Water Balances In The Eastern Mediterranean A Summary Of A Workshop

Water Balances in the Eastern Mediterranean

This book presents various approaches to the resolution of the severe water resource issues of the Middle East, with particular emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian water conflicts. The authors include leading Palestinian and Israeli water experts who have worked together on joint research projects aimed at building up mutual understanding and respect. The studies consider the various approaches that could be used to improve cooperation and solve the problems arising from conflicting interests.

This book addresses six key factors that will affect environmental policies in the Mediterranean region during the next fifty years: population growth, climate change, soil erosion and desertification, water scarcity, food production, and urbanization and pollution. The authors assess these as potential sources of violent conflict. The interdisciplinary approach makes this a relevant and useful reference for a broad range of professionals, specialists and researchers.

The image is modified based on Figure 1a of Lucey et al. (this Research Topic) and Figure 7b of Niemi et al. (this Research Topic). (A) Graphical depiction of atmospheric warming and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2atm), which drives ocean warming, contribute to the decreases in dissolved oxygen (DO), and lowers pH and saturation state index of calcium carbonate (Ω). The partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) increases due to increasing atmospheric CO2 that is absorbed into the seawater (i.e., ocean acidification), along with other biological processes in the marine environment. (B) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image showing dissolution on pteropod shells collected in the Amundsen Gulf in the Canadian Arctic, in 2017. Lucey N, Haskett E and Collin R (2020) Multi-stressor Extremes Found on a Tropical Coral Reef Impair Performance. Front. Mar. Sci. 7:588764. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.588764 Niemi A, Bednaršek N, Michel C, Feely RA, Williams W, Azetsu-Scott K, Walkusz W and Reist JD (2021) Biological Impact of Ocean Acidification in the Canadian Arctic: Widespread Severe Pteropod Shell Dissolution in Amundsen Gulf. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:600184. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.600184

"Climatic Change and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa" is dedicated to high-priority topics related to the impact of climate change on water resources in a water scarce region. The subject is described and discussed in three main chapters and different case studies. The three main chapters are (1) Climatic changes - sources and effects on the water cycle, (2) Impact of climate change on water resources, (3) Water resources and water management. These chapters are split up into further 26 sections. A total of 64 individuals from many countries have made contributions to this book. All topics in this book are complimentary and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between global climate change, world water cycle and water resources. A valuable and meaningful interdisciplinary mixture of topics is combined in this book which will be of great interest to many scientists.