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Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe

 

The main issues associated with Mediterranean desertification

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Table of indicators relating to intensive irrigation
Author: Gonzalo Gonzalez Barbera <gbarbera@cebas.csic.es>


Based on the discussion of the issue of intensive irrigation and on a workshop session carried out by members of the DESERTLINKS project, we have attempted to structure the relationship of the indicators to the issue.

The intensive irrigation issue is divided into three themes:

  • what can be observed (or process or state dynamics);
  • reasons for what is observed (or factors influencing the issue or driving forces and pressures);
  • consequences of what is observed (or impacts and responses).

The different facets of each theme are given in sub-themes and indicators of direct relevance to measuring or monitoring are suggested. Some are also suggested as headline indicators which, if considered as a group, form a sub-set of indicators encapsulating the major processes in intensive irrigation (see also Combining and using indicators: Headline indicators).

Please note that the structure presented in the table below is open to discussion. It may not be comprehensive because it is restricted to the indicators currently in the DIS4ME database. Some indicators appear more than once because they relate to more than one theme. This structure is something we would like to develop further in the future.



Theme Sub-theme Indicators
What can be observed (process or state dynamics) Increase in intensive, irrigated agriculture

Land use type (Headline)
Irrigation potential realised (Headline)

Reasons for what is observed (influencing factors or driving forces and pressures) Climatic conditions

Climate quality index
Rainfall seasonality
Aridity index (1)
Aridity index (2)

Soil conditions
Soil quality index
Slope gradient
Drainage
Soil mapping units
Infiltration capacity
Water availability
Groundwater depth (change in)
Water quality
Tourism change
Irrigated area
Income from land
Farm ownership
Farmer's age
EU production subsidies
Net farm income
Prices of agricultural products
Things going on in the wider world
Water use policy/law
Cultivated area under subsidy
Consequences of what is observed (or impacts and responses)
Soil salinization Salinization Potential
Deterioration of water avaibility Groundwater depth (change in)
Change in cultivation techniques
Mechanisation index
Fertilizer application
Expenditure on energy
Expenditure on water
Area of marginal soil used

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