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As socio-ecological systems, coastal wetlands constitute great economic, cultural, recreational and environmental value. However, due to rapid urbanisation and intensification of agricultural activities, these hybrid systems are continuously degraded, generating several ecological and social problems. This paper aims to deepen how agriculture-nature interactions and actor behaviour affect coastal wetlands' management while conditioning decision-making processes. El Hondo Natural Park (Alicante, Spain) is the selected case study in which 15 key stakeholders from the public administration, the rural community, and the civil society are selected. Data were collected between April and June 2018 through semi-structured interviews and analysed following the Grounded Theory principles and by computer-assisted qualitative and mixed methods data software, MAXQDA®. Results revealed how the rural community and civil society members agree on El Hondo Natural Park's cultural function, conceived as a mechanism to preserve local identity, protecting traditional agricultural practices and rural heritage. However, El Hondo Natural Park's origin and management generated discussion, including topics such as the natural park’ declaration, public investment, and participation in decision-making processes (especially due to the lack of transparency and information). Furthermore, main challenges have been identified: farmers' survival, water scarcity and water quality standards, and social recognition and promotion of the natural park. Researchers and relevant authorities can use obtained results to customize their interventions based on previous and well-structured knowledge of how socio-ecological systems are perceived and which past or new conflicts generate frustration among confronted stakeholders' demands.
Sandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós. Water for food, water for birds: How to manage conflicting rural-natural interfaces? Deepening on the socio-ecological system of El Hondo Natural Park (Alicante, Spain). Journal of Rural Studies 2021, 86, 24 -35.
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Antonio M. Rico-Amorós. Water for food, water for birds: How to manage conflicting rural-natural interfaces? Deepening on the socio-ecological system of El Hondo Natural Park (Alicante, Spain). Journal of Rural Studies. 2021; 86 ():24-35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós. 2021. "Water for food, water for birds: How to manage conflicting rural-natural interfaces? Deepening on the socio-ecological system of El Hondo Natural Park (Alicante, Spain)." Journal of Rural Studies 86, no. : 24-35.
Water consumption continues to grow globally, and it is estimated that more than 160% of the total global water volume will be needed to satisfy the water requirements in ten years. In this context, non-conventional water resources are being considered to overcome water scarcity and reduce water conflicts between regions and sectors. A bibliometric analysis and literature review of 81 papers published between 2000 and 2020 focused on south-east Spain were conducted. The aim was to examine and re-think the benefits and concerns, and the inter-connections, of using reclaimed and desalinated water for agricultural and urban-tourist uses to address water scarcity and climate change impacts. Results highlight that: (1) water use, cost, quality, management, and perception are the main topics debated by both reclaimed and desalinated water users; (2) water governance schemes could be improved by including local stakeholders and water users in decision-making; and (3) rainwater is not recognized as a complementary option to increase water supply in semi-arid regions. Furthermore, the strengths–weaknesses–opportunities–threats (SWOT) analysis identifies complementary concerns such as acceptability and investment in reclaimed water, regulation (cost recovery principle), and environmental impacts of desalinated water.
Sandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Maria Hernández-Hernández; Antonio Rico-Amorós; Jorge Olcina-Cantos; Enrique Moltó-Mantero. Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review. Sustainability 2021, 13, 2473 .
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Rubén Villar-Navascués, Maria Hernández-Hernández, Antonio Rico-Amorós, Jorge Olcina-Cantos, Enrique Moltó-Mantero. Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (5):2473.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Maria Hernández-Hernández; Antonio Rico-Amorós; Jorge Olcina-Cantos; Enrique Moltó-Mantero. 2021. "Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review." Sustainability 13, no. 5: 2473.
Desalination for sustaining agricultural production is conceived as an alternative water source in some Mediterranean countries faced with climatological and hydrological constraints. Although high costs are often cited as limiting factors, how farmers discern desalinated water has not been discussed in-depth in the literature. This paper aims to deepen how desalination is perceived by irrigators, what driving factors are affecting irrigation communities’ decision-making processes, and what learnings can be drawn from their experiences regarding desalination acceptance or rejection. Eleven irrigation communities have been selected from Alicante and Murcia regions (South-East Spain), which account for more than 60,000 irrigators and 120,000 ha. Questionnaires were conducted between March and December 2019. Results highlighted the main advantages (water availability and supply security) and disadvantages (high price affecting profitable crop options, high-energy consumption, water quality standards, the production capacity of desalination plants, no seasonal variation in water production, and shortages due to technical problems) of using desalinated water. Additionally, through the analysis of regional and national press news, it can be concluded that socio-political aspects, such as corruption, cost overruns, and political disputes are also considered.
