Water Management

Over the last 120 years, temperatures in the Alpine region have risen by almost two degrees Celsius - about twice as much as the global average. This rise in temperature has consequences for the Alpine ecosystems and soils. Changes are becoming increasingly visible, particularly in the water balance of the soil. In many places, the groundwater level is falling, and droughts are becoming more frequent and more severe. Weather events are also becoming more volatile and extreme. In addition to dry periods, short-term heavy rainfalls and storms are becoming more frequent. Agriculture in the Alpine region is already facing major challenges, especially in the near and medium term. Farmers have already begun to adapt to the new climate conditions with a variety of measures.

Regarding soil water balance, new climate data or climate forecasts, among other things, can provide valuable insights into future adjustments in land use. For example, climate-related scenarios on the distribution of dry areas provide helpful information on the extent and severity of drought monitoring in the Alpine region.

The "Impuls4Action" project places particular emphasis on the exchange of information and experiences. Holding workshops with stakeholders can serve the purpose both of exchanging scientific information and discussing concrete measures and best practices. Experiences about concrete management techniques in grassland farming, as a form of adaptation to the changing water balance in the soil, were exchanged in a workshop, among many other examples.

The Impuls4Action Toolbox aims to provide actors in this field with suitable examples, projects, methods and experts, to promote the exchange of know-how and stimulate best practices in water management for Alpine soils.

Ecosystem services of rural territories.

The ecosystem services of rural territories. Evaluation of the quality of non-urbanized territories as a measure of municipal ecosystem services. Authors: Giulio Senes, Gianpaolo Cirone - University of Milan.
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DriDanube – Drought Risk in the Danube Region

The project aimed at increasing the resilience of the society to the occurrence of drought in the Danube region, by developing a multifaceted tool for drought monitoring based on latest technology, and by
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European Drought Observatory

European Drought Observatory (EDO) is an online tool for European early warning, monitoring and forecasting of drought and its impacts, based on satellite data, hydro-meteorological modelling and in-situ observa
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National Reporting Network

National reporting network (NRN) acts as a way of drought impact assessment carried out through regular observations, which helps to deliver early awareness of drought damage in place.
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CLAIMES - CLimate response of AlpIne lakes

The main objective of this three-year project (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2022) is to find out how current climate change affects the function of alpine lakes and thereby influences the provision of ES.
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