Author(s): Davide Motta; Sam Lyons; Sasha Mceneaney; Olgu Yurttas; Faruk Ocakoglu; Michele Massa; John Wainwright

Linked Author(s): Davide Motta

Keywords: Water Scarcity; Water Budget; Sustainable Water Management; Water Resources; Irrigation

Abstract: Konya is a semi-arid agricultural basin in south-central Turkey, increasingly affected by water scarcity in the last few decades. Water budgets are developed for the delta area of Çarşamba River, May River and Meram Creek and compared for past (16th century CE), present and future (2050-2100 CE) scenarios, to identify environmental and/or anthropic causes of water scarcity. Preliminary results confirm a severe water budget deficit in the present, especially in the summer months, only partially rectified by groundwater extraction through wells that has caused substantial lowering of the groundwater table since 1970. The significant increase in irrigation area and the change of cultivated crops are identified as the main causes of the present-day water scarcity. Climate change appears to have not played a major role in the past but is expected to further aggravate water scarcity by the end of the century. Our study provides a quantitative framework to propose potential policy- or behaviour-based solutions for a more sustainable water management in the Konya basin, although their feasibility will also have to be assessed in terms of economic and quality of life expectations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022933

Year: 2022