Rubén Villar-Navascués; Sandra Ricart; Salvador Gil-Guirado; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós; Ana Arahuetes. Why (Not) Desalination? Exploring Driving Factors from Irrigation Communities’ Perception in South-East Spain. Water 2020, 12, 2408 .
AMA StyleRubén Villar-Navascués, Sandra Ricart, Salvador Gil-Guirado, Antonio M. Rico-Amorós, Ana Arahuetes. Why (Not) Desalination? Exploring Driving Factors from Irrigation Communities’ Perception in South-East Spain. Water. 2020; 12 (9):2408.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRubén Villar-Navascués; Sandra Ricart; Salvador Gil-Guirado; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós; Ana Arahuetes. 2020. "Why (Not) Desalination? Exploring Driving Factors from Irrigation Communities’ Perception in South-East Spain." Water 12, no. 9: 2408.
El periodo de disminución del consumo urbano de agua iniciado a mediados de la década del 2000 en España se invirtió en algunas áreas litorales del Mediterráneo a partir del año 2014 como resultado de la recuperación económica y el crecimiento de la actividad turística. Sin embargo, a escala inframunicipal este cambio de tendencia no se ha producido de manera homogénea. Con el objetivo de mejorar la comprensión de estas tendencias, se han realizado 171 encuestas personales en hogares de dos municipios del litoral de Alicante y se han solicitado sus datos de facturación de agua agregados por tipología de vivienda y sector urbano. Los resultados del análisis de la evolución del consumo entre 2007 y 2017 y de la percepción del precio del agua indican que se ha producido un incremento de la desigualdad urbana. Mientras que en las áreas urbanas de baja densidad el consumo ha aumentado, especialmente en las viviendas secundarias, en las áreas urbanas de alta densidad la disminución se ha mantenido, llegando a niveles que podrían indicar situaciones de pobreza hídrica, por lo que se propone la revisión de las estructuras tarifarias para fomentar una distribución más justa de los costes del servicio.
Rubén Alejandro Villar Navascués; María Hernández Hernández; Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. ¿Recuperación económica o incremento de la desigualdad urbana? Tendencias de consumo y percepción del precio del agua en los hogares del litoral de Alicante. Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleRubén Alejandro Villar Navascués, María Hernández Hernández, Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. ¿Recuperación económica o incremento de la desigualdad urbana? Tendencias de consumo y percepción del precio del agua en los hogares del litoral de Alicante. Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles. 2020; (86):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRubén Alejandro Villar Navascués; María Hernández Hernández; Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. 2020. "¿Recuperación económica o incremento de la desigualdad urbana? Tendencias de consumo y percepción del precio del agua en los hogares del litoral de Alicante." Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles , no. 86: 1.
Research interest in massive online and open courses (MOOCs) is rapidly growing, questioning who enrolls, why and how to conceive engagement, and success rates. This study is focused on MOOC-takers behavior obtained from a seven-week MOOC experience on natural risks. Data scraping principles have been used to collect data. Demographics, success-dropout rates, engagement periods, achievement and scoring, and behavior were analyzed through descriptive statistics, non-parametric correlation analysis, and statistical hypothesis testing. The results show that students who start earlier and those who finish earlier the course obtain better grades in some of the modules (motivation and background on natural risks could be the explanation). However, for ‘last moment students’, speed in passing the modules is either related to greater motivation, although in this case it is not related to better grades. Furthermore, students who complete tasks during the weekend take less time to complete the modules and obtain a better grade. In addition, a learning strategy is promoted by reconsidering who is learning: players (those who complete the course and earning a certificate), auditors (those who have completed a thematic unit or the whole module, earning partial knowledge), and spectators (those enrolled until the end of the course, who intend earning experience in e-learning).
Sandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Salvador Gil-Guirado; María Hernández-Hernández; Antonio Rico-Amorós; Jorge Olcina-Cantos. Could MOOC-Takers’ Behavior Discuss the Meaning of Success-Dropout Rate? Players, Auditors, and Spectators in a Geographical Analysis Course about Natural Risks. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4878 .
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Rubén Villar-Navascués, Salvador Gil-Guirado, María Hernández-Hernández, Antonio Rico-Amorós, Jorge Olcina-Cantos. Could MOOC-Takers’ Behavior Discuss the Meaning of Success-Dropout Rate? Players, Auditors, and Spectators in a Geographical Analysis Course about Natural Risks. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (12):4878.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Salvador Gil-Guirado; María Hernández-Hernández; Antonio Rico-Amorós; Jorge Olcina-Cantos. 2020. "Could MOOC-Takers’ Behavior Discuss the Meaning of Success-Dropout Rate? Players, Auditors, and Spectators in a Geographical Analysis Course about Natural Risks." Sustainability 12, no. 12: 4878.
Although desalination water cost and quality standards have been widely studied, less attention has been paid to understanding how desalination plant managers and irrigation communities interact to address water scarcity. This paper aims to approach these questions from experience in Alicante and Murcia (Spain). Two specific questionnaires have been applied to (1) three desalination plants managed by the Spanish public company ACUAMED, and (2) 11 irrigation communities who use desalinated seawater. Discursive analysis has been applied in order to deepen understanding on the driving factors, benefits, and barriers of desalination use and management. Results highlighted how (1) irrigation communities consider desalination as a complementary water source to be combined with conventional water resources, (2) both ACUAMED and irrigation communities highlighted two main advantages of desalination: the security/guarantee of supply and water quality parameters, and (3) managers and irrigators disagree on the desalination model of seawater provision and management, since irrigators consider that the Central Union of the Tajo-Segura transfer irrigators (SCRATS) should have a leading role. In addition, the main driving factors and barriers useful for policy makers when closing the gap of desalination have been identified: water price and energy consumption; lack of water storage capacity and regulation; environmental impacts.
Sandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Salvador Gil-Guirado; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós; Ana Arahuetes. How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain). Water 2020, 12, 1132 .
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Rubén Villar-Navascués, Salvador Gil-Guirado, Antonio M. Rico-Amorós, Ana Arahuetes. How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain). Water. 2020; 12 (4):1132.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Rubén Villar-Navascués; Salvador Gil-Guirado; Antonio M. Rico-Amorós; Ana Arahuetes. 2020. "How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain)." Water 12, no. 4: 1132.
Studies on water in cities usually focus on household consumption. However, little attention has been given to non-household consumption and schools from a geographic perspective. The objectives of this research are to examine water consumption trends in schools in the city of Alicante (Southern Spain) between 2000–2017, revise how water use is managed in these centers, and, lastly, examine initiatives aimed at environmental education and saving water in these schools. The results obtained from a survey of school directors indicate a low level of participation because only 14 of the 88 educational centres in the city chose to collaborate in this research. Second, and with regard to water trend consumption, in 2017, water consumption increased by 1.76% in comparison with the average for the period of 2000 to 2004, in contrast with a 38.9% fall in non-household general consumption in the city. Lastly, measures to encourage water saving and environmental education in schools are limited. This tendency is explained by the increase in the number of users over the last five years. Second, the water bill is not paid directly by schools’ directors and, thus, ‘free’ water is a factor that does not incentivise savings. A third is the little investment made in the installation of water-saving devices, water-saving plans, or action taken to promote the use of non-conventional water resources to the watering garden. Lastly, low promotion of environmental education or incentives for savings in schools.
Álvaro-Francisco Morote; María Hernández; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico. Water Consumption and Management in Schools in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain) (2000–2017): Free Water Helps Promote Saving Water? Water 2020, 12, 1052 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote, María Hernández, Jorge Olcina, Antonio-Manuel Rico. Water Consumption and Management in Schools in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain) (2000–2017): Free Water Helps Promote Saving Water? Water. 2020; 12 (4):1052.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote; María Hernández; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico. 2020. "Water Consumption and Management in Schools in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain) (2000–2017): Free Water Helps Promote Saving Water?" Water 12, no. 4: 1052.
