Water Use for Agriculture in Mexico

Vélez, Enrique Palacios; Saez, Enrique Mejia

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-05432-7_9

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Annual extent of irrigated agriculture and population density change (1984–2018) were utilized as an analog of human water use. Agriculture in arid and semi‐arid regions of western North America accounts for >89% of surface water consumption (Maupin et al, ; Vélez & Saez, ) as high evaporative demand mandates irrigation for crop production. We assumed all irrigation to impacted ecosystem water balance, but acknowledge different practices (i.e.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Donnelly

King

Silverman

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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Migrating waterbirds moving between upper and lower latitudinal breeding and wintering grounds rely on a limited network of endorheic lakes and wetlands when crossing arid continental interiors. Recent drying of global endorheic water stores raises concerns over deteriorating migratory pathways, yet few studies have considered these effects at the scale of continental flyways. Here, we investigate the resiliency of waterbird migration networks across western North America by reconstructing long‐term patterns (1984–2018) of terminal lake and wetland surface water area in 26 endorheic watersheds. Findings were partitioned regionally by snowmelt‐ and monsoon‐driven hydrologies and combined with climate and human water‐use data to determine their importance in predicting surface water trends. Nonlinear patterns of lake and wetland drying were apparent along latitudinal flyway gradients. Pervasive surface water declines were prevalent in northern snowmelt watersheds (lakes −27%, wetlands −47%) while largely stable in monsoonal watersheds to the south (lakes −13%, wetlands +8%). Monsoonal watersheds represented a smaller proportion of total lake and wetland area, but their distribution and frequency of change within highly arid regions of the continental flyway increased their value to migratory waterbirds. Irrigated agriculture and increasing evaporative demands were the most important drivers of surface water declines. Underlying agricultural and wetland relationships however were more complex. Approximately 7% of irrigated lands linked to flood irrigation and water storage practices supported 61% of all wetland inundation in snowmelt watersheds. In monsoonal watersheds, small earthen dams, meant to capture surface runoff for livestock watering, were a major component of wetland resources (67%) that supported networks of isolated wetlands surrounding endorheic lakes. Ecological trends and human impacts identified herein underscore the importance of assessing flyway‐scale change as our model depictions likely reflect new and emerging bottlenecks to continental migration.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and human water use diminish wetland networks supporting continental waterbird migration

Donnelly

King

Silverman

et al. 2020

Global Change Biology

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“…This would most definitely seem to lessen the strain experienced by existing water sources for the state's urban populace. Likewise, the state has historically ranked near the bottom of national studies that examines the volumes of water extracted for irrigation for each Mexican federated state (Vélez & Mejia Saez, 2011). Thus, at cursory glance, the state has reason for reassurance: its agribusiness sector is not enervating water supplies relative to unfolding events in other states, and its population growth has slowed at an advantageous time.…”

Section: Tlaxcalamentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Water Supply in Mexico

Miguel

2017

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“…In the northern drylands, the evaporation rates are also high and transportation through open channels increases the loss of water. Palacios Vélez and Mejía Sáez (2011) specified that the efficiency of irrigation is around 48 %, and in particular, irrigation by gravity has low efficiency. In 2010, because of a yearly reduction of 6 % in irrigated areas due to lack of water and an ongoing drought, farmers were enrolled into a government training programme in water efficiency.…”

Section: Water (Mis-)use In Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%