Ljubljana and Izmir join forces in the fight against drought and for wetland conservation

• Increase the adaptability and resilience of Izmir and Ljubljana to the negative effects of drought,
• Develop an effective local, regional, and sectoral strategy based on existing data,
• Establish a tangible and sustainable network between the two cities,
• Raise public awareness, especially among the youth, about the importance of wetlands such as the Ljubljana Marsh and the Gediz Delta,
• Enhance the knowledge of farmers and other specific groups.

Consequences of Increasing Drought and the Importance of Wetland Conservation

Over the past two decades, the United Nations has estimated that drought has affected 1.5 billion people and caused economic damage of at least 124 billion dollars (UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2021). Climate change is likely to increase the duration and intensity of droughts, while extensive urbanization processes contribute to increased urban water demand. According to the European Environment Agency, southern Europe and Mediterranean countries face severe water scarcity challenges throughout the year in many river basins, with key pressures on water resources coming from agricultural use, public water supply, and tourism (EEA Report, 2020). Urban vulnerability to drought is increasing in many regions worldwide.

Wetlands are among the most endangered ecosystems globally, having been regulated, filled, and drained by humans for centuries. Today, it is clear that wetlands provide crucial ecosystem services to society, leading to a change in attitudes toward them. During droughts, wetlands serve as water sources, and during floods, they retain water and act as natural floodplains protecting urban areas. Recently, wetlands have also been recognized as significant carbon sinks and one of the most effective green solutions for mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. Although wetlands cover only 5-8% of the land surface, they sequester around 830 Tg of carbon annually, with an average of 118 g-C m-2 year-1 of net carbon retention*.

Pilot Area in Turkey: Gediz Delta

Turkey is among the countries rapidly experiencing the effects of climate change. Turkish climate scenarios based on global climate models predict a temperature increase of up to 6°C by 2100 and a decrease in precipitation by 250-300 mm by 2050. The city of Izmir and the Aegean region are expected to be among the most affected areas, making drought one of Turkey’s primary climate threats. The project will focus on addressing drought and conserving wetlands in the Gediz Delta Nature Reserve in Izmir.

Drought and Wetlands in Ljubljana and the Region

In Ljubljana and the Ljubljana Urban Region, challenges in managing urban and rural drought are increasing. During the major drought in 2022, more than 30% of the usual annual production of individual crops was destroyed in the City of Ljubljana, prompting the city to begin collecting damage reports related to the drought. In the urban environment, trees were the most affected, leading to the implementation of a special watering regime. Residents of Ljubljana experience the worst effects of annual heat waves. The city is actively implementing measures to sustainably cool urban areas. Alongside short-term solutions such as misting systems and drinking fountains, the number of which increases every year, Ljubljana actively follows its policy of expanding green spaces and other innovative solutions, maintaining its status as one of the greenest cities in Europe. It is crucial to emphasize and raise awareness of the importance of wetlands as natural water retention areas.

Near Ljubljana, in the Ljubljana Marsh Landscape Park, lies the Iški morost Nature Reserve along the Iška River, which encompasses typical marshland habitats. It is a mosaic of extensive wet meadows, sedge beds, and floodplain forests. Approximately 40 ha of wet meadows with wetland characteristics are part of the 64 ha reserve. The establishment of the reserve is credited to DOPPS, which manages it to preserve endangered meadow species, test and promote nature-friendly wet meadow management, and educate the general and professional public. They collaborate with volunteers and local farmers. Many nature conservation measures in agricultural landscapes available to all farmers today were designed and tested in this reserve.

Through the project, the City of Ljubljana can gain valuable knowledge about the effects of drought, especially specific knowledge that can benefit the protection of the Ljubljana Marsh, an important farming area that represents an extremely valuable ecosystem on the edge of the largest urban area in the country and as a wetland urgently needs a plan for managing drought and related issues.

*Source: W.J. Mitsch, B. Bernal, A.M. Nahlik, U. Mander, L. Zhang, C.J. Anderson, S.E. Jørgensen, H. Brix (2012): Wetlands, carbon, and climate change. Landscape Ecol. DOI 10.1007/s10980-012-9758-8

The project is funded by the European Union under the TTGS-II program: Town Twinning between Turkey and the EU – II (Twinning for a Green Future). The content of this website is the sole responsibility of RRA LUR and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.