Author(s): E. G. Kolokytha; E. K. Traikapi; Y. A. Mylopoulos
Linked Author(s): Elpida Kolokytha
Keywords: Climate change; Dodecanese islands; Water management; Greece
Abstract: Although the magnitude of climate change impacts on the water cycle and water resources cannot be predicted exactly, scientific evidence is sufficient to urge immediate action. Therefore, while climate change mitigation should remain a priority for policy-making, there is also an urgent need to develop strategies for adaptation to the already inevitable climate-change driven changes in water resources. The Dodecanese complex of islands is a vulnerable Greek region due to the special conditions that occur. Severe water scarcity conditions that already occur in most of the islands, increased seasonal water demand due to tourism, less precipitation and the change in water supply distribution through time and space are the main reasons for a further deterioration of the already distributed water balances. Taking all the above into account, this paper presents a set of structural and non structural measures for the sustainable water resource management, in the Greek Dodecanese islands.
Year: 2011