Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, cilt.23, sa.12A, ss.3123-3130, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
The Mediterranean Sea is a large sea that is located between Europe, northern Africa and south western Asia. Its total area is 2,500,000 sq km. In total the Mediterranean Sea borders 18 different nations. A common feature of these countries is the fact that fresh water is becoming scarcer and more unequally distributed. According to estimates, the number of people living in areas with water shortages will increase to 63 million by 2025. Climate change, the growing demand for water in agricultural and urban development, as well as the expanding tourism industry, have further aggravated the water stress on the region. Agriculture is the main water-consuming sector and accounts for 64% of total water demand: 45 % in the North and 82% in the South and East. In numerous Mediterranean countries, water use is approaching the limit level of available resources. The main challenge is the decreasing of the water usage especially in the agriculture. Water footprint based on the theory of virtual water can act as the tool for sinking the water demand in the agriculture. The water footprint is a further development of the virtual water. It informs how much water is consumed by the use of a product or service. In this study the water footprint of main agricultural products in the countries of the Med Sea region is calculated. Based on these data proposals for sustainable water management is developed.