Project Prof. Dr. Olaf Bubenzer
Global Change and Globalization are closely connected. Shortage of essential resources is an important issue. Climate models predict changes in the rainfall distribution and therefore also changes in the availability of surface water, soil and ground water. The project will investigate exemplarily the key resource freshwater which is of highest relevance for future developments (i.e. climate, food, global trade). In close cooperation with the fellows Ute Mager and Werner Aeschbach-Hertig, the project aims in an integrative researching regarding physical (quantity and regeneration of water resources), geographical (spatial distribution of water resources) and judicial (equitable regulation of water distribution) aspects.
Initially, an unequal distribution of water is typical on earth. However, human activities and climate change have strong influences and therefore, the distribution of water is partly controllable by law. In which kind natural or anthropogenic factors influence and change the distribution of water and to what extent adaptation and compensation are possible are important questions on different spatial scales. Water scarcity appears on a regional scale but it develops and exacerbates due to global changes.
Dealing with fossil (not renewable) ground water resources is also a crucial issue. Fossil ground water is often used in dry regions to balance water scarcity and it is detectable by scientific methods. However, water management practices generating rapid profits but are not sustainable and are not easy changeable. Various legal questions arise, i.e. engaging people to achieve a sustainable water use.
Water conflicts are also closely connected with this topic. Therefore, understanding reasons for impending water conflicts and finding strategies to solve water conflicts, i.e. by international agreements, are other important issues.
The project will firstly concentrate on the impacts of land use changes on the water resources of the sensitive arid belt from North Africa to
