Access to water of good quality and in sufficient quantity is essential to human beings. However, land use and climate changes challenge this water availability. Political and administrative decision-makers depend on a scientific basis on which to build, in good time, measures for the safeguarding of water resources.
Background
Water is used for drinking, for the irrigation of fields and for the production of energy; we relax by the water and also have to protect ourselves against floods. However, human activity and climate change affect the ecosystems, thus interfering with their functions. When less water is available, many branches of industry are endangered. Additional costs arise when certain branches can no longer function as desired. It is therefore necessary to develop measures which safeguard the availability of good quality water in sufficient quantity.
Aim
The project takes into account the entire water resource supply chain, from the supply in the catchment area all the way to the use in the valley, based on the example of the Rhône in the Upper Valais. Basic national and international political conditions and their influence on water management will be taken into account, as will the changes associated with the climate. A model will be developed that combines the hydrological, ecological and economic aspects of water resource development and portrays these in various scenarios. The effects of climate change and land use on water resources will be depicted in maps. In this way, it will be demonstrated that certain areas react more sensitively to climate change and socio-economic development than others, and suitable adaptation strategies can be formulated for the local stakeholders.
Significance
Tools will be developed that will help the decision-makers to develop regional measures, thus ensuring that high quality water is available in sufficient quantities. These measures can for example include exploitation modifications and financial incentive systems. The regional players will above all have to adapt to climate change. When it comes to modifications in land use, they will possibly be able to weaken negative trends.
Original title: HydroServ - Vulnerability of hydrological ecosystem services: Integrative analysis under changes of climate and socio-economy with an emphasis on adaptation
Grant: CHF 499’622.-
Duration: 36 months
Project leaders
- Prof. Dr. Adrienne Grêt-Regamey, Institut für Raum- und Landschaftsentwicklung, PLUS, Planning of Landscape and Urban Systems, ETH Zürich HIL
- Prof. Dr. Harald Bugmann, Institut für Terrestrische Ökosysteme, ETH Zürich
- Prof. Dr. Paolo Burlando, Institut für Umweltingenieurwissenschaften, ETH Zürich
- Prof. Dr. Peter Knoepfel, Institut de hautes études en administration publique, Université de Lausanne
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Koellner, Geoökologie, Universität Bayreuth
- Prof. Dr. Andrea Rinaldo, Laboratoire d'écohydrologie, EPFL