Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Water Resources in the Olive-Growing Areas of Extremadura, Southwestern Spain

Francisco J. Moral (), Francisco J. Rebollo, Abelardo García-Martín, Luis L. Paniagua and Fulgencio Honorio
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Francisco J. Moral: Departamento de Expresión Gráfica, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. de Elvas, s/n., 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Francisco J. Rebollo: Departamento de Expresión Gráfica, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n., 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Abelardo García-Martín: Departamento de Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n., 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Luis L. Paniagua: Departamento de Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n., 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Fulgencio Honorio: Departamento de Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez, s/n., 06007 Badajoz, Spain

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-13

Abstract: The increasing variability of precipitation, higher temperatures, and recurring droughts in the semi-arid regions due to climate change are leading to increased aridity, resulting in scarcer water resources for crops. The present study aimed to analyse the spatial distribution of climate variables related to water resources in the olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura, southwestern Spain. To perform this task, three climate variables were used: the potential evapotranspiration of the crop, the FAO aridity index, and the annual water requirement. Considering data from 58 weather stations located throughout Extremadura and 17 along boundaries with at least a 30-year length (within the 1991–2021 period), each variable was computed at each station. After calculating some descriptive statistics, a multivariate geostatistical (regression-kriging) algorithm, incorporating secondary information on elevation and latitude, was used to accurately map each climate variable. Later, temporal trends and their magnitude were analysed using the Mann–Kendall test and the Sen’s estimator, respectively. The highest evapotranspiration and water requirements are located in the southern part of the region, which has large areas dedicated to olive cultivation. In the northern part of the region, there is greater spatial variability in evapotranspiration and, consequently, in water requirements for olive groves due to the more rugged topography. Similarly, the olive-growing areas with the highest aridity are also in the south of Extremadura. In most areas of Extremadura, olive cultivation requires appropriate irrigation for optimal productivity. According to evapotranspiration trends, the water requirements will become greater in the future. However, it is not guaranteed that the water supply will be sufficient in olive-growing areas where aridity is higher and water resources are scarce. The results of this study are very important for evaluating water deficit and water resources in vulnerable olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura.

Keywords: olive; semi-arid lands; Extremadura; water requirement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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