EUROPEAN TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION IN TRANSITION PART II: TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION IN OUR TIME-DECLINE, REDISCOVERY AND RESTORATION PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The first part of this review demonstrates that before the twentieth century, traditional irrigation schemes were widespread and a characteristic feature of European landscapes. Rapid decline in traditional irrigation practice ensued following the arrival of agricultural industrialization. Today working traditional irrigation systems are rare exceptions, yet relic features can still frequently be found in the field. Consequently, the tradition of irrigation is diminishing and comprehensive documentation and reconstruction are urgent issues. Moreover, full recognition of irrigation tradition as a rural patrimony of high complexity is needed. Irreversible demise of irrigation operation entails the loss of genuine traditional irrigation landscapes as they were a characteristic part of many regions once. Indeed, interest in traditional irrigation has reawakened recently. Beneficial functions and services of traditional irrigation have been recognized apart from purely agricultural profitability. Increasingly initiatives for revitalization of irrigation emerge, often from nature, biodiversity and landscape conservation circles. Due to conflicts and competing management demands local restoration projects face many challenges. Yet a great potential for creating win–win outcomes by adequate multifunctional landscape management is demonstrated by the existing projects, where the restoration of an extensive heritage landscape could be realized. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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