CECILIA - Central and Eastern Europe Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment

Background and Goals

The project aims to improve the understanding of climate change in Central and Eastern Europe and the associated effects for forestry, agriculture, hydrology and air quality. The work focuses on applying regional climate models with sufficient detail to analyse the key sectors for the different regions in local climate effect studies. This is done by performing detailed studies for hydrology, water quality and water management, air quality in urban areas, agriculture and forestry.

The primary objective is to integrate the various completed and ongoing modelling activities and methods, to provide a basis for smaller scale studies of the effects of climate change and the vulnerability of important sectors of society and ecosystems. The project cooperates closely with the European projects MICE, STARDEX, PRUDENCE and ENSEMBLES.

Content time

to

Research area/region

Country
  • Germany
  • Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
Region of implementation (all German federal states)
  • Saxony
Natural spatial classification
  • Erz Mountains, Thuringian Forest and Bavarian Forest

Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change

Step 1: Understand and describe climate change

Approach and results 

Quantification of climate projections based on regional climate models with a scale of 10 x 10 km, using downscaling methods. Scenarios are developed in conjunction with the ENSEMBLES project

Parameter (climate signals)
  • Heat waves
  • Altered rainfall patterns
  • Higher average temperatures
  • Extreme precipitation (incl. hail, snow)
  • Dry periods
Further Parameters 

changed weather patterns, climate variability

Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact

Approach and results 

The following climate effects are analysed and evaluated:

  •  Consequences for the hydrological cycle with effects on water management and water resources;
  •  Consequences for water quality due to changed nutrient composition and concentration, as well as eutrophication effects in rivers and reservoirs used for drinking water and as recreation areas;
  •  Consequences of extreme events such as floods or drought for the Elbe and Danube drainage basins;
  •  Consequences for agriculture, such as changed production conditions, yields and product qualities, with an impact on regional economies;
  •  Consequences for forestry due to changed growth rates of trees and consequences of changes in air pollution for forests;
  • Consequences of changed occurrence and activity of pests and illnesses for selected crop plants and forest ecosystems;
  •  Consequences of a changed carbon cycle for agriculture and forest ecosystems;
  •  Impact of heat waves on the health of the population and the healthcare system;
  •  Changes in air quality in urban areas of the heavily industrialised Czech Republic, Poland and Germany border region ("Black Triangle").

Sensitivity analyses are performed for selected agricultural crop plants and for forest stocks susceptible to climate change.

Step 3: Develop and compare measures

Measures and/or strategies 

Based on an assessment of current water resource and water requirement management, adaptation measures have been developed. In addition, adaptation recommendations and management options for improve land use systems have been developed to increase agricultural production and enhance forest management.

Time horizon
  • 2071–2100 (far future)

Participants

Funding / Financing 

6th Framework Programme for Research of the European Union

Project management 

Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Meteorology, Prag (Czech Republic)

Cooperation/Partners 

Sixteen institutions from twelve European countries

Contact

Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Meteorology
V Holesovickach 2
CZ-18000 Prague 8
Czech Republic

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Fields of action:
 agriculture  human health and care  water regime and water management  woodland and forestry