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Evaluating climate change adaptation options for the Pedieos River Basin

Climate change is affecting our environment and our water resources. Research and dialogue are needed to identify how to adapt to longer droughts, higher temperatures and more intense rain storms. A participatory workshop at The Cyprus Institute engaged water managers, agricultural and environmental officials, forest researchers, landscape planners, hydrologists, economists and educators in the discussion.

The participants identified the forest along the slopes of the Troodos, the river and its natural vegetation, and runoff in the urban areas of Nicosia as key concerns for climate change adaptation. George Demetriou from the Water Board of Nicosia highlighted the important role of “water consciousness” for climate change adaptation.

Thirty different water management options for the Pedieos River Basin were evaluated by the participants. The options that received full votes were the restoration and maintenance of the river bed, the implementation of good agricultural practices, and the dynamic management of the water of the Tamassos dam. The management of the dam should achieve a balance between the water needs of local communities, the biodiversity of the dam and the river, the recharge of groundwater resources and the protection against floods.

This one-day workshop held on July 1st 2015, was based on the challenges, needs and constraints for the Pedieos River Basin identified during the first BeWater workshop that took place one year ago (July 2014). Stakeholders’ reflections will provide key elements for the design of a climate change adaptation plan for the Pedieos River Basin.

The BeWater project is financed through the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission under the Science in Society initiative. For more information, please contact Elias Giannakis: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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