RÉSUMÉ
The main objectives of the project have been addressed by combining a European modelling approach with case study analysis and regional (local) knowledge of water demand and water availability considering climate change as well as socio-economic developments. An integrated assessment for entire Europe was performed under the consideration of different scenarios and climate change projections. This large-scale perspective allows indicating regions which are potentially vulnerable to climate change and furthermore to identify regional adaptation measures which could be promoted at the EU level. Additionally three case studies were selected across Europe to investigate changes in hydrologic regimes, water availability and sectoral water use. These case studies are focusing on three different water management issues in three different regions.
In the first case study, the influence of climate change on the hydromorphological conditions according to the WFD were evaluated for a section of the Eder River (Germany). The objective of his case study was to examine whether the environmental WFD objectives can be achieved in a typical river section considering climate change impacts.
The second case study investigated water management, especially drinking water provision, and flood alleviation in the Seine river basin (France), which is partly based on the operation of artificial reservoirs. Scenarios were developed linking the impact of climate change on water resources an changes in water demand and its management.
The third case study assesses the quantitative effects of climate change on water balance components and water use in the agricultural sector of the Italian Apulia region, in order to support the adoption of adaptation measures. Actually, in the Apulia region agriculture still remains the primary user of water and the primary economical resource.