PRIN 2022 CALL. DECREE NO. 104 OF 2 FEBRUARY 2022

PROJECT TITLE: Equality and Resilience of Agroecosystems through Smart water Management and USe (ERASMUS)

CUP CODE B53D23006510006

Budget: € 92.600

P.I. or U.R. Manager: P.I. Prof. Alessandro Pagano – Polytechnic University of Bari

Other Research Units or any Sub-Units: Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Università degli Studi del Sannio (UNISANNIO), CNR-IRSA (involved in the initial phase of the project, before the PI's transfer to POLIBA)

Brief project description
The ERASMUS project is focused on analyzing the resilience of irrigated agroecosystems and on subsequently identifying possible strategies to ensure their improvement. The project analyzed the strong interdependencies among water, energy, agricultural production, environmental conditions, and management practices typical of such systems, focusing primarily on the efficient and sustainable management of water resources. To this end, the ERASMUS project proposed the integration of System Dynamics Modelling approaches, multidimensional indicators, hydraulic/numerical modeling, and participatory modeling, applying them to two case studies represented by two irrigation consortia located in Southern Italy. 

Purpose
The project’s main objective was to make the concept of resilience operational in irrigated agroecosystems, translating it into tools and methods to support adaptive and sustainable water-resource management, even in a context of increasing scarcity. More specifically, ERASMUS aimed to: i) improve understanding of the dynamics that characterize irrigated agroecosystems; ii) identify and develop a set of indicators for assessing resilience, capable of covering its multiple dimensions and the various sectors of interest; iii) analyse and evaluate (including comparatively) innovative technologies for modernizing irrigation systems, with particular attention to the use of smart valves and the retrofitting of existing networks; iv) test technical and management solutions in real-world case studies, encouraging stakeholder involvement and knowledge exchange, also to support the replicability of the project’s results.

Expected results
The main expected results were:

• the development of a conceptual model for analyzing the resilience of irrigated agroecosystems through the use of System Dynamics Modelling tools;
• the identification of a multidimensional set of indicators capable of covering primarily the hydraulic dimension of the efficiency of irrigation network operation, combining it with the agricultural, environmental, energy, and socio-economic dimensions;
• the review and comparative assessment of innovative technological solutions for the management of irrigation systems, including smart and off-grid technologies;
• the testing of possible technical and management solutions aimed at improving the resilience of irrigation systems, through hydraulic and numerical modeling;
• the activation of Communities of Innovation in two pilot sites and the definition of methodological elements useful for replicability and decision support.

Achieved results 
within the project, a Causal Loop Diagram was developed and analyzed, useful for identifying feedbacks, critical issues, and leverage points that influence the resilience of irrigated agroecosystems. A framework of indicators was also defined for assessing the resilience of irrigation systems from a Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus. A national survey addressed to land reclamation consortia provided an updated overview of the state of irrigation infrastructure, innovation needs, and the main barriers to innovation. With specific reference to two case studies, the use of hydraulic and numerical modelling supported the identification of cost-effective retrofitting strategies and the testing of innovative technologies such as OASIS and GreenValve. The project also demonstrated the energy sustainability and management potential of these devices and activated two Communities of Innovation, which fostered stakeholder engagement, validation of results, and discussion of possible future developments, also at international level

The ERASMUS project focused on analysing the resilience of irrigated agroecosystems and identifying strategies to improve it, with particular attention to the efficient and sustainable management of water resources in contexts of increasing scarcity. The project addressed irrigation systems as complex socio-ecological systems, characterised by strong interdependencies among water, energy, agricultural production, environmental conditions and management practices. It integrated conceptual approaches, indicator reviews, hydraulic and numerical modelling, and participatory modelling, applying them to two case studies in southern Italy involving two irrigation consortia. Its main objective was to operationalise the concept of resilience in irrigated agroecosystems by developing tools and methods to support adaptive and sustainable water-resource management. Key expected outcomes included developing a conceptual model using System Dynamics Modelling; identifying a multidimensional set of indicators; reviewing and comparatively assessing innovative technologies; testing technical and management solutions in real-world case studies; and establishing Communities of Innovation. The results confirm that these objectives were achieved: a Causal Loop Diagram was developed and analysed to identify feedback loops, critical issues and potential intervention points (leverage points); an indicator framework was defined from a Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Nexus perspective; a national survey provided an up-to-date overview of the state of irrigation infrastructure and innovation needs; and, finally, hydraulic and numerical modelling supported the identification of cost-effective retrofitting strategies and the testing of innovative technologies such as OASIS and GreenValve, demonstrating their potential to support irrigation system management. A distinguishing feature of the project was stakeholder engagement, also aimed at transferring the results to other contexts and promoting wider dissemination of models and technologies.