Regional strategy of adaptation measures of the Pilsen Region for water retention in the landscape

Regional strategy of adaptation measures of the Pilsen Region for water retention in the landscape (ReSAM) is a strategic conceptual document intended to assess the vulnerability of the whole Pilsen Region territory to climate change and to outline appropriate action for climate change adaptation of the landscape. The ReSAM is only the first stage of the entire project. It resulted in selecting 20 priority areas that represent the main problems of the landscape, associated with its water regime. It analyses these priority areas in terms of runoff conditions, soil characteristics, land cover, ecosystem services and other phenomena associated with water and climate change, as well as accessibility of the land parcels concerned and feasibility of the remedial measures. The regional strategy follows on from the national strategy, which in turn draws on the EU strategy. At the same time, it is a precursor to detailed landscape planning studies and proposals on a detailed scale.

The basic spatial unit of the strategy is the fourth-order catchment. It is neither technically nor economically possible to implement the measures in the entire territory of the region. Therefore, the project selects so-called priority areas (PAs) where it is appropriate and expedient to implement the measures in the first place. These areas should also have a diverse representation of the identified problems so that the implementation of follow-up pilot projects brings the greatest possible effect and expands the knowledge base.

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The basic tool of the strategy for selecting priority areas is a multi-criteria analysis. A typical output should be a fourth-order catchment that is burdened with a number of problems, has high potential for implementing corrective measures, and demonstrates a need to address the problems identified.
In cooperation with the Regional Development Agency of the Pilsen Region, the potential willingness of municipalities to participate in projects was identified through a questionnaire survey. The outputs were also integrated into the evaluated indicators.

The multi-criteria analysis worked with 64 indicators. After processing each of them for the entire layer of the catchments in question, a score was assigned, and by summing up the scores for all evaluated indicators an overall ranking was produced, with the highest ranks given to catchments most burdened by problems and with the highest potential and need to address them through corrective measures.

For future work with the project outputs, it is possible to create different rankings, for example ordered by the risk of soil erosion, potential for infiltration, etc.

Then, 20 priority areas were selected for more detailed processing. Each of them was further analysed using the available data. The output for each area is a priority area card. The priority area cards are an effective tool for presenting the outputs of the multi-criteria analysis and the entire strategy. For even more detailed work with the project outputs, it is possible to use a map application where the basic layers displayed on the maps of the individual cards can be viewed.

More information about the project is available on the website of the Pilsen Region.

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