Agricultural Water Management
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the students with the elements for knowing, understanding, measuring, predicting, and planning agricultural water management issues. Water use efficiency and conservation of natural resources are important focuses of the course.
The course is organised as an interdisciplinary laboratory, in which professors from different disciplines (hydrology, rural buildings and agro-forest land planning, economics, and physical geography and geomorphology) guide the students in carrying out a project based on a case study, by integrating lectures, field work, and data analysis.
This laboratory gives students the possibility, while learning specific concepts and skills related to agricultural water management, to acquire transversal skills, such as group work, discussion of results, communication of concepts, and critical evaluation and use of literature sources.
The course is organised as an interdisciplinary laboratory, in which professors from different disciplines (hydrology, rural buildings and agro-forest land planning, economics, and physical geography and geomorphology) guide the students in carrying out a project based on a case study, by integrating lectures, field work, and data analysis.
This laboratory gives students the possibility, while learning specific concepts and skills related to agricultural water management, to acquire transversal skills, such as group work, discussion of results, communication of concepts, and critical evaluation and use of literature sources.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students should:
· know and understand the physical, technical, and economic issues of water management for agriculture, at the district and basin scales;
· know and understand the options for agricultural water use at the district and basin scale, and their effects;
· know who are the stakeholders involved in agricultural water management, and which are their interests;
· be able to collect and integrate data, also through measurements, and to analyse the status of agricultural water use at the district and basin scales;
· know and understand the governance tools for agricultural water management;
· know and understand the tools for the economic evaluation of public choices on agricultural water management;
· know, understand and be able to use tools for predicting the impacts of agricultural water management decisions at the district and basin scales;
· understand and assess agricultural pressures on water quality and related mitigation options
· be able to prepare plans for sustainable agricultural water management at the district and basin scale, considering local constraints and preserving ecosystems.
Students will also be able to:
· independently evaluate methods to monitor, analyse, and plan agricultural water management;
· clearly summarise and communicate, in writing and orally, information and ideas related to agricultural water management;
· independently find and evaluate literature sources and databases about agricultural water management, to update their knowledge.
· know and understand the physical, technical, and economic issues of water management for agriculture, at the district and basin scales;
· know and understand the options for agricultural water use at the district and basin scale, and their effects;
· know who are the stakeholders involved in agricultural water management, and which are their interests;
· be able to collect and integrate data, also through measurements, and to analyse the status of agricultural water use at the district and basin scales;
· know and understand the governance tools for agricultural water management;
· know and understand the tools for the economic evaluation of public choices on agricultural water management;
· know, understand and be able to use tools for predicting the impacts of agricultural water management decisions at the district and basin scales;
· understand and assess agricultural pressures on water quality and related mitigation options
· be able to prepare plans for sustainable agricultural water management at the district and basin scale, considering local constraints and preserving ecosystems.
Students will also be able to:
· independently evaluate methods to monitor, analyse, and plan agricultural water management;
· clearly summarise and communicate, in writing and orally, information and ideas related to agricultural water management;
· independently find and evaluate literature sources and databases about agricultural water management, to update their knowledge.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral presentation and discussion of a report on topics covered in the course. The subject of the report is assigned during the course and must be preferably developed as a team work (small groups of 2-3 students). The report must be written and delivered within the deadline for registering for the exam through the dedicated University Service. The final evaluation is determined as the average of the evaluation of the oral test and of the written report.
The following aspects will be assessed during the exam: acquired knowledge, level of understanding, reasoning and connection skills, communication skills using appropriate sector terminology, ability to organize a detailed and effective technical document.
Enrolment in the exam must be done through the dedicated University Service.
If not attending the exam once registered, please cancel the registration within the terms indicated (or in any case communicate it by email to the teacher). In case of unjustified absence, the teacher has the right to prevent registration for the next session.
For students with Specific Learning Disorders refer to the provisions of the Student Guide and the DSA Service of the University (https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld).
The following aspects will be assessed during the exam: acquired knowledge, level of understanding, reasoning and connection skills, communication skills using appropriate sector terminology, ability to organize a detailed and effective technical document.
Enrolment in the exam must be done through the dedicated University Service.
If not attending the exam once registered, please cancel the registration within the terms indicated (or in any case communicate it by email to the teacher). In case of unjustified absence, the teacher has the right to prevent registration for the next session.
For students with Specific Learning Disorders refer to the provisions of the Student Guide and the DSA Service of the University (https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/services-students-specific-learning-disabilities-sld).
