The Importance of Water in a Changing Climate
In the history of humankind, no resource has been as significant as water – the namesake and lifeblood of the Blue Planet. It holds the memories of our past and the hope for our future. As the effects of climate change intensify, ensuring the availability of clean, reliable water resources is critical for maintaining food security and sustainable agricultural practices around the world.
Researchers at Kansas State University are leading the way in addressing these challenges through innovative water research projects. By testing domestic well water, studying the impacts of water contamination, and developing new irrigation techniques powered by machine learning and computer modeling, these experts are working to safeguard water quality, promote climate-smart farming, and prevent water loss – all with profound implications for families, food, and the future.
“We can’t live without water. But what happens when the water we drink to survive gets contaminated, and the resource threatens our health?”
Geologists Matthew Kirk and Karin Goldberg are tackling this very question, testing domestic well water across Kansas for elevated nitrate levels that could lead to serious health complications if left untreated. Through the Kansas Groundwater Geopaths program, their teams sample water from private wells, analyze the chemistry, and share the findings with well owners – many of whom are shocked to learn about the dangerous contaminants in their drinking water.
“She had no idea that she should be getting her water tested, and she had no idea there was a problem. She was just drinking that water.”
Goldberg’s research in counties with high cancer rates also investigates potential links between water contamination and public health, overlaying data on water quality, land use, and family health histories to better understand these critical connections. Community education is a key part of both teams’ work, empowering residents to address water quality issues and adopt safer water treatment options.
Irrigation Innovation: Ensuring Water Security through Technology
While Kansas is known as the “Breadbasket of the Nation,” the state’s water resources are under threat. Researchers Vaishali Sharda and Daran Rudnick are developing advanced irrigation practices to help farmers maximize their water use efficiency and maintain food production, even as the climate changes.
Sharda integrates data from soil moisture sensors, drone imagery, and satellite sources to create computer models that can forecast water availability and the resilience of food production systems. By optimizing the timing and amount of irrigation, she demonstrates how the same crop yields can be achieved using much less water, preserving this finite resource for the future.
Rudnick’s Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program in western Kansas takes a collaborative approach, inviting local producers to share their innovative irrigation ideas. The research team then tests these methods using the latest agricultural technologies, providing farmers with real-time, actionable data to improve their water management strategies.
“If I can help improve the technologies and decision-support tools for producers, then that’s a win.”
Daran Rudnick’s use of artificial intelligence to analyze large data sets from multiple states allows him to uncover the complex connections between irrigation practices, soil conditions, weather variables, and crop yields. This cutting-edge research empowers farmers to make more informed decisions, adapting their methods to the realities of a water-stressed future.
Closing the Loop: Recovering Resources from Wastewater
As the world prepares for a future with less water, every drop becomes increasingly precious. Prathap Parameswaran, an associate professor of civil engineering, has taken an innovative approach to water conservation by recovering resources from swine wastewater.
Parameswaran pairs anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology with constructed wetlands to treat livestock wastewater, extracting not just clean water, but also valuable byproducts like fertilizers, bioplastics, and animal feed additives. This “total resource recovery” process sustains the wetlands, reuses the water for agriculture, and generates multiple revenue streams – all while protecting the environment.
“We can discharge water of reliable quality to a surface body while providing some valuable benefits through the wetland in terms of ecosystem restoration for that area.”
By rethinking “waste” as a misplaced resource, Parameswaran’s research demonstrates how integrated, nature-based solutions can address the interconnected challenges of water scarcity, soil health, and sustainable food production. This holistic approach is essential for building resilient agricultural systems in the face of climate change.
Microbes, Biochar, and Soil Health: Preserving Moisture for Climate-Smart Farming
Another interdisciplinary team at Kansas State University, led by Melanie Derby and Mirit Shamir, is exploring the use of soil microbes and biochar to enhance moisture retention and nutrient dynamics. Their Microbial Innovations for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (MICRA) project has three key thrusts:
- Using the wetting bacteria Bacillus subtilis to maintain soil moisture and reduce evaporation rates.
- Combining the wetting bacteria with biochar, a carbon-rich material made from organic waste, to improve both moisture retention and nutrient availability.
- Engaging with farmers to understand perceptions and adoption of these soil amendments.
“With climate change and drier, hotter days, we will need to use more water. As the natural resources are depleting, that will be a problem. We hope that our research will help reduce the amount of irrigation that’s needed in the field, which will preserve the livelihoods of rural communities.”
The preliminary results from MICRA’s lab, greenhouse, and field experiments have been promising, showing reduced evaporation rates and improved soil properties. By leveraging the power of beneficial microbes and sustainable soil management practices, this research aims to help farmers adapt to the realities of a changing climate while maintaining crucial food production.
