Rodewald Raimund

WATER CHANNELS The traditional irrigation culture using water channels as model for sustainable water management
Wasserkanäle-ein Modell für nachhaltige Wassernutzung

Project Number: 406140_125900

Project Type:	Research_Project
Project Duration:	04/01/2010 - 03/31/2014 project completed
Funding Source:	SNSF ,
Project Leader:	Dr. Raimund Rodewald Geschäftsleiter SL-FP, Stiftung Landschaftsschutz Schweiz Schwarzenburgstrasse 11 3007 Bern Phone: +41 (0) 31 377 00 77 FAX: +41 (0) 31 377 00 78 e-Mail: r.rodewald(at)sl-fp.ch http://www.sl-fp.ch

related to this project.

for which the project has a relevance.

Research Areas:

Landscape

Disciplines:

Political sciences
environmental sciences
Science of management

Keywords:
water channel, irrigation techniques, water use rights, biodiversity, institutional regimes

Abstract:
Water channels for biodiversity and tourism
In arid regions, water channels are mostly used for irrigation purposes. Agriculture and tourism benefit from these channels, and biodiversity is expected to increase. Can reactivated water channels function as a model for future sustainable water use, when water will become scarcer in arid alpine valleys?
Background
In arid alpine valleys, meadows are nowadays often irrigated with sprinklers rather than by means of traditional water channels. These modified irrigation methods probably lead to a decrease in the number of animal and plant species in meadows. Mountain forests also suffer from the shutdown of these water channels. In future, water channels can be used to support biodiversity as well as to promote tourism. In former times, water channels were linked to cooperative exploitation rights. Today, these rights have however often been given up and would have to be renewed, if water channels were to be preserved or reactivated.
Objectives and methods
This research project aims to demonstrate the ecological and socio-cultural significance of the historical water channels and traditional meadow management. We will study the influences of open water channels on mountain forests and the surrounding vegetation. We will also evaluate the historically-transmitted and often cooperative ownership and exploitation rights. On this basis, we will develop a model for sustainable water use linked to irrigation in arid mountain regions.
Significance
The results are especially important for arid regions with diminishing water resources. A decisional basis will be provided, so that water can be democratically distributed in agriculture, and biodiversity can be maintained. The results could also help to adjust direct agricultural payments.

Source of Information: NF Import 2010


Last update: 12/23/16
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-406140_125900

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