New Approaches to Landscape-Scale Adaptation in the Face of Droughts and Floods
On November 12, 2024, as part of the MTA Science Celebration+ lecture series, an insightful presentation titled “New Approaches to Landscape-Scale Adaptation in the Face of Droughts and Floods” was delivered by Judit Mádl-Szőnyi (ELTE). The event, moderated by Szilvia Simon (ELTE), began with a warm welcome to the audience both in person and online. Szilvia emphasized the relevance of the topic, noting the widespread impact of climate change on water resources. She highlighted Mádl-Szőnyi’s extensive experience and contributions to hydrogeology, mentioning that Professor József Tóth, the father of modern hydrogeology and the most renowned and cited hydrogeologist, who was also Judit’s mentor, praised her unique understanding and intuition in the field.
The presentation began with a striking account of the Judit’s experiences at the International Conference of Hydrogeologists in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the rapid succession of seasonal changes and the subsequent severe flooding of the Danube. This anecdote set the stage for a deeper discussion on the dual threats of drought and flood, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in our approach to water management.
Key topics covered included:
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Hydrological Extremes: The increasing frequency of extreme wet and dry events globally, as evidenced by satellite data from NASA and German researchers, and their significant correlation with global warming.
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Regional Impacts: Specific observations from the Carpathian Basin, where despite stable annual precipitation levels, rising average temperatures have led to more intense rainfall events and prolonged drought periods.
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Innovative Solutions: The potential of aquifer storage as a means to balance the extremes of drought and water abundance. Judit shared insights from a collaborative international research team, exploring the use of underground aquifers for both water extraction and storage.
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Local Initiatives: Examples of successful local projects, such as the LIFE-MICACC project, which employs nature-based solutions for water retention on ground surface.
A highlight of the presentation was the introduction of the NaBa-MAR® concept, a European trademarked approach developed by ELTE’ hydrogeology research group. This method integrates natural groundwater flow processes with managed aquifer recharge (MAR) technologies to create sustainable, landscape-scale water management solutions.
Additionally, a video demonstration showcased a physical model of an infiltration basin, providing the audience with a visual understanding of how these systems work below the surface. This engaging visual aid allowed attendees to gain a clearer insight into the mechanics of nature-based aquifer storage and its potential benefits.
Following the presentation, a lively discussion ensued between Judit and Szilvia. Szilvia posed several insightful questions, which sparked an engaging Q&A session involving the audience. This interactive segment allowed for a deeper exploration of the topics discussed and provided a platform for attendees to share their perspectives and queries.
Judit Mádl-Szőnyi and Szilvia Simon during the engaging Q&A session
The presentation underscored the importance of integrating groundwater processes into our understanding and management of the hydrological cycle. It called for a collaborative approach, leveraging the latest research and technologies to develop sustainable, landscape-scale solutions that can mitigate the impacts of climate change and human impacts on water resources. The ClimEx-PE project is a key initiative in this field, demonstrating the practical applications of these innovative strategies.
For those interested in a more detailed exploration of these topics, the full presentation is available in Hungarian with automatic English subtitles on YouTube: Watch the full presentation.