The pretext of foresight to debate on irrigation groundwater management: lessons from six cases studies in France

International audienceThe transcription of the 2000’s European Water Framework Directive in France has led to define maximum volumes that can be abstracted in water bodies. In many French contexts, it requires reducing more or less drastically current water consumption, especially in agriculture where farmers were granted permits by the water policy authority, regardless the real level of water availability. To do so, French water law imposes, where water bodies are structurally in water scarcity, to create irrigation associations charged to share available water between farmers. And the challenge is particularly high in the groundwater case, where farmers are not embedded in collective irrigation schemes. Sharing rules have then to be designed from the ground up.This communication presents and critics the way that innovative management instruments were explored in six cases’ studies representative of the diversity of agricultural products and hydrogeological situations. These instruments were debated during 18 foresight workshops held with institutional representatives (50) and farmers (87). Foresight workshops had the advantages to make credible institutional and resource changes, and to retrieve from current but side-debates. In five cases, researchers took the lead of these workshops, and in the last one it was directly carried by a stakeholder (an Agriculture Chamber), which allows to test the transferability of such a method in real context with a direct implementing goal.Lessons are drawn at several levels. Firstly, debating on contrasted scenarios is a robust way to facilitate discussions on something not implemented yet in France. Secondly, the context highly matters, in particular the perception of the reality of groundwater scarcitylevel. Thirdly, to debate on groundwater management tools has to be firstly embedded in a more general discussion, on the future of agriculture or at least on more broadly water challenges (like in terms of quantity and quality)

Distinct and combined impacts of climate and land use scenarios on water availability and sediment loads for a water supply reservoir in northern Morocco

The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of climate and land use changes on water availability and sediment loads for a water supply reservoir in northern Morocco using data-intensive simulation models in a data-scarce region. Impacts were assessed by comparing the simulated water and sediment entering the reservoir between the future period 2031e2050 and the 1983e2010 reference period. Three scenarios of land use change and two scenarios of climate change were developed in the Tleta watershed. Simulations under current and future conditions were performed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. The simulations showed that climate change will lead to a significant decrease in the annual water supply to the reservoir ( 16.9% and 27.5%) and in the annual volume of sediment entering the reservoir ( 7.4% and 12.6%), depending on the climate change scenarios tested. The three scenarios of land use change will lead to a moderate change in annual water inflow into the reservoir (between 6.7% and þ6.2%), while causing a significant decrease in sediment entering the reservoir ( 37% to 24%). The combined impacts of climate and land use changes will cause a reduction in annual water availability ( 9.9% to 33.3%) and sediment supplies ( 28.7% to 45.8%). As a result, the lifetime of the reservoir will be extended, but at the same time, the risk of water shortages will increase, especially from July to March. Therefore, alternative water resources must be considered.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Benefits of adapting to sea level rise : the importance of ecosystem services in the French Mediterranean sandy coastline

This article proposes an innovative approach to assess the benefits of adapting to sea level rise (SLR) in a coastal area on a regional scale. The valuation framework integrates coastal ecosystem services, together with urban and agricultural assets. We simulate the impacts of a progressive 1 m rise in sea level in the twenty-first century and an extreme flooding event in 2100 for four contrasted adaptation scenarios (Denial, “Laissez-faire”, Protection and Retreat). The assessment involves coupling the results of hazard-modelling approaches with different economic valuation methods, including direct damage functions and methods used in environmental economics. The framework is applied to the French Mediterranean sandy coastline. SLR will result in major land-use changes at the 2100 time horizon: relocation or densification of urban areas, loss of agricultural land, increase in lagoon areas and modification of wetlands (losses, migration or extension of ecosystems). Total benefits of public adaptation options planned in advance could reach €31.2 billion for the period 2010–2100, i.e. €69,000 per inhabitant (in the study area) in 2010 or €135 million/km of coastline. Our results highlight the importance of (i) raising awareness to ensure that public services and coastal managers can anticipate the consequences of SLR and (ii) incorporating coastal ecosystems into the assessment of the adaptation options. Our findings could provide a basis for participatory foresight approaches to build coastline adaptation pathways.PostprintPeer reviewe

Evolution of coastal zone vulnerability to marine inundation in a global change context. Application to Languedoc Roussillon (France)

