Earth:Xerochore

Xerochore is an exercise to assess research needs and policy choices in areas of drought. It was founded by the European Commission during the 7th framework program, and was aimed at assisting in the development of a European drought policy in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (EU-WFD).

Background and objectives

In recent years large parts of Europe suffered from extreme drought, a phenomenon that may become more frequent and more severe as a consequence of climate change. If not addressed properly, the socio-economic and environmental impacts of droughts will be huge.

To inform European Drought and Climate Adaptation policies, the Xerochore assessed the existing knowledge about the physical causes, intensity, spatial and temporal patterns of droughts, and their social, environmental and economic impacts. Furthermore, it developed a catalogue of demand- and supply-side policies to manage droughts.

It was brought up with an overall budget of €1,831,002.44 of which €1,500,889 was EU's contribution.

A series of expert workshops, roundtable discussions and stakeholders consultation were organised. A Core group synthesised the collected knowledge and produced guidance documents for drought management.

The Xerochore SA objectives were:

• To synthesize knowledge on past, current and future drought events;
• To compile a roadmap that provides a short to long-term vision on research needs and steps forward towards supporting the implementation of drought management plans;
• To provide information on possible impacts of droughts and guidance for stakeholders in the area of planning, implementation and scenarios;
• To further extend and develop the drought network established as part of the European Drought Centre (EDC) to assess the international state of the art in research related to droughts;
• To link up with non-EU experts to ensure that the synthesis, roadmap and guidance to stakeholders includes background from other leading continents and encourage them to become member of the extended EDC;
• To initiate a long lasting platform beyond this project.

Organization of work

Xerochore is related to five main areas corresponding to 5 work packages (WP1-5), addressing sectoral key topics for the final synthesis. A sixth work package deals with the management of the project. The five main areas to be covered are:

1. WP1: Natural system (climate and hydrology), including physical causes, spatial and temporal development of historic droughts, anthropogenic influences, incl also impact of climate change on drought, development of basic elements for early warning systems, forecasting of drought;

1. WP2: Economic and social impacts of droughts and of research actions taken to mitigate and to adapt to the effects of droughts, incl. providing guidance for stakeholders;

1. WP3: Environmental impacts of droughts and of research actions taken to mitigate and to adapt to the effects of droughts, incl. providing guidance for stakeholders;

1. WP4: An appraisal of existing drought-associated policies and the research needs to develop an EU drought policy (Pan-European scale);

1. WP5: Implications of drought policies for integrated water management at the regional and national level.

The outcome of the WP's 1-3 provide then a possibility to integrate drought management both to its drivers (causes) and impacts as well as to possible consequences of drought management (WP5). The link of the drought management to WP4 (Drought policy) is dual, first to impose urgent fields of action in policy making, but considering at the same time constraints and restrictions as discussed under WP5.

The Xerochore support actions are implemented by a consortium of 11 partners. The project network consists of over 80 organizations including research institutes, universities, ministries, water management organizations, stakeholders, consultants, international organizations and programmes, all in all four different partner types contributing to the review and synthesis of findings:

• International Recognised Research Centres;

• Academic Institutions;

• National Authorities;

• International Organisations (e.g. IUCN).

External links

• http://www.feem-project.net/xerochore/