Sabine McCallum (UBA-A) Benno Hain (UBA-DE)

1. Adaptation to Climate Change Impacts and Water Resource Problems in the European Alps- Lessons Learned from Regional Case Studies - Sabine McCallum (UBA-A) Benno Hain (UBA-DE)

2. Criteriaforselectingregionsforcasestudies • Possibly existing or planned adaptation strategies with regard to water resources problems • Expressed interest of the authorities in adaptation to water resource problems • Case study region is specifically exposed to / affected by water resources problems (shortages, quality) in the European Alps • If available, historical climate records and results from regional climate models • If available, data records and scenarios on impacts of climate change • Contact persons as multiplier for affected departments, sectors or groups available • Relevance to serve as a reference for one of the chosen perspectives (European, Sectoral, Regional) and typical for the climatic zone

3. Main problems with water resources in Vallais, Switzerland • In general, no current problem because of high water buffer capacity in the snow, glacier and as groundwater to compensate summer drought. Visible effects of water shortage below 1000m. Less water available during winter time. • In future, no glacier melt water in summer to compensate summer drought, with unknown effects on groundwater levels in the valley floor • Increasing sectoral effects and observations:Agriculture: summer irrigation by groundwater or melt water is needed Drinking water: drinking water comes from groundwater and springs at higher altitudeForestry: already occurs the death of Scots pine, substituted by pubescent oakHydropower: siltation and damage of infrastructure by erosion particlesNatural hazards: forest fires, land slides, mudflows and soil erosion increaseTourism: expert interview still missing

4. Existing main adaptation measures • Agriculture: water saving by new irrigation or frost protection technologies • Drinking water: inter-local connection of water supply infrastructure • Forestry: growing of adapted trees to reduce risks (fire, land slides, avalanches) • Hydropower: installation of decentralised small river power plants • Natural hazards: technological protection and protection forests • Tourism: expert interview still missing

5. Lessons learned (preliminary) • No common understanding of “adaptation to CC” • No communication networks between communities to deal with water problems • Measures as response to climate change are accepted because of existing traditions, rules and laws • Future strategic planning is hampered because of lacking risk awareness, unclear responsibilities and poor management structures • Actual knowledge about specific effects of climate change is not valid enough for concrete planning • Estimated vulnerability is medium to high, because concrete adaptation measures as responses to future risks and communication nets are general missing

6. Main problems with water resources in Lavant valley, A • Location:River Lavant valley, southern Alps, Carinthia – Wolfsberg and St.Andrä • Conditions: - average precipitation low – decreased by 15-20% between 1900-2001- water shortage problems during hot summers - anticipated CC impacts may lead to severe problems in water supply due to higher variability in precipitation regimes, less and shorter snow cover, higher temperatures with higher evaporation • Main sectors affected:- Drinking Water, Forestry, Agriculture, (Tourism) • Information based on results from Interreg project ClimChAlp (including scenarios) and Stakeholder interviews

7. Existing main adaptation measures • Water supply:- Statewide water supply strategy providing data about water availability and water demand on a regional scale, in place since 1984- Establishment of water association network Lavant valley as a response to recurring water supply shortages, connecting water supplies of 4 municipalities to better cope with local water shortages- Water saving measures – pro-active awareness raising on reducing water consumption for communities • Forestry (forest cover amounts 40-50% of the total area with 72% Norway spruce):- Financial support program to promote locally adapted tree species and development of mixed forest stands- Working groups for knowledge and experience exchange on management of mixed stands

8. Main problems with water resources - KATER, A • Location:North-Eastern calcareous Alps; area provides 95% of the drinking water for Vienna • Conditions: - karstic aquifers are highly vulnerable to CC impacts due to karst topography in terms of hydrological characteristics and water quality- in case of e.g. heavy rainfalls high rates of sediments are mobilized causing water turbidity that cannot be filtered out within short time of discharge- water quality is further effected by various land use activities in the spring protection areas • Main sectors affected:- Drinking Water, Forestry, Tourism • Information based on results from EU KATER I+II project, literature review and stakeholder interviews

9. Existing main adaptation measures • Water supply:- Intensive data collection building up a monitoring system (geology, hydrological circle, soil, vegetation as well as land use activities) - Establishment of a (Spatial) Decision Support System((S)DSS to improve water management, in particular in terms of risk prevention and appropriate planning - Intensive cooperation with land users (forest owners, tourism operators, etc.) • Forestry: - Guidelines on operation and management of forests inspring protection areas developed by Vienna Water Works in cooperation with the forestry office of the city of Vienna identifying best practices to protect the aquifer body through sustainable forest management

10. Lessons learned (preliminary) • Reasons for taking “adaptation” activities are driven by concrete effects and socio-economic impacts rather than CC predictions and/or scenarios • Broad stakeholder involvement is crucial for designing effective response measures and securing an adequate implementation • Planning for water management strongly needs cross-sectoral considerations, taking into account ecosystem services and pressures from land use • Governmental activities in terms of providing technical as well as financial support enhances the success rate of measures to be taken