A Modeling Infrastructure Based on SWAT for the Assessment of Water and Soil Resources

Abstract

Many regions around the world, and the Mediterranean basin is just one example, are characterized by scarcity of water and limited productive soils. Agricultural practices in such areas are being based on the intensive use of fertilizers and on the use of limited water resources. Contamination levels in water bodies, both ground and surface waters in Mediterranean countries, are found to be increasing and local and regional authorities are now facing this awkward environmental problem.

In the frame of the regional TESTARE and of the EU SUPREME funded projects, we aim at supporting the set up of a sustainable agricultural production frame, addressing vulnerable communities living in semi-arid and arid areas within the Mediterranean. The scope is to progress web-based observation systems through the integration of state-of-the-art leading edge characterization, monitoring and modeling tools. The modeling infrastructure is being build and here presented to analyze the water, sediment and nutrient cycle at the catchment’s scale, and crop growth. In this work, we particularly address the problem of agricultural drought and the impact of agriculture on water quality in Sardinia (Italy, Europe). Local communities have been increasingly challenged by water scarcity that is lowering agricultural productivity. Different soils and crops are considered in the test site.