Syrian Water Resources between the Present and the Future
(2011) In Air, Soil and Water Research 4.- Abstract
- Water scarcity is one of the main challenges facing Middle Eastern countries. A typical country in this respect is Syria. This paper estimates projections for the available water resources, water balance, and available water per capita (AWPC) in Syria until 2050 in relation to possible future climate changes, national development agendas, water constraints, and water management alternatives. Results show that the AWPC is likely to be reduced by about half up to 2050. Climate change and population growth will have a huge influence on water availability during the coming decades. However, effective water management can to a great extent counterbalance these negative effects. The implementation of modern irrigation practices and the reuse of... (More)
- Water scarcity is one of the main challenges facing Middle Eastern countries. A typical country in this respect is Syria. This paper estimates projections for the available water resources, water balance, and available water per capita (AWPC) in Syria until 2050 in relation to possible future climate changes, national development agendas, water constraints, and water management alternatives. Results show that the AWPC is likely to be reduced by about half up to 2050. Climate change and population growth will have a huge influence on water availability during the coming decades. However, effective water management can to a great extent counterbalance these negative effects. The implementation of modern irrigation practices and the reuse of domestic wastewater, for example, can save up to 400-800 million cubic meters in 2050. If rainwater harvesting systems are implemented water availability can be utilized much more efficiently. Consequently, it appears that there are reasons to be alarmed but also cautiously optimistic regarding Syria's water availability. This, however, depends on the implementation of good development practices, integrated management and public participation at all levels. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/1757155
- author
- Mourad, Khaldoon A. LU and Berndtsson, Ronny LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2011-01
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Air, Soil and Water Research
- volume
- 4
- article number
- ASWR.S8076
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:84855279267
- DOI
- 10.4137/ASWR.S8076
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- c0737042-6aae-4566-bf85-73ed86aa708c (old id 1757155)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-04 14:22:06
- date last changed
- 2023-09-06 21:03:52
@article{c0737042-6aae-4566-bf85-73ed86aa708c, abstract = {{Water scarcity is one of the main challenges facing Middle Eastern countries. A typical country in this respect is Syria. This paper estimates projections for the available water resources, water balance, and available water per capita (AWPC) in Syria until 2050 in relation to possible future climate changes, national development agendas, water constraints, and water management alternatives. Results show that the AWPC is likely to be reduced by about half up to 2050. Climate change and population growth will have a huge influence on water availability during the coming decades. However, effective water management can to a great extent counterbalance these negative effects. The implementation of modern irrigation practices and the reuse of domestic wastewater, for example, can save up to 400-800 million cubic meters in 2050. If rainwater harvesting systems are implemented water availability can be utilized much more efficiently. Consequently, it appears that there are reasons to be alarmed but also cautiously optimistic regarding Syria's water availability. This, however, depends on the implementation of good development practices, integrated management and public participation at all levels.}}, author = {{Mourad, Khaldoon A. and Berndtsson, Ronny}}, language = {{eng}}, series = {{Air, Soil and Water Research}}, title = {{Syrian Water Resources between the Present and the Future}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4137/ASWR.S8076}}, doi = {{10.4137/ASWR.S8076}}, volume = {{4}}, year = {{2011}}, }