Rational Irrigation under Changing Climate

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is anticipated to cause crucial impacts on many regions worldwide, especially in those that are already facing significant water scarcity conditions or even droughts. Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity issues, increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts and floods, alter precipitation and temperature patterns, and thus impact ecosystems and biodiversity. These impacts will likely have significant social, economic, and environmental consequences. For example, they can reduce agricultural productivity and increase pressure on natural resources.  

Irrigation is highly vulnerable to climate change. As such, sustainable irrigation practices can play a critical role in adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water resources, and the environment and reducing their environmental footprint. As the climate continues to change, it is essential to adopt sustainable irrigation practices that are resilient, adaptable, and responsive to local conditions and challenges. Reduced water use can be achieved by the use of sustainable irrigation practices such as drip irrigation, wastewater reuse, and improved irrigation scheduling as these can help to conserve water resources and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with pumping and transporting water.

By investing in new technologies, improving water management practices, promoting soil health, adopting sustainable farming practices, reusing wastewater, and building institutional and policy support, we can promote rational irrigation under changing climate conditions and within the context of circular economy. Additionally, these kinds of measures can ensure the long-term sustainability of our water resources and food systems. Investing in new irrigation technologies such as precision irrigation and smart irrigation systems can help farmers to optimize water use and reduce water waste by using sensors and data to monitor soil moisture levels and plant water needs. Furthermore, improved water management practices such as rainwater harvesting, and wastewater reuse can help farmers to adapt to water scarcity and reduce their reliance on groundwater. These practices can also reduce the need for the energy-intensive pumping and transportation of water. Planting drought-tolerant crops can also help farmers to adapt to drought conditions and reduce their water use. These crops are cultivated to withstand water stress and require less water than traditional crops.

Additionally, promoting soil health through practices such as cover cropping and the use of reduced tillage can increase the amount of carbon stored in soil. This has the effect of enhancing carbon sequestration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving water retention, and each development can help to mitigate climate change and improve irrigation efficiency. Sustainable farming practices such as crop rotation and the composting of plant residues can reduce the need for synthetic chemical fertilizers, materials which are energy-intensive to produce and can release greenhouse gases during their production and use. Building institutional and policy support for sustainable irrigation practices can help to create the conditions in which farmers can adopt these practices on a large scale. This may include training and technical assistance, establishing financial incentives for rational irrigation, and promoting water-efficient practices through regulations and standards.

This Special Issue deals with the topic of rational irrigation under the conditions of a changing climate and circular economy. We invite researchers and experts working in relevant field to contribute original research, reviews, and opinion pieces, covering all topics related to sustainable irrigation practices, circular economy, and the mitigation of the impacts of climate change on agriculture, water resources, and the environment.

Dr. Evangelos Hatzigiannakis
Dr. Dimitrios Malamataris
Dr. Vasiliki Kinigopoulou
Guest Editors

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• climate change
• sustainable irrigation
• sustainable agriculture
• water and soil sustainability
• wastewater reuse
• circular economy
• irrigation modeling
• adaptation measures
• adaptation polices