Vulnerability of water systems: a comprehensive framework for its assessment and identification of adaptation strategies

Abstract

AbstractMost climate projections predict that average surface temperature and precipitation variability will increase at the global scale, triggering hydrological variations and alterations in river flows and groundwater table levels. Climate change impacts on freshwater resources are likely to affect freshwater availability and quality and by extension, the ability of water systems to support natural processes and ensure population needs. As a result, the vulnerability of water systems to adverse conditions (e.g. water shortages, overexploitation, and quality deterioration) is intensified; hence, methods and tools for vulnerability assessment and identification of adaptation measures are necessary. This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for the assessment of water systems’ vulnerability to adverse water related conditions and the identification of potential adaptation strategies. The proposed methodology is applied in the four study site areas of the FP7 COROADO project (selected river basins in A...