The Cultural Value of Water: Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into Sustainable Solutions
Throughout history, water has held deep cultural significance, shaping the traditions, livelihoods, and identities of communities around the world. As the climate crisis unfolds, understanding and valuing this cultural context is essential for developing effective, equitable, and enduring water and agricultural solutions.
Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) often contains valuable insights into sustainable water management practices that have been refined over generations. In the Sahel region of Africa, for example, local populations have developed and implemented various adaptation strategies to sustain their resilience in the face of climate threats.
“There is an inherent adaptability of indigenous people who are particularly connected to land use, developed for many centuries to produce specific solutions to particular climate change challenges.”
Recognizing the contributions of ILK can enrich modern mitigation and adaptation approaches, integrating cultural beliefs, values, and practices into the design and implementation of sustainable food systems. This integrative approach not only honors traditional knowledge but also enhances the relevance and longevity of climate solutions.
At the same time, it is important to understand how some entrenched cultural norms and beliefs can pose barriers to climate change adaptation. Navigating this nuanced landscape requires a deep respect for diverse worldviews and a commitment to collaborative, community-driven processes.
Adapting the Food System: Holistic Strategies for Climate Resilience
Addressing the water-food-climate nexus requires a systemic, multi-faceted approach that spans the entire food system – from production and supply chains to consumption and waste. Adaptation strategies can be categorized as autonomous, incremental, or transformational, each playing a critical role in enhancing the resilience of communities and ecosystems.
Autonomous adaptation, such as farmers adjusting planting schedules or integrating livestock and crops, often represents an immediate response to environmental changes. Incremental adaptations, like improving soil management or adopting new irrigation technologies, build on existing systems to enhance their performance. Transformational adaptations, such as shifting to alternative livelihoods or embracing radically different farming models, can fundamentally reshape food production in the face of high-end climate change scenarios.
“If high-end scenarios of climate change eventuate, the food security of farmers and consumers will depend on how transformational change in food systems is managed.”
Diversification is a key strategy for increasing the resilience of food systems. Agroecological approaches that promote agrobiodiversity, integrated pest management, and the use of neglected and underutilized crop species can help buffer against climate extremes, enhance nutrient cycling, and provide multiple livelihood benefits.
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) harnesses the power of nature, using practices like agroforestry, constructed wetlands, and conservation agriculture to address climate challenges while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity, water security, and carbon sequestration.
Demand-side adaptations, such as adopting healthy and sustainable diets, reducing food loss and waste, and shifting consumer preferences, can also play a crucial role in alleviating pressure on land and water resources, while improving nutrition and health outcomes.
Institutional Enablers: Scaling Up Adaptation through Global, National, and Local Action
Realizing the full potential of food system adaptation requires robust institutional support and enabling conditions at multiple scales. At the global level, initiatives like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Climate-Smart Agriculture approach provide vital policy frameworks and technical assistance.
At the national level, countries are developing innovative institutional partnerships to integrate local adaptation planning with broader climate change strategies. For example, Nepal’s Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) model combines the expertise of researchers, government agencies, and farming communities to devise location-specific, culturally-relevant solutions.
Community-based adaptation (CBA) approaches further empower local stakeholders, drawing on social capital, traditional ecological knowledge, and collaborative decision-making to address climate impacts. By fostering inclusive processes and addressing underlying vulnerabilities, CBA can help bridge the gap between global policies and grassroots realities.
Institutional measures such as early warning systems, remote sensing technologies, financial risk management tools, and capacity-building programs can also play a critical role in scaling up food system adaptation at all levels. As climate change intensifies, the need for coordinated, multi-stakeholder action has never been more urgent.
Conclusion: Sustaining Water, Sustaining Life
Water is the foundation upon which all life depends, and its centrality to food production and security cannot be overstated. As the impacts of climate change continue to unfold, the research and innovations showcased in this article offer a glimpse into the multifaceted efforts to safeguard this precious resource and build resilient, sustainable agricultural systems.
From testing water quality and developing precision irrigation to recovering valuable resources from wastewater and enhancing soil moisture through natural processes, these pioneering projects demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and a holistic, systems-level approach.
Ultimately, ensuring the availability of clean, reliable water for current and future generations will require a profound shift in how we value, manage, and integrate water into the very fabric of our food systems and cultural landscapes. By honoring traditional knowledge, empowering local communities, and scaling up innovative adaptation strategies, we can chart a path towards a more resilient, water-secure future – one that sustains the lifeblood of our planet and all who depend on it.
