Climate change adaptation for drinking water and ecological flows through sustainable agricultural practices

Analysing the impacts of climate change on water resources is crucial to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize actions. We investigated climate change impacts on drinking water supply, emphasizing sustainable agriculture as an adaptation strategy, using the SWAT model in the Cávado River basin, Portugal. Our study highlights an increase in months with river discharge below ecological flow post water abstraction due to climate change. Notably, nitrate concentration was more influenced by sustainable agriculture practices than climate change. Our study highlights the vital role of adaptive strategies, especially sustainable agriculture, in securing water resources amidst challenges posed by climate change.