Conference Program > Workshop "Ecosystem Services and Multi-Functionality of Irrigation and Drainage Systems" (WG ENV ws)(14/10/2015)

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General Information

Side event title: "Ecosystem Services and Multi-Functionality of Irrigation and Drainage Systems”

Date and time slot: Wednesday, 14th of October, 2015,  9:-12:30

Side event organizer: ICID Working group on Environment (WG ENV)

Contact: Sylvain Perret

Content of the session

Introduction:  Irrigation and drainage systems worldwide interact with complex, dynamic and diverse environments which include physical, chemical, ecological, climatic, social, human and economic dimensions. Environmental sustainability is a moving target which evolves as the complexities of the ‘Nature’ unfold, as new societal challenges emerge. The three pillars of ‘Green Revolution’, - high yielding varieties, chemical inputs like fertilizer and pesticides, and irrigation – have had a definite positive outcome in terms of increased food production, which prevented hunger in many parts of the world. But it also had negative impacts on the environment. The way water in general and water for agriculture in particular is managed, may harm the environment in a variety of ways: groundwater depletion; land degradation and water contamination; depletion of resources; and loss of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and habitats. However, most irrigation and drainage systems also produce a number of goods, services and positive amenities, which benefit local communities and societies at large. 

ICID has long been concerned with the environmental impacts of irrigation and has been addressing the issues. In order to bank upon, the ICID Working Group on Environment (WG-ENV) was established in 2008 with the objective to provide guidance to policy makers, planners, designers, and managers in the irrigation and drainage sector on the environmental aspects of drainage and irrigation systems. Those aspects encompass environmental, social, and economic impacts of agricultural water systems, both positive and negative ones.