Orlivka Community Adaptation Plan to Climate Change Impacts Odesa 2015

Adaptation measures main directions

Adaptation measures have regional and local format and character that are specifically coordinated and combined in terms of their scale and / or content.

1. Integrated economy and sustainable development

In terms of compliance with principles of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change "integrated economy" of community as a whole sub-region Southern Bessarabia focused on the effectiveness of multi-effectiveness - in a task / event, several factors are taken into account and scheduled to receive a multiplier effect. Integrated economy allows minimizing risks that occur from climate change. For example, the risks of loss the harvest due to the climate change impact such as flooding or drought; in case of an integrated land use, for example by combining the production of biofuels, grazing, tourism and other activities in the same territory, the vulnerability to climate change effects will be minimal.

Among the socio-economic and environmental directions of integrated natural resources may be noted the following areas that have been developed together with the community or agreed during the discussion of the draft plan:

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  Integrated use of floodplains and implementation of pilot projects that combine energy plantations, grazing, livestock production, tourism, etc.;
  
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  Pilot project implementation on heating for municipal facilities based on biomass plantations of willow and cane;
  
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  Organization and development of local and cross-border tourism based on international experience;
  
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  Organization the effective system of removal and sorting of waste in the village, using organic waste in production of organic fertilizer - humus (bio humus).
  
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  Search for optimal forms of united economic and environmental activities on sustainable development principles, for example, ecological park in a place with a unique natural landscape and to design, if necessary and appropriate, the status objects of natural reserve fund.
  

Integrated approach in result should bring an employment, effective and economical attitude to local resources, new community economic development, accomplishment and security.

Among the significant factors contributing to economic development, should be emphasized available transit status of Orlivka village (route Odessa - Ismail - Reni) and its strengthening due to Orlivka ferry - across Danube Isaccea Project. It should be noted that implementation of this project will increase the traffic flow and technogenic burden on the community in general and separate territories in particular.

At the same time the significant coastline p. Danube - 11.5 km is an important factor for development various activities primarily related to tourism and environmental protection.

As for any economic project, it should be noted that they have implemented for a specific comprehensive plan / program, which should include impact and effects on other components: environment, population, infrastructure, security and engineering protection of the area.

In this context, sustainable community development is a harmonious, balanced combination of economic activities with the environmental measures in the interests of future generations and the current interests of local population. Development of transport sector, roadside service, tourism and environmental protection without damage to environment, taking into account economical attitude to local resources - that will give an opportunity to diversify the economic structure of community, to improve the employment situation. At the same time promoting local initiatives, including the relevant projects, should strengthen the institutional capacity of community, to intensify outsourcing, including attracting grants from international foundations. At the same time, a signal to investors will be the local activity - preparing relevant conditions, community and authority readiness to provide appropriate organizational measures that should get proper information and technical support (planning / urban planning documentation, community strategy and investment passport, website, web portal, etc.).

Adaptation Measures:

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  Actualize digital (vector) cartographic basis for the urban planning documentation development at the local level (village General Plan), including further modelling of processes, including the nature and directions of using territories;
  
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  Develop planning documentation at the local level (master plans, zoning plans and detailed plans of territories) taking into account the updated cartographic basis and objectives for measures of adaptation to climate change on sustainable development principles for local communities. Provide a space for implementation the new forms of environmental and economic activities combination;
  
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  Prepare recommendations for designing (updating, correction) documents, which determine the territory development and community itself (strategy, program development plans, community status and passport) considering the activities and tasks of adaptation to climate change;
  
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  To identify promising areas for implementation of projects on integrated economy.
  

As for territorial development planning with the community Orlivka village community and the surrounding areas, it should be noted that district planning scheme was approved (2014) in Reni district, which has a particular impact on planning and use of land outside the settlements. The scheme was developed on actualized cartographical basis. However, for the project Ferry across the Danube near the village Orlivka was developed a detailed plan for territory outside the settlements, which increases the investment capacity to the local community.

2. Water management and minimizing the risks associated with flooding and other natural hazards

At the local level, adaptation should focus on improving economic water using, water-saving technologies and the implementation of decentralized wastewater treatment systems.

One of the priorities at the regional level should be increasing the water exchange in the system Danube lakes / reservoirs (Cahul-Cartan-Kugurluy-Yalpug) with Danube River, to improve hydrological connection of floodplain wetlands with rivers and lakes that will contribute to water quality improvement in reservoirs, will reduce the risks and minimize losses associated with flooding. Improving water quality and increase the useful volume of lakes / reservoirs can be regarded as an effective measure on adaptation the economy system of region to more arid climate.

As shown above, extreme and dangerous weather events such as storms, tornadoes, storms and dust storms, heavy rains and snow, thunderstorms and hail, will occur more frequently and will have power that is more destructive. However, the biggest losses can be expected from flooded areas and infrastructure due to heavy rains and by increasing the frequency and intensity of floods on Danube River.

