WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT OF PAPHOS IRRIGATION PROJECT UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS

摘要

The rational use of water is a necessity in regions with water shortages, as Cyprus. In recent years, important efforts were made in order to raise the savings of irrigation water through better management. This paper deals with water resources management of Paphos Irrigation Project in the Southwest part of Cyprus. Meteorological data from Paphos airport station were used to estimate the reference evapotranspiration by applying the FAO Penman - Monteith equation. The crop evapotranspiration was calculated by multiplying the reference evapotranspiration with the crop coefficient. Values for crop coefficients taken into account Cyprus soil and climate conditions were obtained from the Cyprus Agricultural Research Institute. The total irrigation water requirements (IRt) were calculated for the years 1996 - 2007. Data for water volume given to the crops by Paphos Irrigation Project were taken from Water Development Department of Paphos. A comparison between the volume of water which was given by the Irrigation Project to the crops and the total irrigation water requirements is presented. The given water volume is less than the total irrigation water requirements and the mean percentage of IRt which is satisfied is equaled to 50%. The maximum percentage is satisfied in 2003 with 60% and the minimum one in 2007 with 36%. It has been concluded that the total water needs of crops are far from being met and enormous work remains to be done. In addition, climate change scenarios indicate the deterioration of the situation. Beyond any doubt, the water shortage is arguably one of the most crucial problems Cyprus has to deal with. It is a fact that a specific formula to get rid of this problem does not exist. Prosperity can be only achieved by proper policies and accurate practices and sustainable management of water resources should be considered.