Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change: Understanding Impacts and Vulnerabilities

Room O-029

Integrating Microbial and Chemical Control in Managed Aquifer Recharge: Towards Safe and Sustainable Aquifer Recharge in BLUE RECHARGE

By Vanda Piškur

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is emerging as a sustainable solution to enhance water security and protect groundwater resources from climate-induced risks, including salinization and over-extraction. The BLUE RECHARGE project focuses on evaluating the feasibility of using treated wastewater for aquifer recharge in coastal karst aquifers, with special attention to maintaining water quality standards and protecting public health. This presentation will highlight the role of microbiological monitoring, complemented by selected chemical analyses, in ensuring the safety of recharge practices. Routine microbiological testing at key drinking water sources in the Rijeka area and at the Ponikve reservoir sets the baseline for understanding microbial dynamics. Within the BLUE RECHARGE framework, monitoring extends to recharge waters and groundwater samples, focusing on indicators such as E. coli, total coliforms, and somatic coliphages, alongside chemical parameters including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, hydrocarbons, sulfides, and phenols. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of continuous monitoring strategies, especially in light of potential microbial contamination risks and the aquifer's role as a natural barrier. Drawing from international MAR experiences, including the Ezousa aquifer case in Cyprus, and applying Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) methods, the talk will illustrate how integrated microbiological and chemical monitoring strengthens the resilience of aquifer recharge systems and fosters public trust in water reuse practices.

Room O-029

Managed recharge of karst aquifers - theory, concepts, practice - case study of the Island of Vis (Croatia)

By Matko Patekar

Room O-029

Telecoupled Waters: New spatial relationships via long-distance water transfers, tourist movements and international trade

By Robert Lütkemeier

Effective water management is essential for meeting ecological and societal needs, but challenges arise due to processes that transcend hydrological boundaries. This study examines telecouplings—long-distance effects on local water resources—focusing on three types: long-distance water transfers, impacts of international tourists, and virtual water volumes from international trade. Using case studies from Germany and Croatia, the research employs the telecoupling framework to analyze how these flows alter local water balances. The study uses water consumption statistics, groundwater recharge estimates, and trade data to quantify these impacts. Findings reveal both positive and negative effects of telecoupling flows. Long-distance water transfers can balance water deficits and surpluses, but they also pose risks to local water security. International tourists may increase water consumption in arid regions, while trade-related food consumption patterns can strain groundwater resources in irrigation-dependent areas. The study highlights the dual nature of telecouplings, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach in water management. It advocates for incorporating telecoupling effects into strategies, identifying intervention points to mitigate adverse impacts and enhance sustainability. This broader perspective is crucial for developing adaptive and resilient water management practices that address the dynamic and interconnected nature of water systems.

Room O-029

The Impacts of Climate Change on Olive Cultivation in Istria

By Andreina Belušić Vozila

Quantifying the effects of climate change on olive cultivation is crucial, as olive orchards are facing increasing sustainability challenges due to shifting climatic conditions. Both temperature and precipitation exert varying impacts on the different developmental stages of this crops and their cultivars. To better understand these impacts, recent trends in phenological stages are assessed and a comprehensive database of bioclimatic indices has been analyzed. This database includes metrics such as the average growing season temperature, growing degree-days (GDD), the Huglin index, the dryness index, and the cool night index, all based on a combination of historical meteorological data and projections from regional climate models (RCMs) sourced from the EURO-CORDEX database. Climate projections for Croatia indicate a trend toward further warming and increased dryness, resulting in earlier olive flowering and fruit ripening. These changes are attributed to increasing mean, minimum, and maximum air temperatures, with the most significant changes occurring in February. Furthermore, a simple GDD model was developed and tested as a prognostic tool to predict the initiation of each phenological stage. The GDD with base temperature of 6 °C proved highly effective in predicting the entire flowering period. The developed GDD model shows strong potential for projecting the onset of olive flowering under future climate conditions in Istria.

Room O-029

Research on climate change in mountain regions of national parks and nature parks

By Dalibor Paar

Climate change in the mountainous regions of Croatia leads to measurable phenomena, with extreme events and processes—such as the melting of perennial ice in caves—being particularly evident. These processes affect the dynamic balance of ecosystems and create new challenges in their protection and sustainable management. In the context of climatic and other environmental processes, key questions arise regarding research methodology, the interpretation of results, and their practical application by potential users. Through examples of protected areas as users, we will present ideas and methods of environmental research in mountainous regions, with a special emphasis on determining the impact of climate change on vulnerable ecosystems. We will also highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and its application in nature conservation and the preservation of mountain ecosystems.