The UPWr supports the fight against drought

Drought, according to the encyclopaedic definition, is a long period during which there is no precipitation or, in relation to the average long-term values, its occurrence is insignificant. It most often occurs in the summer. The phenomenon of drought can cause soil to dry out, affect or completely destroy plant crops, and increase the likelihood of fires. Drought is defined not only as an occurrence of extreme phenomena, but also all situations that occur when water is less available in a given area. Most importantly, it develops slowly and its beginnings are difficult to detect. Scientists also distinguish three types of drought: atmospheric, soil and hydrological.

Although located in a moderate temperate climate zone, Poland is not free from the phenomenon of drought. In fact it is becoming more common. In the years 1951-1981 droughts only occurred six times, on average every 5 years, but in the next three decades it happened 18 times, so on average every two years, and since 2013 this phenomenon has occurred in Poland every year. In 2020, experts from the University of Warsaw alarmed that for the first time a drought occurred in spring, and as part of the #UWażniNaSuszę initiative launched at the time, they reported that until recently 40 percent of rainfall had occurred in the summer months, and 60 percent in winter. In the years 2015-2020, however, an unfavourable distribution of rainfall in time was noted in Poland – the lowest amount of rainfall occurred at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

– In April 2019 and 2020 we recorded minimum rainfall, which in some regions was 1-2 mm per month, with previous rainfall of 20 mm. So we are dealing with a phenomenon that has never been seen before – a spring drought associated with a shortage of rainfall and a deficit of soil moisture already in spring – Dr. Maciej Lenartowicz from the Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies at the University of Warsaw explained to the Polish Press Agency.

Poland has one of the smallest water resources in Europe. The aggravation of climate change means not only the intensification of the phenomenon of drought, but also floods, including those caused by torrential rains. The extreme nature of these phenomena affects not only nature, but also the economy, agriculture and human life. Scientists have no doubts that, on the one hand, in the near future rain-dependent agriculture will require systematic irrigation of farmlands, and on the other hand city dwellers are already experiencing the effects of so-called rapid floods resulting from the ever smaller permeable area, which is the result of the phenomenon of too much concrete in cities.

Many scientists warn that without systemic and permanent actions, Poland is at risk of becoming a steppe. But this can be addressed through education and by promoting solutions that promote retention, i.e. capturing water when there is an excess and using it when there is a drought.

The answer to these challenges is the recently signed agreement for cooperation between fifteen Polish universities, the Polish Academy of Science and the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Among the signatories of the letter of intent is also the University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Wrocław, and the aim of the cooperation is to exchange information and experience in the field of drought research, as well as promoting (and implementing) best practices for dealing with water shortages. A result of this agreement is the creation of the internet platform susza.gov.pl, where you can find information resulting from the work of scientists from universities such as the UPWr, but also the Jagiellonian University, the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the AGH University of Science and Technology. On behalf of the UPWr, three people are involved in the cooperation with the ministry: Prof. Krzysztof Lejcuś, Prof. Małgorzata Biniak-Pieróg and Prof. Jolanta Dąbrowska. Prof. Lejcuś was the originator and coordinator of the GEOSAP project, under which Hydrobox technology was developed, patented in the European Union and commercialised, which enables saving water in agriculture and urban green areas and improving the safety of hydrotechnical structures. He is also the leader of a study entitled "A catalogue of good practices – principles of sustainable management of rainwater from road surfaces", as well as the author of numerous scientific publications and economic projects. Prof. Biniak-Piróg deals with, among others, precipitation monitoring, organisation of rescue systems and agrometeorology, while Prof. Dąbrowska deals with geotechnics, sustainable management of water resources and waste management.

– Via the susza.gov.pl platform we want to take a broader look at the phenomenon that we are struggling with as a country. The platform is not only a supplementary hub of information regarding drought, but above all it is a place where you can find guidance on the help and support offered by the government. This will be information on supporting individual entities, farmers, entrepreneurs and public entities – said Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka after signing the agreement on cooperation between the ministry and the universities.

– This is an impulse to perceive the phenomenon of drought in a unified and complementary way at the level of government administration, but with an additional value, which is the scientific community – added Łukasz Lange, the minister's representative for counteracting the effects of drought and the shortage of water resources in the environment.

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