CIMA Research Foundation's drought and water resource management observatory: from national to global scale

The ability to predict water crises and manage them effectively benefits from both accurate weather forecasts and high-resolution satellite imagery and large-scale water cycle models. CIMA Research Foundation, with projects ranging from the national to the global level, is committed to transforming complex data into useful information to address drought and ensure water security.?

The National Scale: science to support water resource management?

Since the beginning of 2022, Italy has been experiencing a period of drought that goes far beyond a simple precipitation deficit: we are talking about snow scarcity, negative soil moisture anomalies, significant lows in river flows, with considerable impacts on various economic and ecosystem sectors. As part of its collaboration with the Italian Civil Protection Department, CIMA Research Foundation is creating a real-time, multivariable and operational available data platform to improve the monitoring of water scarcity phenomena in Italy. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines satellite and meteorological data with hydrological models, we produce monthly snapshots of different variables, with variable resolutions up to a maximum of 1 km.?

Constant monitoring of water resources nationwide not only allows us to monitor the areas most at risk, but also enables us to support the mitigation of the impacts of extreme events, providing a solid basis for making timely and well-informed decisions, which are essential for dealing with prolonged periods of water crisis. Consistent with the goals of the RETURN project in which we are a partner, which aims to develop innovative solutions for water resource resilience in Italy.?

The European level: advanced tools for drought research?

Europe, too, is unfortunately characterized by increasing water scarcity and the rising frequency of prolonged events, particularly in southern regions. And data are also needed at the European level to support long-term resource planning and mitigation policies. The European Drought Observatory (EDO) and the European Drought Risk Atlas, to which we contribute in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre ( EU Science, Research and Innovation ) to provide a detailed view of the distribution and evolution of droughts over time, help to understanding past events, managing current ones and forecasting future ones.? ?

A Global Look: the Global Drought Atlas and drought resilience?

Widening our gaze spatially, an integrated and systemic approach is also needed at the global level. The Global Drought Atlas, developed with IVM Institute for Environmental Studies , United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and EU Science, Research and Innovation , is a tool that aims to provide policy makers and stakeholders with an overview of the drought phenomenon, its impacts on various systems, examples of drought events around the world and examples of adaptation pathways to foster community resilience. ?

The Global Drought Atlas will be previewed at the Drought Resilience +10 Conference, during a side event where our experts with UN Convention to Combat Desertification , EU Science, Research and Innovation , IVM Institute for Environmental Studies , and United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) will discuss scientific developments related to drought resilience.? ?

Register for the Drought Resilience +10 Conference to learn more about these crucial issues with us and preview the Global Drought Atlas!?