Experts views on water scarcity and flooding from six countries around the black sea region

Abstract

Two of the major problems related to water, are scarcity and flooding. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of both phenomena. The Black Sea region is of special inter-est to water resources because it is a closed basin with European Union and non-European Union countries. The sustainable management of the water resources requires the collaboration of all the countries of the Basin. In this study, the views of water management experts in the Black Sea region of six countries in regard to water scarcity, flooding, climate change impacts, and their interactions were collected and analyzed with an online web questionnaire. The participants of the questionnaire were from: Greece, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. The results of such a questionnaire are important because experts and stakeholders views will help implement socially acceptable water management plans. Based on the participants answers water scarcity was considered a serious problem in four of the countries. In contrast, all countries considered flooding a serious problem. Most participants considered that these problems will increase in the future and that measures need to be taken. These suggested measures included better water and forest management, improving equipment and infrastructure, utilizing new technologies and enhancing awareness.