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A Large-Scale Nature-Based Solution in Agriculture for Sustainable Water Management: The Lake Karla Case

Author

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  • Yiannis Panagopoulos

    (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 19013 Anavissos Attikis, Greece)

  • Elias Dimitriou

    (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 19013 Anavissos Attikis, Greece)

Abstract

This study demonstrates a new nature-based solution (NBS) project in agriculture, the ‘Karla’ reservoir in Central Greece, a unique example at European scale, of a lake ecosystem which was dried and is now restored with the purpose to maximize the efficiency of water provision in agriculture and biodiversity enhancement. In this article, we present: (a) The historical developments from the existence of the old natural Lake Karla until the reconstruction of the homonymous artificial reservoir, (b) the environmental and economic benefits that the new project delivers, and (c) the governance and management mechanisms that can ensure the efficient operation of the project. The analysis shows that the reconstructed Lake Karla can serve as a multi-purpose project to combat water scarcity, achieving a twofold crop yield production and respective agricultural income in the surrounding area, securing the coverage of the water supply needs of the closest city, improving the status of groundwater resources, developing a natural shelter for biodiversity and emerging recreation and touristic opportunities. At the same time, its construction and operation costs can be recovered, and the proposed governance plan can ensure the viability of the whole project inspiring similar multi-purpose water retention projects for investment in agriculture and the environment in southern Europe but also in other water scarce regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yiannis Panagopoulos & Elias Dimitriou, 2020. "A Large-Scale Nature-Based Solution in Agriculture for Sustainable Water Management: The Lake Karla Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-22, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:6761-:d:401769
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    7. Mike Spiliotis & Dionissis Latinopoulos & Lampros Vasiliades & Kyriakos Rafailidis & Eleni Koutsokera & Ifigenia Kagalou, 2022. "Flexible Goal Programming for Supporting Lake Karla’s (Greece) Sustainable Operation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Lei Wang & Zengrui Qi & Qinghua Pang & Yibo Xiang & Yanli Sun, 2020. "Analysis on the Agricultural Green Production Efficiency and Driving Factors of Urban Agglomerations in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Yongchao Duan & Min Luo & Xiufeng Guo & Peng Cai & Fu Li, 2021. "Study on the Relationship between Snowmelt Runoff for Different Latitudes and Vegetation Growth Based on an Improved SWAT Model in Xinjiang, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-26, January.
    10. Georgia Trakala & Achilleas Tsiroukis & Aristotelis Martinis, 2023. "Eco-Cultural Development of a Restored Lake Environment: The Case Study of Lake Karla (Thessaly, Greece)," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-12, June.
    11. Angelos Alamanos & Tatiana Pliakou & Efi Tritopoulou & Phoebe Koundouri & Lydia Papadaki, 2021. "Water Resources Management and the situation of the Water District of Thessaly. Report of the Project of the Athenian Brewery 'Water for Tomorrow'," DEOS Working Papers 2117, Athens University of Economics and Business.

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