Water resource assessment
Course syllabus
Introduction to irrigation systems and their components
- Sources of water for irrigation
- Water diversions and uptakes
- Conveyance and distribution networks
- Irrigation methods
- Reservoirs and their regulation policies
- Diversion rules
- Irrigation practices
Estimating crop water requirements
- Soil hydrology and soil water balance
- Measurement and estimation of evapotranspiration
- FAO 56 approach to computing crop water requirements - FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56
- Soil water balance calculations to support irrigation management and planning at different spatial scales;
- illustration of case studies
Practicals, field trips and team work
- Implementation of soil water balance
- Field visit to irrigation experimental sites
- Team work (coordinated with the other modules)
- Sources of water for irrigation
- Water diversions and uptakes
- Conveyance and distribution networks
- Irrigation methods
- Reservoirs and their regulation policies
- Diversion rules
- Irrigation practices
Estimating crop water requirements
- Soil hydrology and soil water balance
- Measurement and estimation of evapotranspiration
- FAO 56 approach to computing crop water requirements - FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56
- Soil water balance calculations to support irrigation management and planning at different spatial scales;
- illustration of case studies
Practicals, field trips and team work
- Implementation of soil water balance
- Field visit to irrigation experimental sites
- Team work (coordinated with the other modules)
Teaching methods
Llectures, field work, data analysis and processing.
Teaching Resources
Lessons slides
Selected scientific paper will be delivered during the course.
Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S., Raes, D., Smith, M., 1998. Crop evapotranspiration: guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper no. 56, Rome, Italy. www.fao.org/3/X0490E/x0490e00.htm
Selected scientific paper will be delivered during the course.
Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S., Raes, D., Smith, M., 1998. Crop evapotranspiration: guidelines for computing crop water requirements. FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper no. 56, Rome, Italy. www.fao.org/3/X0490E/x0490e00.htm
Economic and environmental assessment of water resource
Course syllabus
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
Introduction to the economic evaluation of water resources
- Definition of water resources and their economic importance
- Assessing economic impacts of water sourcing, conveyance, distribution, and irrigation practices
- Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of different irrigation systems
Economics of water quality and farming systems
- Understanding the cost implications of different agricultural practices on water quality
- Economic evaluation of ecosystem services and the cost of their degradation due to water management issues
- Analysing costs and benefits of complying with regional, national, and European legislation on water quality
- Estimation of costs and benefits associated with mitigation strategies to improve water quality
Case Studies in Economic and Environmental Assessment
- Analysis of real-world cases relating the economic and environmental principles learned
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
Overview of european, national, and regional legislation on water, nutrients, emissions; key European funding instruments for the agricultural sector;
Pressures exerted by different sectors on water quality, with special focus on livestock sector and the related mitigation options.
Territorial data of the lombardy region, with a main focus on soils and water systems GW and SW (water quality and its definition method)
Overview of the main agricultural management solutions improving the water quality
Practicals, field trips and team work
- Field visit to irrigation experimental sites
- Team work (coordinated with the other modules)
Introduction to the economic evaluation of water resources
- Definition of water resources and their economic importance
- Assessing economic impacts of water sourcing, conveyance, distribution, and irrigation practices
- Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of different irrigation systems
Economics of water quality and farming systems
- Understanding the cost implications of different agricultural practices on water quality
- Economic evaluation of ecosystem services and the cost of their degradation due to water management issues
- Analysing costs and benefits of complying with regional, national, and European legislation on water quality
- Estimation of costs and benefits associated with mitigation strategies to improve water quality
Case Studies in Economic and Environmental Assessment
- Analysis of real-world cases relating the economic and environmental principles learned
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
Overview of european, national, and regional legislation on water, nutrients, emissions; key European funding instruments for the agricultural sector;
Pressures exerted by different sectors on water quality, with special focus on livestock sector and the related mitigation options.
Territorial data of the lombardy region, with a main focus on soils and water systems GW and SW (water quality and its definition method)
Overview of the main agricultural management solutions improving the water quality
Practicals, field trips and team work
- Field visit to irrigation experimental sites
- Team work (coordinated with the other modules)
Teaching methods
Llectures, field work, data analysis and processing.
Teaching Resources
Lessons slides
Materials distributed during the lectures
REFERENECES
OECD (2023), Implementing Water Economics in the EU Water Framework Directive, OECD Studies on Water, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/d6abda81-en
igrac (2016). Significance and State of Affairs of Groundwater Economics in the Governance of Transboundary Aquifers
Ward, Frank A. and Ari M. Michelsen. (2002). The economic value of water in agriculture: concepts and policy applications. Water Policy 4: 423-446.
EEA, 2018, European waters: Assessment of status and pressures 2018, EEA Report, 7/2018, European Environment Agency.
EEA, Europe's groundwater — a key resource under pressure. EN PDF: TH-AM-22-003-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9480-459-4 - ISSN: 2467-3196 - Doi: 10.2800/50592
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Frelih-Larsen, A., Koeijer, T., Ding, H.et al., Resource efficiency in practice - Closing mineral cycles: final report, Publications Office, 2016, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/710012
Psomas, A., Bariamis, G., Roy, S., Rouillard, J. and Stein, U., 2021, Comparative study on quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies: Study of the impacts of pressures on groundwater in Europe, Service Contract, 3415/B2020/EEA.58185, European Environment Agency.
