 | Training material for extension advisors in irrigation water 1: Soil-plant-atmosphere continuum |
| Expanded Title: | Modelling scenarios indicate that climate change impacts are expected to alter the present hydrological resources in South Africa. Despite uncertainties, the majority of the models suggest a decline in rainfall over the western parts of South Africa in the coming decades. Based on these projections, the most severe impacts are likely to occur in this region, where small towns and subsistence farmers are most vulnerable. The available literature suggests that it would be prudent to account for climate change in water resource planning to meet the development objectives of South Africa. With this in mind, this study investigates the adaptive capacity of small towns and communities in the Northern Cape Province to climate variability, specifically drought. By testing these strategies against sustainable development criteria, planning policies for national and water resource planning and management are recommended to ensure water security against the impacts of climate change. A simple multi criteria decision analysis methodology was used to test the long term suitability of the strategies developed was done in consultation with representatives of the various Local Municipalities in the Northern Cape province and members of the Provincial Drought Task Team.
Based on this study and the responses obtained from the stakeholder group, the following portfolio of strategies should be further investigated when developing a water resource management strategy that takes future climate change impacts into account:
a. Supply side management:
• Reduction of leaks programmes
• Regional water resource planning
• Local water resource management and monitoring
• Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater
• Rainwater harvesting
b. Demand side management:
• Dry sanitation systems
• Education programmes
• Tariff structures
• Water restrictions |
| Date Published: | 01/10/2012 |
| Document Type: | Research Report |
| Document Subjects: | Agricultural Water - Commercial irrigation, Agricultural Water - Small holder irrigation |
| Document Format: | Report |
| Document File Type: | pdf |
| Research Report Type: | Technical |
| WRC Report No: | TT 540/1/12 |
| ISBN No: | 978-1-4312-0336-9 |
| Authors: | Stevens JB; van Heerden PS; Laker MC |
| Project No: | K5/1649 |
| Originator: | WRC |
| Organizations: | University of Pretoria; Water Research Commision funded Consultancy; Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
| Document Size: | 627 KB |
| Related Documents: | Training material for extension advisors in irrigation water management Volume 1: Main Report
|
|