Water Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands. Report Summary.

摘要

Population and economic growth, changing social values about the importance of water quality and the environment, and Native American water-right claims will continue to drive growing U.S. demand for water resources. Expansion of the U.S. energy sector is expected to further increase regional demands for water. At the same time, projected climate changethrough warming temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and reduced snowpackis expected to reduce water supplies and increase water demand across much of the West. These trends are placing greater pressure on existing water allocations, heightening the importance of water management and conservation for the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. How well irrigated agriculture adapts to growing constraints on water, particularly by increasing its water-use effi ciency, will directly affect the economic health and sustainability of the sector.