Reichardt K., Timm L.C. (2010) Soil, Plant and Atmosphere Concepts, Processes and Applications, Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-19322-5
Materials distributed during the lectures
REFERENECES
OECD (2023), Implementing Water Economics in the EU Water Framework Directive, OECD Studies on Water, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/d6abda81-en
igrac (2016). Significance and State of Affairs of Groundwater Economics in the Governance of Transboundary Aquifers
Ward, Frank A. and Ari M. Michelsen. (2002). The economic value of water in agriculture: concepts and policy applications. Water Policy 4: 423-446.
EEA, 2018, European waters: Assessment of status and pressures 2018, EEA Report, 7/2018, European Environment Agency.
EEA, Europe's groundwater — a key resource under pressure. EN PDF: TH-AM-22-003-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9480-459-4 - ISSN: 2467-3196 - Doi: 10.2800/50592
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Frelih-Larsen, A., Koeijer, T., Ding, H.et al., Resource efficiency in practice - Closing mineral cycles: final report, Publications Office, 2016, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/710012
Psomas, A., Bariamis, G., Roy, S., Rouillard, J. and Stein, U., 2021, Comparative study on quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies: Study of the impacts of pressures on groundwater in Europe, Service Contract, 3415/B2020/EEA.58185, European Environment Agency.
Reichardt K., Timm L.C. (2010) Soil, Plant and Atmosphere Concepts, Processes and Applications, Springer. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-19322-5
Farming system and water quality
Course syllabus
Emissions from agriculture (air, soil, water)
Assessment of nutrient loads from agricultural activity at farm level
Methods to evaluate the agricultural impacts on water quality
- Estimation by means of emission factors
- Use of models
- Direct measures of emissions and impacts
Approaches to the assessment of nutrient emissions
- Data at farm, municipality and catchment level
- Methodology to assess loads and emissions
- Definition of possible scenarios to improve water quality
Field visit to livestock farms
Assessment of nutrient loads from agricultural activity at farm level
Methods to evaluate the agricultural impacts on water quality
- Estimation by means of emission factors
- Use of models
- Direct measures of emissions and impacts
Approaches to the assessment of nutrient emissions
- Data at farm, municipality and catchment level
- Methodology to assess loads and emissions
- Definition of possible scenarios to improve water quality
Field visit to livestock farms
Teaching methods
Llectures, field work, data analysis and processing.
Teaching Resources
Lessons slides
Selected scientific paper will be delivered during the course.
REFERENCES
EEA, 2018, European waters: Assessment of status and pressures 2018, EEA Report, 7/2018,
European Environment Agency.
EEA, Europe's groundwater — a key resource under pressure. EN PDF: TH-AM-22-003-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9480-459-4 - ISSN: 2467-3196 - Doi: 10.2800/50592
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Frelih-Larsen, A., Koeijer, T., Ding, H.et al., Resource efficiency in practice - Closing mineral cycles : final report, Publications Office, 2016, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/710012
Psomas, A., Bariamis, G., Roy, S., Rouillard, J. and Stein, U., 2021, Comparative study on quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies: Study of the impacts of pressures on groundwater in Europe, Service Contract, 3415/B2020/EEA.58185, European Environment Agency.
Selected scientific paper will be delivered during the course.
REFERENCES
EEA, 2018, European waters: Assessment of status and pressures 2018, EEA Report, 7/2018,
European Environment Agency.
EEA, Europe's groundwater — a key resource under pressure. EN PDF: TH-AM-22-003-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9480-459-4 - ISSN: 2467-3196 - Doi: 10.2800/50592
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, Frelih-Larsen, A., Koeijer, T., Ding, H.et al., Resource efficiency in practice - Closing mineral cycles : final report, Publications Office, 2016, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2779/710012
Psomas, A., Bariamis, G., Roy, S., Rouillard, J. and Stein, U., 2021, Comparative study on quantitative and chemical status of groundwater bodies: Study of the impacts of pressures on groundwater in Europe, Service Contract, 3415/B2020/EEA.58185, European Environment Agency.
Economic and environmental assessment of water resource
AGR/01 - AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL APPRAISAL
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
GEO/04 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY
Practicals: 32 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Motta Silvia Renata, Ruggeri Giordano
Farming system and water quality
AGR/10 - RURAL BUILDINGS AND AGRO - FOREST LAND PLANNING - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Provolo Giorgio Mario
Water resource assessment
AGR/08 - AGRICULTURAL HYDRAULICS AND WATERSHED PROTECTION - University credits: 4
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Lessons: 24 hours
Professor:
Gandolfi Claudio
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
on demand previuos contact by email
Dept. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Agricultural Engineering Building n. 10 - Farm Structures and Environment group