The coastal system is likely to suffer increasing costal risk in a global change context. Its management implies to consider those risks in a holistic approach of the different vulnerability components of the coastal zone, by improving knowledge of hazard and exposure as well as analyzing and quantifying present day and future territory vulnerability. The ANR/VMC2007/MISEEVA project (2008-2011) has applied this approach on Languedoc Roussillon region in France. MISEEVA approach relies on several scenarios for 2030 and 2100, in terms of meteorology (driver of coastal hazard), sea level rise, and also considering further trends in demography and economy, and possible adaption strategies Hazard has been modeled (SWAN, MARS and SURFWB), on the base of the presentday situation, sea level rise hypotheses, and existing or modeled data, of extreme meteorological driving f. It allowed to assess the possible surges ranges and map coastal zone exposure to: - a permanent inundation (considering sea level rise in 2030 and 2100, - a recurrent inundation (considering sea level rise and extreme tidal range) - an exceptional inundation (adding extreme storm surge to sea level rise and tidal range). In 2030, exposure will be comparable to present day exposure. In 2100, extreme condition will affect a larger zone. Present days social and economic components of the coastal zone have been analyzed in terms of vulnerability and potential damaging. Adaptation capacity was approached by public inquiries and interviews of stakeholders and policy makers, based on existing planning documents The knowledge of the present day system is then compared to the possible management strategies that could be chosen in the future, so to imagine what would be the evolution of vulnerability to marine inundation, in regards to these possible strategies

Economie de la soutenabilité et protection des eaux souterraines

This thesis deals with economic approaches applied to groundwater protection issues. It has been prepared in view of obtaining a PhD in Economics through the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE). The first section describes my professional and scientific career path, through the different applied research projects I have been involved in, the resulting scientific papers, as well as the training activities and the main scientific collaborations. My research work mobilises concepts and tools mainly from environmental and natural resource economics, adapting them to the specificities of groundwater and aquifers (temporal and spatial scale), combining them with approaches from other research fields (hydrogeological modelling, LUCC modelling, socio-cultural approaches) and with the participation of local stakeholders throughout the process (workshops, interviews, surveys). The second section summarises this work around its contributions to the four principles of sustainability economics: (i) a systemic approach integrating human activities and aquifers; (ii) long term consideration; (iii) cost-effectiveness approaches applied to groundwater quality restoration; and (iv) consideration of the inter-, intra-generational and physiocentric justice dimensions in the evaluation of the benefits associated with groundwater protection. For each of these principles, the document describes the scientific approaches developed and applied in different territories, the results and the main lessons learned, based on published scientific papers. In line with this work, my research perspectives for the next 3-5 years are organised around three axes: (1) integrated assessment of land use change scenarios in terms of costs, effects on groundwater, ecosystem services and negative effects in a perspective of value pluralism; (2) spatial heterogeneity of individual preferences for different groundwater protection scenarios, e.g. along an urban-rural gradient and through the formalisation of the urban-environmental paradox; and (3) the different dimensions of social and environmental justice in groundwater protection programmes.Ce mémoire porte sur les approches économiques en réponse aux problématiques associées à la protection des eaux souterraines. Il a été préparé en vue de l’obtention du doctorat en Sciences Economiques par la Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience (VAE). La première section retrace l’évolution de mon parcours professionnel et scientifique, au travers des différents projets de recherche appliquée sur lesquels je me suis impliquée, les publications qui en ont résulté, ainsi que les activités de formations et les principales collaborations scientifiques. Mes travaux de recherche mobilisent les concepts et outils principalement issus de l’économie de l’environnement et des ressources naturelles, en les adaptant aux spécificités des eaux souterraines et des aquifères (échelle de temps et d’espace), en les combinant avec des approches issues d’autres disciplines (modélisation hydrogéologique, modélisation des changements d’usage des sols, approches socio-culturelles) et avec la participation des acteurs des territoires étudiés tout au long de la démarche (ateliers, entretiens, enquêtes). La seconde section résume ces travaux en les organisant autour de leurs apports aux quatre principes de l’économie de la soutenabilité : (i) une approche systémique intégrant activités humaines et aquifères, (ii) la prise en compte du temps long, (iii) les approches coût-efficacité appliquées aux programmes de restauration de la qualité des eaux souterraines et (iv) la prise en compte des dimensions de justice inter, intra-générationnelle et intrinsèque à la nature dans l’évaluation des bénéfices associés à la protection des eaux souterraines. Pour chacun de ces principes, le mémoire décrit les démarches scientifiques développées et appliquées sur différents territoires, les résultats et les principaux enseignements associés en s’appuyant sur des articles scientifiques publiés. Mes perspectives de recherche sur les 3-5 ans à venir s’inscrivent dans la continuité de ces travaux et s’organisent autour de trois axes : (1) l’évaluation intégrée de scénarios d’évolution des usages du sol en termes de coûts, d’effets sur les eaux souterraines, de services écosystémiques et d’effets négatifs dans une perspective de pluralisme des valeurs ; (2) l’hétérogénéité spatiale des préférences individuelles pour différents scénarios de protection des eaux souterraines, par exemple le long d’un gradient urbain-rural et à travers la formalisation du paradoxe urbain-environnemental ; et (3) les différentes dimensions de justice sociale et environnementale dans les programmes de protection des eaux souterraines

