Climate actions
Improve water retention in agricultural areas
Objective
Reduce water scarcity due to drought.Description
Storing water in soil decreases the negative impacts of droughts. Several grey measures are available, and include measures based on the use of technology in agriculture, e.g. no-tillage, or cropping systems implemented to reduce water runoff. Runoff, depending on soil characteristics, can be delayed by tillage methods combined with plants having a high root density and lush surface cover.
Expected results
Increase the natural water retention capacity of an entire landscape, or increase the water storage capacity with man-made structures.Result indicators
Volume of retained water [m³]Involved actors
Farmers, landowners, local authorities, environmental agencies.Expected timeline for action
- Long term (> 10 years)
Criticalities
This option requires change of traditional agricultural practices and substantial investments. Lack of knowledge, training, e.g. on soil conservation practises, lack of environmental regulations and monitoring also pose a barrier.
Scope of the action
- Adaptation
Type of proposed actions
- Grey
- Green
Sector of action
- Agriculture / Forests / Land use
- Biodiversity / Conservation of ecosystems
- Water resource management
Climate impacts
- Drought
- Floods
Implementation scale
- Association of municipalities
- Municipality
- Province