Naar een droogtebestendige regio Midden-Limburg. Selecteren van droogte-adaptatiemaatregelen op basis van wetenschappelijke en lokale kennis.

Abstract

Global climate change probably intensifies drought incidence and severity, which increases wildfire risks an agricultural damage. Drought is not only an ecological issue but also a social one. To be able to analyse the interactions within and across these systems this research applies a Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) approach. Effective drought adaptation requires integrating scientific insights with local knowledge, yet information is often fragmented and scarce. Regionally, key knowledge gaps exist in hydrological drought dynamics, societal impacts of drought, physical drought mitigation measures, promising drought adaptation opportunities, and the integration of drought into policy. This research seeks to address the following main question: How can a region improve its drought resilience? Insights were gathered primarily through literature research and GIS data analysis. This report utilises the Midden-Limburg region as a case study. Findings indicate that both meteorological and soil moisture drought will intensify, with soil moisture drought negatively affecting society through social-ecological interactions.
Adaptation strategies include managing water use, increasing water retention, and increasing water infiltration. Promising adaptation opportunities were identified, particularly in wildfire prevention, but also in ecology, agriculture, and drinking water. Additionally, particularly vulnerable areas were identified. Furthermore, successful implementation of adaptation measures relies on cooperation across governance levels. This study provides valuable ecological and social insights that can be applied to regions with similar soil, climate, or governance conditions.

Date of Award	10 Feb 2025
Original language	Dutch
Supervisor	Angelique Lansu (Supervisor), Roger Huntjens (Co-assessor) & Jikke van Wijnen (Examiner)