation measures as responses to future risks
and communication nets are general missing
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Main problems with water resources in Lavant valley, A
 Location:
River Lavant valley, southern Alps, Carinthia – Wolfsberg
and St.Andrä
 Conditions:
- average precipitation low – decreased by 15-20%
between 1900-2001
- water shortage problems during hot summers
- anticipated CC impacts may lead to severe problems
in water supply due to higher variability in precipitation
regimes, less and shorter snow cover, higher temperatures
with higher evaporation
 Main sectors affected:
- Drinking Water, Forestry, Agriculture, (Tourism)
 Information based on results from Interreg project
ClimChAlp (including scenarios) and Stakeholder interviews
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Existing main adaptation measures
1. Water supply:
- Statewide water supply strategy providing data
about water availability and water demand on a
regional scale, in place since 1984
- Establishment of water association network Lavant valley
as a response to recurring water supply shortages,
connecting water supplies of 4 municipalities to better cope
with local water shortages
- Water saving measures – pro-active awareness raising
on reducing water consumption for communities
2. Forestry (forest cover amounts 40-50% of the total area
with 72% Norway spruce):
- Financial support program to promote locally adapted tree
species and development of mixed forest stands
- Working groups for knowledge and experience exchange on
management of mixed stands
Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps
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Main problems with water resources - KATER, A
 Location:
North-Eastern calcareous Alps; area provides 95% of the
drinking water for Vienna
 Conditions:
- karstic aquifers are highly vulnerable to CC impacts due to
karst topography in terms of hydrological characteristics
and water quality
- in case of e.g. heavy rainfalls high rates of sediments are
mobilized causing water turbidity that cannot be filtered out
within short time of discharge
- water quality is further effected by various land use
activities in the spring protection areas
 Main sectors affected:
- Drinking Water, Forestry, Tourism
 Information based on results from EU KATER I+II project,
literature review and stakeholder interviews
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Existing main adaptation measures
1. Water supply:
- Intensive data collection building up a monitoring system
(geology, hydrological circle, soil, vegetation as well as
land use activities)
- Establishment of a (Spatial) Decision Support System
((S)DSS to improve water management, in particular in
terms of risk prevention and appropriate planning
- Intensive cooperation with land users (forest owners,
tourism operators, etc.)
2. Forestry:
- Guidelines on operation and management of forests in
spring protection areas developed by Vienna Water Works
in cooperation with the forestry office of the city
of Vienna identifying best practices to protect
the aquifer body through sustainable forest management
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Lessons learned (preliminary)
1.
Reasons for taking “adaptation” activities are driven by
concrete effects and socio-economic impacts rather than
CC predictions and/or scenarios
2.
Broad stakeholder involvement is crucial for designing
effective response measures and securing an adequate
implementation
3.
Planning for water management strongly needs crosssectoral considerations, taking into account ecosystem
services and pressures from land use
4.
Governmental activities in terms of providing technical as
well as financial support enhances the success rate of
measures to be taken
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