Tourism, and particularly residential tourism, has led to a change in the urban and demographic model of towns along the European Mediterranean coastline. Water as a resource limited and limiting for the growth of tourism is a popular topic in the scientific literature. However, the incorporation of non-conventional resources (desalination) has meant, in theory, that this limitation has been overcome. The aims of this paper are: (a) to identify the different tourism models existing in coastal towns in Alicante province and characterize them according to their water consumption from 2002–2017; and (b) analyse the hydrosocial cycle, highlighting the measures aimed at satisfying water demand and identifying the limitations related to these hydrosocial systems. To this end, different types of information have been processed, and various basic indicators have been analysed. The results revealed the increase in the resilience of this region to natural aridity and drought events. This was possible because the demand management and the use of desalinated water. However, this has generated other problems associated (energetics, environmental) due to maintenance of a non-sustainable territorial model based on an accelerated real estate development.
Carlos Baños; María Hernández; Antonio Rico; Jorge Olcina. The Hydrosocial Cycle in Coastal Tourist Destinations in Alicante, Spain: Increasing Resilience to Drought. Sustainability 2019, 11, 4494 .
AMA StyleCarlos Baños, María Hernández, Antonio Rico, Jorge Olcina. The Hydrosocial Cycle in Coastal Tourist Destinations in Alicante, Spain: Increasing Resilience to Drought. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (16):4494.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarlos Baños; María Hernández; Antonio Rico; Jorge Olcina. 2019. "The Hydrosocial Cycle in Coastal Tourist Destinations in Alicante, Spain: Increasing Resilience to Drought." Sustainability 11, no. 16: 4494.
The narrative of reusing water for agricultural purposes is sometimes conceived as being one of the reasons versus emotions, which might not capture the complexity of the issue at hand, including the legitimate fear of risks, diffuse regulations and the visceral reactions from farmers and the public. By analysing recent peer-reviewed literature (2007–2017) from a holistic approach (technical and social issues), this review explores: 1) the main characteristics of the reviewed literature on this topic (geographical contexts, research areas, main topics and tools), 2) relevant driving factors to effectively reconcile farmers’ needs and public perceptions of water reuse, and 3) the current knowledge gaps and future challenges to be addressed by end users, managers and authorities. The article concludes by discussing the level of the knowledge in this area and advanced recommendations to further a better comprehension of technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture.
Sandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico. Assessing technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture: A review on risks, regulation and the yuck factor. Agricultural Water Management 2019, 217, 426 -439.
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Antonio M. Rico. Assessing technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture: A review on risks, regulation and the yuck factor. Agricultural Water Management. 2019; 217 ():426-439.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico. 2019. "Assessing technical and social driving factors of water reuse in agriculture: A review on risks, regulation and the yuck factor." Agricultural Water Management 217, no. : 426-439.
The successes and failures of water reuse schemes are shaped by complex interrelationships between technological, economic, and socio-political factors. However, it has long been recognized that the main challenges to more effective water management are largely social rather than technical. This article reviews the recent literature (2007–2017) to analyze driving factors associated with farmers’ concerns and public perception of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation. The aim of the paper is to synthetize how both environmental and health risks and the yuck factor could be addressed in order to promote mutual understanding between farmers and the public. Results show: (1) how farmers and the public perceive environmental and health risks in a similar way, (2) how the yuck factor is more noticeable for the public than farmers, and (3) how constructed wetlands, reclaimed water exchange consortiums, product certification, and direct site visits to water reuse infrastructure could be promoted in order to foster understanding between farmers and the public. The article concludes by providing key research questions for managers and public authorities relating to how to focus on the study of technical and social issues related to water reuse.
Sandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico; Anna Ribas. Risk-Yuck Factor Nexus in Reclaimed Wastewater for Irrigation: Comparing Farmers’ Attitudes and Public Perception. Water 2019, 11, 187 .
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Antonio M. Rico, Anna Ribas. Risk-Yuck Factor Nexus in Reclaimed Wastewater for Irrigation: Comparing Farmers’ Attitudes and Public Perception. Water. 2019; 11 (2):187.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Antonio M. Rico; Anna Ribas. 2019. "Risk-Yuck Factor Nexus in Reclaimed Wastewater for Irrigation: Comparing Farmers’ Attitudes and Public Perception." Water 11, no. 2: 187.
