Water appropriation by different actors becomes controversial when it involves scarce water resources that support livelihoods, food security, or environmental functions. To date, some of the unique institutional and hydrological conditions that underlie water appropriations have not been fully recognized, which hinders the development of effective policies and governance mechanisms to safeguard the rights of those whose access to water is diminished by such appropriations. Previous research has often concentrated on water appropriations through land investments or water infrastructure while neglecting other subtler mechanisms associated with pollution, changes in land use, afforestation, land-atmosphere interactions, and irrigation technology. These methods frequently contribute to the reduction of water access for prior users, including rural communities, indigenous populations, women, and the environment, ultimately playing a pivotal role in eroding livelihoods, cultural identity, and environmental needs. This seminar will explore the relationship between water tenure arrangements and these overlooked hydrological mechanisms of water appropriation to critically assess their impact on water access.
Recommended Readings:
Chiarelli, D. D., D’Odorico, P., Müller, M. F., Mueller, N. D., Davis, K. F., Dell’Angelo, J., ... & Rulli, M. C. (2022). Competition for water induced by transnational land acquisitions for agriculture. Nature Communications, 13(1), 505 [link]
Jenkins, W., Rosa, L., Schmidt, J., Band, L., Beltran-Peña, A., Clarens, A., ... & D'Odorico, P. (2021). Values-based scenarios of water security: Rights to water, rights of waters, and commercial water rights. BioScience, 71(11), pp. 1157-1170 [link]
Tatlhego, M., & D’Odorico, P. (2022). Are African irrigation dam projects for large-scale agribusiness or small-scale farmers? Environmental Research Communications, 4(1), 015005 [link]
You can register for this session here.
0.5 ECTS credits after participation to more than 80% of the sessions and engagement with assigned readings