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Volume XXIII |

The climate-agriculture nexus. The water footprint of maize production (Northern Bulgaria as a case study)

Abstract: The water footprint of maize production serves as a comprehensive indicator, encompassing both direct water use for crop yields and indirect water use, including virtual water trade. This indicator provides insight into the total water required throughout the production process, making it essential for understanding water sustainability in agriculture. The main objective of this research is to expand the understanding of how climate variability affects agricultural practices, focusing on promoting sustainable water use in crop production. Specifically, the study emphasizes the assessment and analysis of both green water (rainfall) and blue water (irrigation water) used in maize cultivation in Northern Bulgaria.
The study draws upon several key data sources, including climatic information (such as air temperature, and precipitation) and agricultural and statistical data from local authorities and farmers (covering crop parameters, yields, and irrigation practices). The water footprint for maize cultivation was calculated and assessed using Cropwat software. This analysis determines the irrigation needs across different crop management strategies. The investigated period was 1961-2022, with a specific focus on the water footprints during the extremely dry and wet years. The findings highlight critical areas of water usage and scarcity. Understanding the water footprint and its connection to climate and agriculture can aid in managing water resources and addressing the environmental and economic challenges associated with water scarcity and drought.

Volume XX |

Ecoclimatic characteristics of the south-western slope of the Pirin Mountains (Bulgaria)

Abstract: The paper characterizes thermal and humidity conditions within one of the insufficiently investigated parts of Bulgaria from the climate point of view, namely the south-western slope of the Pirin Mountains. The initial data for the study (monthly temperatures and precipitation amounts) were obtained from our own meteorological monitoring station for the period 2013-2021, organized by the Department of Climatology, Hydrology and Geomorphology, Sofia University, Bulgaria. By the calculation of Mayr tetratherm (MT), monthly De Martonne aridity index (Im) and Compensated Summer Ombrothermic index (CSOi) the predominance of humid conditions in the studied area is established. There is a large inter-annual variability of the De Martonne aridity index and the Compensated Summer Ombrothermic index, which are more influenced by precipitation than air temperature in the middle part of the mountains. On the other hand, in combination with low precipitation amounts, high temperatures in recent years have contributed to the manifestation of arid features of the climate. The results of the study supplement the insufficient information about the bioclimatic characteristics of the Pirin Mountains and clarify the peculiarities of the climate in these mountains, which have two clearly distinguishable macroslopes with west-southwest and east-northeast exposure.