IPCC defines adaptation as ‘adjustment in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment. Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. Various types of adaptation can be distinguished, including anticipatory and reactive adaptation, private and public adaptation, and autonomous and planned adaptation’ [1].
In regard to water scarcity and food security, FAO provides an overview of possible adaptation measures with the following structure: within and outside of the water domain and the agricultural sector focusing on the supply and demand side of water for agriculture[2].
Adapation measures at the water supply side
Within the water domain, options at the water supply side are:
• Increasing storage (through water harvesting)
• Groundwater development
• Water recycling and reuse
• Pollution control
• Desalination
• Importing water (inter-basin transfer, desalination)
Within the agricultural water management domain, options at the water supply side are:
• Supply enhancement through on-farm water conservation or small scale water harvesting measures
• urban waste water reuse for crop production
• Control of pollution from agriculture
Options at the water demand side
Options at the water demand side are:
• Reducing water losses
• Increasing water productivity (better water control, improved production processes)
• Water re-allocation
Options at the demand side for agricultural water can be found in:
• Pressurized conveyance and application of water (drip), improved irrigation scheduling and moisture control, canal lining
• Improved water delivery service in irrigation
• Yield gap reduction through improved agricultural practices, improved genetic material
• Shift to higher value crops in irrigation and/or limiting evapotranspiration by reducing areas under irrigation
• Consideration of crop water requirements
Adaptation measures outside of the water domain
Outside of the water domain, adaptation options to water scarcity in regard to food security can be
• Reducing losses in the value chain
• Reducing demand for irrigated products and services
• Reducing water use per capita
For further information, check the underlying hyperlinks of the different options.
References
- ↑ IPCC, Annex B. Glossary of Terms, URL: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/glossary/tar-ipcc-terms-en.pdf
- ↑ FAO, 2012 (forthcoming): Water scarcity and food security. A framework for action