Economie de la soutenabilité et protection des eaux souterraines

This thesis deals with economic approaches applied to groundwater protection issues. It has been prepared in view of obtaining a PhD in Economics through the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE). The first section describes my professional and scientific career path, through the different applied research projects I have been involved in, the resulting scientific papers, as well as the training activities and the main scientific collaborations. My research work mobilises concepts and tools mainly from environmental and natural resource economics, adapting them to the specificities of groundwater and aquifers (temporal and spatial scale), combining them with approaches from other research fields (hydrogeological modelling, LUCC modelling, socio-cultural approaches) and with the participation of local stakeholders throughout the process (workshops, interviews, surveys). The second section summarises this work around its contributions to the four principles of sustainability economics: (i) a systemic approach integrating human activities and aquifers; (ii) long term consideration; (iii) cost-effectiveness approaches applied to groundwater quality restoration; and (iv) consideration of the inter-, intra-generational and physiocentric justice dimensions in the evaluation of the benefits associated with groundwater protection. For each of these principles, the document describes the scientific approaches developed and applied in different territories, the results and the main lessons learned, based on published scientific papers. In line with this work, my research perspectives for the next 3-5 years are organised around three axes: (1) integrated assessment of land use change scenarios in terms of costs, effects on groundwater, ecosystem services and negative effects in a perspective of value pluralism; (2) spatial heterogeneity of individual preferences for different groundwater protection scenarios, e.g. along an urban-rural gradient and through the formalisation of the urban-environmental paradox; and (3) the different dimensions of social and environmental justice in groundwater protection programmes.Ce mémoire porte sur les approches économiques en réponse aux problématiques associées à la protection des eaux souterraines. Il a été préparé en vue de l'obtention du doctorat en Sciences Economiques par la Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE). La première section retrace l'évolution de mon parcours professionnel et scientifique, au travers des différents projets de recherche appliquée sur lesquels je me suis impliquée, les publications qui en ont résulté, ainsi que les activités de formations et les principales collaborations scientifiques. Mes travaux de recherche mobilisent les concepts et outils principalement issus de l'économie de l'environnement et des ressources naturelles, en les adaptant aux spécificités des eaux souterraines et des aquifères (échelle de temps et d'espace), en les combinant avec des approches issues d'autres disciplines (modélisation hydrogéologique, modélisation des changements d'usage des sols, approches socio-culturelles) et avec la participation des acteurs des territoires étudiés tout au long de la démarche (ateliers, entretiens, enquêtes). La seconde section résume ces travaux en les organisant autour de leurs apports aux quatre principes de l'économie de la soutenabilité : (i) une approche systémique intégrant activités humaines et aquifères, (ii) la prise en compte du temps long, (iii) les approches coût-efficacité appliquées aux programmes de restauration de la qualité des eaux souterraines et (iv) la prise en compte des dimensions de justice inter, intra-générationnelle et intrinsèque à la nature dans l'évaluation des bénéfices associés à la protection des eaux souterraines. Pour chacun de ces principes, le mémoire décrit les démarches scientifiques développées et appliquées sur différents territoires, les résultats et les principaux enseignements associés en s'appuyant sur des articles scientifiques publiés. Mes perspectives de recherche sur les 3-5 ans à venir s'inscrivent dans la continuité de ces travaux et s'organisent autour de trois axes : (1) l'évaluation intégrée de scénarios d'évolution des usages du sol en termes de coûts, d'effets sur les eaux souterraines, de services écosystémiques et d'effets négatifs dans une perspective de pluralisme des valeurs ; (2) l'hétérogénéité spatiale des préférences individuelles pour différents scénarios de protection des eaux souterraines, par exemple le long d'un gradient urbain-rural et à travers la formalisation du paradoxe urbain-environnemental ; et (3) les différentes dimensions de justice sociale et environnementale dans les programmes de protection des eaux souterraines