In recent decades, territorial transformations have occurred on the Spanish Mediterranean coast due to the real estate bubble (1997–2008). The objectives of this research are: (1) to analyse the domestic water consumption trend in the study area (“Beach Sector” of the city of Alicante, Southern Spain) (2000–2017); and (2) explore water use and the characteristics of detached houses and how its residents have introduced water-saving measures to reduce consumption after the economic crisis in the study area. A review and analysis of data on housing and population has been carried out where this urban development type has been implemented. Moreover, surveys of the residents have been conducted in order to determine and analyse water consumption, and the perception and knowledge used to reduce water consumption in detached houses. The results show that consumption decreased between 2000 and 2017 due to different factors and there was no change in the water consumption trend at the end of the economic crisis. In view of the conclusions, it should be mentioned that this reduction has been associated with a greater environmental awareness of the need to save water, the installation of systems that use water more efficiently and water-saving devices. All of this is aimed at reducing the water bill that has been exacerbated by an increase in water prices seeing as this is the type of property that consumes the most water.
Álvaro-Francisco Morote; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico; María Hernández. Water Management in Urban Sprawl Typologies in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain): New Trends and Perception after the Economic Crisis? Urban Science 2019, 3, 7 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote, Jorge Olcina, Antonio-Manuel Rico, María Hernández. Water Management in Urban Sprawl Typologies in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain): New Trends and Perception after the Economic Crisis? Urban Science. 2019; 3 (1):7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico; María Hernández. 2019. "Water Management in Urban Sprawl Typologies in the City of Alicante (Southern Spain): New Trends and Perception after the Economic Crisis?" Urban Science 3, no. 1: 7.
The scientific understanding of climate change is firmly established; it is occurring, it is primarily due to human activities, and it poses potentially serious risks to human and natural systems. Nevertheless, public understanding of this phenomenon varies widely among farmers and the public, the two-target audience of this paper. This paper introduces two research questions: (1) How climate change is perceived by public-farmers’ nexus; and (2) How perception and populism (as a thin-ideology moved by social forces) interact? In order to address both questions, we review insights from different sources (literature, research projects, and public opinion services) over the last 10 years. The results proved how public experience of climate change is interdependent with the belief that climate change is happening. What is also notable is that the greater the years of farmers’ farming experiences, the greater the percentage rate of their climate change awareness. Differences among farmers and public perceptions were also noted. Uncertainty, coupled with skepticism, the media, and political will, are common findings when asking to farmers and the public for the main weaknesses in adaptation to climate change. However, scientific consensus, meteorological data, barriers to adaptation, and the role of technology are subjects in which both differ.
Sandra Ricart; Jorge Olcina; Antonio M. Rico. Evaluating Public Attitudes and Farmers’ Beliefs towards Climate Change Adaptation: Awareness, Perception, and Populism at European Level. Land 2018, 8, 4 .
AMA StyleSandra Ricart, Jorge Olcina, Antonio M. Rico. Evaluating Public Attitudes and Farmers’ Beliefs towards Climate Change Adaptation: Awareness, Perception, and Populism at European Level. Land. 2018; 8 (1):4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSandra Ricart; Jorge Olcina; Antonio M. Rico. 2018. "Evaluating Public Attitudes and Farmers’ Beliefs towards Climate Change Adaptation: Awareness, Perception, and Populism at European Level." Land 8, no. 1: 4.
El Trasvase Tajo-Segura se ha convertido desde su inauguración en 1979 en una de las infraestructuras hidráulicas que más tensiones interterritoriales ha originado en España. A ello se une su valor estratégico para el desarrollo de las provincias del sureste peninsular, donde atiende consumos agrícolas y urbano-turísticos con grandes implicaciones sociales y económicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las causas y las consecuencias del funcionamiento del Trasvase Tajo-Segura con la reciente modificación de sus normas de explotación (límite de no trasvase cuando en los embalses de cabecera almacenen menos de 400 hm3) y el impulso de la desalinización en la cuenca receptora como sustitución a los trasvases. Para ello se han analizado los efectos del funcionamiento de las nuevas normas de explotación y se plantean posibles alternativas para resolver un conflicto que se agrava durante cada ciclo de intensa y prolongada sequía sin que el Estado ni las autonomías, a través de la planificación hidrológica, hayan dado una respuesta satisfactoria a las regiones cedentes y receptoras.
