Over 40% of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity, with that number expected to rise as the effects of climate change are ever more acutely felt. The contains a high level of geological, geomorphological and biological diversity, the latter of which is under particular threat due to ever increasing water scarcity. Understanding these challenges is essential for tackling the issue of water scarcity and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The project “Pianosa Island (Tuscan Archipelago-Italy): hydrological processes and water resources sustainability in a climate-changing Mediterranean” focuses on the hydrological cycle and water resources in small islands, as well as their relationship to climate change and the sustainability of insular ecosystems throughout the region. Also known as “Hydro-Island”, the project aims to increase both knowledge of hydrological processes and their climate and geological constraints, and local awareness of Pianosa’s own particular water resources and vulnerabilities.
The island of Pianosa, with its hydrological characteristics and its ecosystem, can constitute a reference site in the Mediterranean basin to define the aspects of vulnerability, but also of resilience that the island water systems can show in a scenario of climate change.
“Hydro Island” is spearheaded by the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, the managing authority of Tuscan Islands Biosphere Reserve, in cooperation with the Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IGG), the Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment at the University of Siena, the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Pisa, the Museum of Geology and Archeology of Pianosa (GASP Museum), the Pianosa Research Station (BRP-CNR) and Turismo Sostenibile s.r.l.
These first sets of field data sampling and laboratory analysis show that the groundwater system is still being affected by the agriculture practiced on the island until the 1990s. However, there is a section of the island which has a good quality water supply, an encouraging result in terms of developing future sustainable groundwater exploitation.
Pianosa island is a helpful laboratory to test possible solutions for climate-related issues facing the entire Mediterranean region. The evolution of the annual rainfall regime has led to an increasing of summer and autumn precipitation and a decreasing of winter and spring precipitation, thus resulting in an overall decreasing trend of annual effective infiltration water. On the other hand, after extreme rainfall events, the island benefits from significant aquifer recharges, highlighting Pianosa’s capacity for resilience against the Mediterranean’s changing weather patterns brought on by climate change.
The project’s findings are on display at Pianosa’s Museum of Geological and Archaeological Sciences where distribution facilities are projected in the museum rooms, monitors and personal computers are being utilised for video-presentations on the water cycle, and microscopes are available for demonstrations on geological samples. Moreover, information panels on hydrology and geology have been prepared, as well as an educational video. These interactive methods help visitors of all ages, most notably students, engage with the challenges facing the water cycle and equip them with the knowledge to inspire innovative solutions.
Engagement with schools and teachers are also key to enable the transfer of knowledge of water resources and hydrological processes between generations. In March, 7 school seminars took place, followed by 4 educational field trips throughout the spring to offer hands-on learning opportunities. On each occasion, students actively participated in discussions and in the practical activities at both the museum and at the experimental field sites. Teachers were also encouraged to integrate the project’s educational activities with the existing science curricula, such as hydrogeology.
According to Giulio Colombo, teacher of sciences and mathematics at the Secondary School in Campo nell'Elba, the project contributes to experimental-based teaching and learning activities for the sciences by providing more practical experiences outside of the classroom.
I am particularly satisfied with the result obtained, not only because of the recognition of UNESCO, but also because this initiative is a further demonstration of the ability of the Park Authority, in this case as manager of the biosphere reserve, to network and to be particularly active in the field of scientific research and dissemination.
The aims and methods of “Hydro Island” have been presented at open seminars organised for the general public and local institutions, in local newspapers and by the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves, broadcasting the project’s work to an international audience. The project was presented at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly last April, in Vienna, Austria.
As part of the UNESCO and the abrdn Charitable Foundation (aCF) 3-year partnership launched in 2022, the project “Promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites” seeks to promote a more sustainable and climate neutral Europe by working with Biosphere Reserves and other UNESCO sites to act as pilot sites for sustainable development.
Small islands biosphere reserves are at the forefront of climate change and its consequences, particularly with regard to their freshwater resources. The Tuscan Islands Biosphere Reserve project has achieved great results which could be scaled up to other island biosphere reserves of similar natural conditions and systems.