Inégalités environnementales et hétérogénéité des préférences pour les solutions fondées sur la nature

This article analyses the influence of environmental inequalities on people’s preferences for Nature-based Solutions aiming at reducing flooding risks. The approach is based on the spatial analysis of three forms of environmental inequalities (access, exposure and distributional inequalities), and their influence on the preference profiles of 399 residents of the Lez catchment. The results show that preferences are spatially heterogeneous and influenced by these inequalities observed along an urban-rural gradient. We recommend analysing these environmental inequalities when designing Nature-based Solutions to improve their consideration in public policies

Prise en compte des services dépendants des aquifères dans les démarches d’évaluation des services écosystémiques - Rapport final

Les aquifères jouent un rôle important pour la fourniture de plusieurs services aux activités humaines, parmi lesquels le stockage et la production naturelle d’eau de qualité (pour l’approvisionnement en eau potable, l’irrigation, …), l’alimentation en eau des milieux aquatiques associés, la régulation des inondations, mais également la géothermie et des services récréatifs. Nous qualifierons ces services de services dépendants des aquifères. Pourtant, les aquifères sont relativement peu intégrés dans les évaluations de services écosystémiques, notamment dans le cadre du programme EFESE . L’absence de prise en compte des aquifères dans ces travaux d’évaluation peut avoir plusieurs conséquences : d’une part une mauvaise évaluation des niveaux de services écosystémiques, lorsqu’ils sont in fine dépendants des aquifères, d’autre part un faible niveau de protection des eaux souterraines lors de la conception et les choix de politiques publiques environnementales si ceux-ci reposent sur les démarches d’évaluation des services écosystémiques ne considérant pas ces ressources. Ceci est d’autant plus important dans le contexte du changement climatique et de la pression qu’il va exercer sur les ressources en eau. En réponse à ce constat, un schéma conceptuel permettant d’articuler écosystèmes, aquifères et services dépendants des aquifères, mais également de relier les écosystèmes aux populations bénéficiaires des services dépendants des aquifères est proposé. Trois services sont considérés: (i) le stockage et la production naturelle d’eau de qualité, (ii) l’alimentation en eau des écosystèmes de surface associés, et (iii) la régulation des inondations. Ce cadre conceptuel souligne les spécificités de l’évaluation des services dépendants des aquifères par rapport à d’autres services écosystémiques. Ce rapport recommande la prise en compte des aquifères pour l’évaluation des services liés à l’eau dans les futurs travaux d’évaluation des services écosystémiques, de manière à être plus pertinents dans l’évaluation de ces services, protéger les ressources en eaux souterraines, et favoriser les synergies entre protection de la biodiversité, lutte contre le changement climatique, aménagement du territoire et protection de la ressource en eau

Introducing nature into cities or preserving existing peri-urban ecosystems? Analysis of preferences in a rapidly urbanizing catchment

International audienceNature-based solutions (NBS) are increasingly being promoted as a means to address societal and environmental challenges, especially flood risk reduction. In the context of rapidly urbanizing catchments, NBS can take part of the development of sustainable cities, either by conserving peri-urban ecosystems from urban sprawl or by developing green infrastructure in the cities. Both can provide a wide range of co-benefits (e.g., climate regulation, air quality regulation), but also generate some negative effects (e.g., mobility issues, unsafety, allergens). We develop and implement a Discrete Choice Experiment survey to analyse people’s perception of co-benefits and negative effects, and associated preferences for the two types of NBS at a catchment scale. The results obtained from 400 households living in a French Mediterranean catchment highlight that people associate numerous co-benefits to NBS, but also negative effects. Our estimations reveal that resident households are ready to contribute large amounts through a tax increase for the development of NBS (from 140 to 180 EUR/year, on average). There is however a strong heterogeneity of preferences at the catchment scale influenced by income, location of the respondent along an urban–rural gradient, and perception of the importance of ecosystem services. These differences may reflect urban environmental inequalities at the catchment scale, which are important to take into account in order to avoid distributive inequalities

Stratégies d'adaptation et dommages potentiels face à la submersion marine en Languedoc-Roussillon.

International audienc