Álvaro Francisco Morote Seguido; Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. Perspectivas de funcionamiento del Trasvase Tajo-Segura (España): efectos de las nuevas reglas de explotación e impulso de la desalinización como recurso sustitutivo. Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles 2018, 1 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro Francisco Morote Seguido, Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. Perspectivas de funcionamiento del Trasvase Tajo-Segura (España): efectos de las nuevas reglas de explotación e impulso de la desalinización como recurso sustitutivo. Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles. 2018; (79):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro Francisco Morote Seguido; Antonio Manuel Rico Amorós. 2018. "Perspectivas de funcionamiento del Trasvase Tajo-Segura (España): efectos de las nuevas reglas de explotación e impulso de la desalinización como recurso sustitutivo." Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles , no. 79: 1.
The Spanish Mediterranean region has been affected by several factors over the years (climatic conditions of aridity, high water demands, rapid and intense urban and population growth, climate change), that have generated a negative water balance whereby water resources are unable to meet the demand. Diversifying supply sources by resorting to new resources has been a necessity that has stimulated the expansion and integration of non-conventional water sources (desalination and reuse of reclaimed water) and sustainable solutions. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the adaptation strategies that have been developed in Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja in order to adjust their hydrosocial cycles to development and future scenarios. The theoretical analysis developed in this paper is corroborated by the study of the hydrosocial cycle evolution of three cities in the southeast of Spain, and the adaptive measures that the different stakeholders involved in the cycle have developed in each of them. The input and output of the systems are accounted for with information provided by the management companies in each of the phases (urban consumption; treated, reused and desalinated volumes), which highlight how the diversification of resources and the incorporation of non-conventional resources have been essential for adaptation.
Ana Arahuetes; María Hernández; Antonio M. Rico. Adaptation Strategies of the Hydrosocial Cycles in the Mediterranean Region. Water 2018, 10, 790 .
AMA StyleAna Arahuetes, María Hernández, Antonio M. Rico. Adaptation Strategies of the Hydrosocial Cycles in the Mediterranean Region. Water. 2018; 10 (6):790.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Arahuetes; María Hernández; Antonio M. Rico. 2018. "Adaptation Strategies of the Hydrosocial Cycles in the Mediterranean Region." Water 10, no. 6: 790.
The energy intensity of water—‘energy (electricity)-for-water’—is calculated for Benidorm, a mass tourism resort in the Spanish Mediterranean coast, where the urban water cycle has evolved in response to a series of episodes of water stress. The analysis is based on primary data compiled from various actors involved in the urban water cycle encompassing water extraction, end uses, and wastewater treatment, including tertiary treatment. The results provide one of the first analyses of the relations between energy and water in a mass tourist center, which may be of potential interest for other tourist areas. It is estimated that a total of 109 GWh/year of electricity is required to operate the water cycle of Benidorm. About 4% of total energy use in Benidorm is dedicated to extracting, transporting, and treating water. The most energy-intensive stage is represented by end uses, which accounts for 20% of the total energy use in Benidorm when the energy required for water pumping and hot water use is considered. Additionally, energy intensity for water extraction was estimated for normal, wet, and two dry year scenarios. In comparison with the normal scenario, energy intensity is six times larger when desalinated water is incorporated during a dry year, whereas the emergency interbasin water transfer resulted in a more moderate increase in energy intensity. While treated wastewater and emergency water transfers appear to be a more convenient solution in energy terms, the strong impulse given to desalination in Spain is forcing local water authorities towards the use of a resource that is much more energy intensive, although, on the other hand, much less dependent on the vagaries of climate. In light of recent technological and managerial developments, the Benidorm case illuminates the challenges appearing in the analysis of the water-energy nexus, especially the fact that scarcity may be transferred from water to energy.
