Abstract
This study demonstrates a new nature-based solution (NBS) project in agriculture, the ‘Karla’ reservoir in Central Greece, a unique example at European scale, of a lake ecosystem which was dried and is now restored with the purpose to maximize the efficiency of water provision in agriculture and biodiversity enhancement. In this article, we present: (a) The historical developments from the existence of the old natural Lake Karla until the reconstruction of the homonymous artificial reservoir, (b) the environmental and economic benefits that the new project delivers, and (c) the governance and management mechanisms that can ensure the efficient operation of the project. The analysis shows that the reconstructed Lake Karla can serve as a multi-purpose project to combat water scarcity, achieving a twofold crop yield production and respective agricultural income in the surrounding area, securing the coverage of the water supply needs of the closest city, improving the status of groundwater resources, developing a natural shelter for biodiversity and emerging recreation and touristic opportunities. At the same time, its construction and operation costs can be recovered, and the proposed governance plan can ensure the viability of the whole project inspiring similar multi-purpose water retention projects for investment in agriculture and the environment in southern Europe but also in other water scarce regions.
Highlights
The European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that member states ensure that water bodies achieve “good status for surface and groundwater” [1]
Karla basin suffers more from water scarcity than any other subregions within Pinios basin with an annual precipitation of 560 mm is by far the water representing average annual precipitation of[14]
Among the results of interest are the monthly/annual flows of the Pinios River, the irrigation amounts applied to the agricultural areas along with the crop yields, as well as the water budget of Lake Karla in Scenario A in the study area
Summary
The European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that member states ensure that water bodies achieve “good status for surface and groundwater” [1]. This implies that no environmental degradation occurs, and sustainability is restored or maintained. The main sector responsible for water bodies’ degradation in southern Europe is agriculture, accounting for around 80% of total water use [2]. Karla basin suffers more from water scarcity than any other subregions within Pinios basin with an annual precipitation of 560 mm is by far the water representing average annual precipitation of[14]. Agriculture is main by far the consumer main water consumer of the annual water demand in the Pinios basin, with irrigated land covering half of the total representing 90–95% of the annual water demand in the Pinios basin, with irrigated land covering cultivated area (400,000 ha)
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