Expert warns Mediterranean, grassland ecosystems at drought risk

​​​​​​​By Hikmet Faruk Baser

ISTANBUL (AA) - The increasing global population and stagnant water resources could lead to a water crisis, according to the Vice Rector of Biruni University in Istanbul.

Fatma Celik provided her perspective on World Water Day to Anadolu/

Celik, highlighting that 70% of the planet is comprised of water, drew attention to the continuously increasing global water consumption rates.

She said the increasing global population and stagnant water resources are predicted to lead to a looming water crisis.

"In our era, we are consuming more water than necessary, remaining silent, and unfortunately delaying finding solutions for the future world," she said.

Climate change is one of the "greatest existential challenges" affecting humanity in this century, according to Celik.

She noted that the situation has "particularly significant consequences" in densely populated and economically active areas.

The degradation observed in natural and production areas results in various economic, social and environmental issues, including poverty, health issues, food insecurity, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, decreased climate resilience and forced migration, she said, adding that habitat degradation, due to desertification and land degradation, is identified as a primary cause of biodiversity loss.

Celik highlighted the negative effect of rainfall levels falling below recorded norms on water sources, soil, interconnected life and production systems.

"The consequences of climate change, such as rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall in many parts of the world, are increasing the frequency and intensity of drought events," she said.

"Contamination of land water can have far-reaching effects on distant ecosystems when it flows into the ocean. Access to clean water is essential for human health.

"However, increasing pollution leads to an increase in waterborne diseases due to possible microorganisms in addition to water quality,” said Celik.

-Soil loss and degradation

Celik noted that the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides to enhance agricultural yield in Türkiye has resulted in water pollution and increased eutrophication.

She highlighted that heavy metals like cadmium, present in phosphorus fertilizers, contaminate the soil.

About 70% of the world's arid areas have been degraded, said Celik.

Desertification causes the loss of around 24 billion tons of topsoil annually, leading to physical and biochemical degradation, she said.

-Importance of drainage systems

Celik highlighted the "significance of drainage systems" in areas where surface irrigation is practiced for the conservation of soil and water resources.

She noted that in irrigation networks where irrigation culture is underdeveloped and natural drainage is lacking, excessive water usage leads to salinization, posing a threat to agricultural soils.

"Along with Türkiye, the Mediterranean region and tropical and subtropical grassland ecosystems are also significantly at risk due to aridity," she added.