Hyerim Yoon; David Sauri; Antonio M. Rico Amorós. Shifting Scarcities? The Energy Intensity of Water Supply Alternatives in the Mass Tourist Resort of Benidorm, Spain. Sustainability 2018, 10, 824 .
AMA StyleHyerim Yoon, David Sauri, Antonio M. Rico Amorós. Shifting Scarcities? The Energy Intensity of Water Supply Alternatives in the Mass Tourist Resort of Benidorm, Spain. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (3):824.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHyerim Yoon; David Sauri; Antonio M. Rico Amorós. 2018. "Shifting Scarcities? The Energy Intensity of Water Supply Alternatives in the Mass Tourist Resort of Benidorm, Spain." Sustainability 10, no. 3: 824.
Since its inauguration in 1979, the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct has become one of the hydraulic infrastructures that has had the most significant socio-economic repercussions in Spain during the past few decades. The aqueduct is significant for its strategic importance and developmental potential for south-east Spain, where it provides water for agriculture as well as for tourism and urban consumption. The aim of this study is to analyze the uncertainties regarding the future functioning of this infrastructure in view of the reduction of water resources and a higher frequency of drought episodes due to climate change. To this end, an analysis was performed on previous studies of hydrological plans, regulations and studies on climate change in order to enable an assessment to be made of the possible effects of these changes on the normal functions of the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct. Consideration is also given to the new management rules that have regulated this infrastructure since 2014, the use of alternative water resources, and proposals such as measures to increase resilience in light of future climate change scenarios and their effects on the Mediterranean.
Álvaro-Francisco Morote; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico. Challenges and Proposals for Socio-Ecological Sustainability of the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct (Spain) under Climate Change. Sustainability 2017, 9, 2058 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote, Jorge Olcina, Antonio-Manuel Rico. Challenges and Proposals for Socio-Ecological Sustainability of the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct (Spain) under Climate Change. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (11):2058.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote; Jorge Olcina; Antonio-Manuel Rico. 2017. "Challenges and Proposals for Socio-Ecological Sustainability of the Tagus–Segura Aqueduct (Spain) under Climate Change." Sustainability 9, no. 11: 2058.
The Spanish regions located in the Mediterranean have been affected by several factors over the years (climatic conditions of aridity, strong demands, quick and intense urban and population growth) that have generated a negative water balance in which water contributions are unable to meet the demands. This problem is aggravated by future scenarios estimated as a consequence of climate change, which predicts a decrease in precipitation and an increase in temperature and frequency of maximum events. The aim of this work is to evaluate the adaptation strategies that have been conducted in these cities in order to adjust their hydrosocial cycles to development, as well as new actions that are being implemented in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. Diversification of supply sources has been one of the keys to this evolution, using both own and external resources. These adaptive measures have made the search for new supply sources a necessity, stimulating the expansion and integration of non-conventional water sources (desalination and reuse of reclaimed water). Likewise new strategies, such as the implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), seem to gain positions in the water planning of these regions. The theoretical analysis developed in this work is corroborated by the study of the hydrosocial cycle evolution of three cities of the province of Alicante (southeast Spain), and the adaptive measures that the different actors involved in the cycle have developed in each one of them. The input and output are considered in this system thanks to the information provided by the management companies in each of the phases (urban consumption, treated and reused volumes). The results obtained evidence the complexity of this hybrid socio-natural process where water and society influence each other and where an adequate planning is essential in order to overcome new scenarios.
Ana Arahuetes Hidalgo; Antonio Rico Amorós; María Hernández Hernández. Adaptation strategies of the hydrosocial cycles in the Mediterranean regions. Proceedings of First International Electronic Conference on the Hydrological Cycle 2017, 1 .
AMA StyleAna Arahuetes Hidalgo, Antonio Rico Amorós, María Hernández Hernández. Adaptation strategies of the hydrosocial cycles in the Mediterranean regions. Proceedings of First International Electronic Conference on the Hydrological Cycle. 2017; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Arahuetes Hidalgo; Antonio Rico Amorós; María Hernández Hernández. 2017. "Adaptation strategies of the hydrosocial cycles in the Mediterranean regions." Proceedings of First International Electronic Conference on the Hydrological Cycle , no. : 1.
