The delusive accuracy of global irrigation water withdrawal estimates
Arnald Puy, Razi Sheikholeslami, Hoshin V. Gupta, Jim W. Hall, Bruce Lankford, Samuele Lo Piano, Jonas Meier, Florian Pappenberger, Amilcare Porporato, Giulia Vico, Andrea Saltelli
Abstract
Miscalculating the volumes of water withdrawn for irrigation, the largest consumer of freshwater in the world, jeopardizes sustainable water management. Hydrological models quantify water withdrawals, but their estimates are unduly precise. Model imperfections need to be appreciated to avoid policy misjudgements.
Topics & Concepts
Environmental scienceIrrigationWater resource managementNatural resource economicsBusinessEnvironmental resource managementHydrology (agriculture)EcologyBiologyEconomicsGeologyGeotechnical engineeringWater resources management and optimizationWater-Energy-Food Nexus StudiesHydrology and Watershed Management Studies