http://hdl.handle.net/10451/3308 2013-05-22T07:01:10Z 2013-05-22T07:01:10Z Stigter, Tibor Bento, Sofia Varanda, Marta Pedro Nunes, João Pedro Hugman, Rui http://hdl.handle.net/10451/8347 2013-04-19T17:05:21Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Combined assessment of climate change and socio-economic development as drivers of freshwater availability in the South of Portugal Authors: Stigter, Tibor; Bento, Sofia; Varanda, Marta Pedro; Nunes, João Pedro; Hugman, Rui Abstract: A combined assessment of the potential impacts from climate change (CC) and socio-economic development (SED) on water resources is presented for a large aquifer in the south of Portugal, under large pressures from water consuming and contaminating activities. We aim to understand how this may further be aggravated by CC and SED, particularly for agriculture, the largest water consumer in the region. Short-term (2020-2050) and long-term (2070-2100) CC scenarios were developed and used to build aquifer recharge and crop water demand scenarios, using different models and methods to account for uncertainty. SED scenarios were developed using a number of techniques, and discussed at workshops with farmers and institutional stakeholders in the water sector. Groundwater use was quantified for each scenario and then integrated with the CC scenarios. They were run through a calibrated groundwater flow model, to study their individual and joint impacts on water levels and discharge rates into the bordering coastal estuary where relevant freshwater dependent wetlands exist. Recharge scenarios show clearly negative long-term trends, but high uncertainties in the short-term. Scenario SED1 predicting intensification and decline of small farms, considered by stakeholders to be most likely, shows a large drop in agricultural area and water demand. SED2, the most desired scenario, foresees growth and modernization of agriculture, but could be unsustainable in combination with CC. The joint analysis of CC and SED revealed to be challenging but useful. It involved the use of different methods across the border between natural and social sciences, aiming to contribute to transdisciplinary water management.

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Varanda, Marta Bento, Sofia http://hdl.handle.net/10451/8278 2013-04-12T16:46:27Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Scientists and stakeholders: can two separate worlds be joined for sustainable water management? Authors: Varanda, Marta; Bento, Sofia Abstract: According to the International Council for Science, science should be developed for the benefit of all. In face of complex environmental problems and of a need for the sustainable management of water, answers are increasingly requested from science. A science that can face such challenge must be constructed in cooperation with policy makers and society (hence enlarging the traditional scientific sphere), and its product must be effectively linked to policy. However, these new forms of science production always raise a number of obstacles: differences in interests, incentives and languages among these actors. These obstacles are further increased when the scientific issues are of low social relevance, which is the case with climate change. This paper focuses a set of scientific projects financed by Circle–Med programme which dealt with management of hydrological resources in the Mediterranean region in a context of climate change. In this call, a strong appeal was made for research to be pursued in collaboration with local stakeholders and for the interdisciplinary of teams, as to include social science researchers. After the analysis of research projects’ documents and interviews to coordinators, we conclude that the liaison to stakeholders has a very secondary role (and is often not even considered) in the scientific outputs. The current organization of science and public administration, as well as its under financing and focus on short term goals, was unanimously considered to be strong deterrents of the collaboration of science and society.

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Schmidt, Luísa, 1955- Prista, Pedro Gomes, Carla Guerreiro, Susana http://hdl.handle.net/10451/7885 2013-03-04T14:52:32Z 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Mudança costeira em Portugal: perceções das comunidades, justiça social e democratização Authors: Schmidt, Luísa, 1955-; Prista, Pedro; Gomes, Carla; Guerreiro, Susana

2013-01-01T00:00:00Z Granjo, Paulo, 1963- Schmidt, Luísa, 1955- Gomes, Carla Guerreiro, Susana http://hdl.handle.net/10451/7641 2013-02-04T19:37:33Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: "Alguém dirá o que fazer" - (im)preparação face às ameaças costeiras Authors: Granjo, Paulo, 1963-; Schmidt, Luísa, 1955-; Gomes, Carla; Guerreiro, Susana Abstract: A resposta a emergências no quadro da estrutura de protecção civil pressupõe o progressivo envolvimento de meios, por patamares, desde o nível local ao nacional, passando pelo concelhio e distrital. O envolvimento de meios (e a assunção do comando) por parte de um nível territorial mais amplo deverá resultar, por sua vez, de pedido do nível territorial precedente, que considere esgotada a sua capacidade de resposta à situação. A resposta eficaz a calamidades, por parte de uma estrutura deste tipo, pressuporia entretanto o conhecimento, ao nível dos vários patamares, dos planos existentes e das formas de actuação previstas. No entanto, o caso de uma zona costeira próxima de Lisboa e significativamente vulnerável a inundações vindas do mar não corresponde, de todo, a tais requisitos. A um nível local, as autoridades costeiras e as instituições existentes pressupõem que existirá algum plano de emergência municipal para o caso de galgamentos graves ou tsunamis, mas não têm conhecimento dele, nem de qual se espera seja a sua actuação. Assumem apenas que, em caso de necessidade, lhes sejam dadas ordens claras e adequadas, e tenham capacidade para as porem em prática. A um nível distrital, o comando da protecção civil assume não ter conhecimento ou preparação para responder a ameaças vindas do mar, pressupondo também a existência de algum plano concelhio de emergência e evacuação, e que terá capacidade para fornecer os meios necessários, em caso de necessidade. A um nível nacional, a autoridade de protecção civil privilegia abordagens preventivas e proactivas, mas reconhece as limitações que enfrenta para, inclusivamente, fazer respeitar as suas recomendações de que não seja autorizada nova construção nas zonas costeiras de risco.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z