Author(s): Miguel Costa; Rodrigo Maia

Linked Author(s): Miguel Ângelo Pereira da Costa

Keywords: Drought; Water Scarcity; Indicators; Iberian Peninsula; Transboundary River Basins

Abstract: In the Iberian Peninsula, drought and water scarcity management and planning is highly dependent on the transboundary cooperation between Portugal and Spain, as the two countries share five relevant river basins (Minho/Mino, Lima/Limia, Douro/Duero, Tejo/Tajo, Guadiana). However, while Spain has developed drought management plans at a river basin district level that distinguishes between prolonged drought and scarcity situations by using specific composite indicators, Portugal has a national drought planning, addressing solely drought through the use of meteorological and hydrological variables/indicators. In this regard, to better mitigate drought and water scarcity impacts in the shared river basins, attending also to the expected climate change impacts, the adoption of common approaches, namely the use of a common system of indicators that objectively characterize drought and water scarcity situations becomes crucial. In this context, this study addresses drought and water scarcity assessment and planning in the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the importance of achieving a common transboundary indicator system. Based on it, a methodology to develop common drought and water scarcity indicators will be presented.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/978-90-835589-7-4_41WC-P2110-cd

Year: 2025