Czesław Somorowski

Abstract

Possible future growth in Poland's demand for irrigation water is analyzed in relatim to possible climate change by comparing demand for 1951-1990, estimated on the basis of hydrometeorological data, with that for 1991-2050 determined on the basis of hydrometeorological variables (precipitation, potential évapotranspiration) forecasted according to the Global Circulation Model with the GFDL (Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Laboratory, Princetown) scenario of doubled CO2 content by the year 2080. The analysis was performed for the catchment of the Warta (c. 60,000 km2) and the Wieprz ((. 15,000 km2 ) rivers, with areas of future irrigation determined in relation to possible technical and agronomic factors. Use is made of results from the project entitled "Countrj Study-Poland, SE-12. Strategy for Poland's Water Resources Management in the Face of Climatic Change" (Kaczmarek et al. 1995).

Keywords: Irrigation of agricultural land, water demand, climate change

Czesław Somorowski, Faculty o:' Land Reclamation and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw Agricultural University ul. Nowoursynowska 166, 02-766 Warszawa, Poland