There have been significant territorial changes in the Spanish Mediterranean in the last few decades because of the important growth of residential tourism functions. The Spanish National Hydrological Plan (2001) and, to a greater extent, the Action for Management and Use of Water Programme (2004) advocated large-scale desalination of seawater to guarantee a supply for urban, tourism, and even future agricultural demands. The paralysis of urban development planning caused by the financial crisis (2007/08), together with the downward trend in the consumption of drinking water in the last decade, highlighted a capacity to produce desalinated water that was far superior to actual needs. This study reviews the current context in which desalinated water is produced in Spain, weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of this method of water management, and considers the potential role that this non-conventional source of water could play as a strategic resource in the future. The main findings of the study are that desalination is not a panacea; rather, it should be considered in terms of technological parameters tailored to the circumstances of each geographical and socioeconomic environment.
Álvaro-Francisco Morote; Antonio-Manuel Rico; Enrique Moltó. Critical review of desalination in Spain: a resource for the future? Geographical Research 2017, 55, 412 -423.
AMA StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote, Antonio-Manuel Rico, Enrique Moltó. Critical review of desalination in Spain: a resource for the future? Geographical Research. 2017; 55 (4):412-423.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote; Antonio-Manuel Rico; Enrique Moltó. 2017. "Critical review of desalination in Spain: a resource for the future?" Geographical Research 55, no. 4: 412-423.
Since the past few years, the smart city paradigm has been influencing sustainable urban water resources management. Smart metering schemes for end users have become an important strategy for water utilities to have an in-depth and fine-grained knowledge about urban water use. Beyond reducing certain labor costs, such as those related to manual meter reading, such detailed and continuous flow of information is said to enhance network efficiency and improve water planning by having more detailed demand patterns and forecasts. Research focusing on those initiatives has been very prolific in countries such as Australia. However, less academic attention has been paid to the development of smart metering in other geographies. This paper focuses on smart water metering in Spain and, more particularly, documents and reflects on the experience of the city of Alicante (southeastern Spain), a pioneer case of massive deployment of remote reading of water meters at the household level and for large urban customers. Through data and interviews with water managers from the water utility, we shed light on the costs and early benefits, as well as the potentialities and (unexpected) problems of this technology to contribute to more sustainable urban water cycles.
Hug March; Álvaro-Francisco Morote; Antonio-Manuel Rico; David Saurí. Household Smart Water Metering in Spain: Insights from the Experience of Remote Meter Reading in Alicante. Sustainability 2017, 9, 582 .
AMA StyleHug March, Álvaro-Francisco Morote, Antonio-Manuel Rico, David Saurí. Household Smart Water Metering in Spain: Insights from the Experience of Remote Meter Reading in Alicante. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (4):582.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHug March; Álvaro-Francisco Morote; Antonio-Manuel Rico; David Saurí. 2017. "Household Smart Water Metering in Spain: Insights from the Experience of Remote Meter Reading in Alicante." Sustainability 9, no. 4: 582.
The European Mediterranean coastline has experienced major tourism-related urbanization since 1960. This is a dynamic that has led to increased spending on water consumption for urban and tourism-related uses. The objective of this paper is to define and to analyze how domestic water consumption in the city of Alicante evolved between 2000 and 2013. Real billing figures for individual households were analyzed according to the type of housing and the income level of the occupants. The conclusions drawn show that consumption fell over the period studied, and that there are different patterns in water expenditure depending on the type of housing and the inhabitants.
Álvaro-Francisco Morote; María Hernández; Antonio-Manuel Rico. Causes of Domestic Water Consumption Trends in the City of Alicante: Exploring the Links between the Housing Bubble, the Types of Housing and the Socio-Economic Factors. Water 2016, 8, 374 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote, María Hernández, Antonio-Manuel Rico. Causes of Domestic Water Consumption Trends in the City of Alicante: Exploring the Links between the Housing Bubble, the Types of Housing and the Socio-Economic Factors. Water. 2016; 8 (9):374.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro-Francisco Morote; María Hernández; Antonio-Manuel Rico. 2016. "Causes of Domestic Water Consumption Trends in the City of Alicante: Exploring the Links between the Housing Bubble, the Types of Housing and the Socio-Economic Factors." Water 8, no. 9: 374.