Adaptation Measures:

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  Restore a system of centralized water supply using water-saving technologies;
  

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  Implement a system of decentralized sewage treatment, for example, bio Plato type, primarily for public facilities (schools, kindergarten, etc.);
  
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  Improve management of Danube lakes, reservoirs and wetlands of the long-term forecasts of water level of the Danube, the local water runoff, taking into account the necessity of preserving and restore the ecosystems and sustainable use of resources;
  
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  Initiate the development and implementation of projects aimed at increasing water exchange in the system of lakes / reservoirs Cahul-Kartal- Kugurluy-Yalpug, for improving the quality of water, restoring the irrigation systems and creating conditions for industrial water supply;
  
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  Lobby complete formation and deployment of urban cadastre at regional and local levels on the basis of the updated urban planning documentation processes to manage urban development, zoning, modelling and forecasting situations on the dissemination of information on emergencies, including climate change related;
  
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  Develop a detailed map of potential flooding zones of varying security to determine the residential units and community Orlivka territorial infrastructure places at risk, to conduct an appropriate zoning for future use of local long, medium and short-term development plans;
  
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  Announce a moratorium on construction in areas of potential flooding according to the aforementioned map, and develop an action plan for early warning of residents;
  
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  Lobby the issue of modernization of flood control waterworks along the road Izmail-Reni in the area between the village Orlivka and the city Reni;
  
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  Lobby the installation weather radar in Danube region of Ukraine for early prediction of dangerous, weather phenomena, heavy rains, torrential floods, hail;
  
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  Require the modernization of regional early warning of dangerous, weather events and emergencies of natural and man-made (emergency pollution of Danube and Danube Lakes, fires, etc.), involving representatives of rural communities;
  
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  Develop and implement a storm water drainage system in the area of potential flood risk;
  
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  To promote the dissemination of information on the means of modernization and strengthening of residential buildings and commercial buildings in areas of potential flooding;
  
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  Restore the forest protection stripes for combating dust storms and improve agro-climatic conditions of growing of plants.
  

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   Adaptation of agriculture
   

Orlivka village community has a considerable specialization in the production of agricultural products, so almost 69% of community lands are used for agriculture and the majority of working population works in this area.

The main factor influencing climate change on agriculture in the region of the Danube Delta will reduce the amount of precipitation and torrential their character, increase duration of period without rain and moisture shortages in summer season. The number and intensity of droughts in the region will increase. On the other hand, the increase of average temperature, softening the winter and lengthening the growing season - create more favourable conditions for growing winter crops¹ and reviewing the terms of seeding the spring crops²; all these give tan opportunity to obtain a second crop in summer (Vulnerability of the Danube Delta Region to Climate Change. Synthesis Report//assets.panda.org/downloads/vulnerability_of_the_danube_delta_final.pdf). The timing of grains crops harvest is expected to be earlier: the first second decade of June - for the winter wheat. Thus, starting in July is possible to grow crops, after the harvest of the main crop. However, preservation of the number of days with strong frosts can significantly affect the distribution of agriculture of new heat-loving perennial crops in the region.

Adaptation Measures:

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  Promote the implementation of agricultural practices adapted to new conditions of temperature and humidification mode:
  

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  to orient farmers on cultivation of winter and early ripening crops;
  
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  to change the timing of planting (sowing winter crops 20-25 days later (9-16 October); spring planting will need to carry out for 10-14 days earlier);
  
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  to grow a second crop after harvesting the main (winter wheat, spring barley);
  
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  to grow a second crop after harvesting the main (winter wheat, spring barley);
  
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  To develop new crop rotation and more.
  

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  Use agricultural crops adapted to new agro-climatic conditions of the region and implement crops resistant to droughts;
  
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  Initiate (offer) creation of advisory center in agricultural production in Reni district.
  

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  Presentation of the best modern farming methods and training farmers and local authorities to adapt to drought, in particular - improving the retain moisture in the soil;
  
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  Presentation the humidity preservation best practices and organization of training courses for farmers and relevant industry bodies.
  

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  To promote implementation of thermophile species polyculture in crop production in combination with less sensitive to drought. If one culture suffers, others can tolerate drought and continue to give good harvests;
  
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  To optimize the of land fund structure of local community, taking into account risks to soil fertility due to climate change, to reduce the level of tilled agricultural land (reduce soil open area);
  
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  Increase the area of land under perennial plantations and forests, what will contribute to reduce the level of tilled land and increase the area of covered with vegetation in general;
  
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  Promote change in the balance between crop and livestock in agriculture. Promote the restoration of steppe areas using them as pastures;
  
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  Facilitate (initiate) the development and implementation of contingency plans for severe droughts with storage capacity of Danube lakes and other reservoirs in the region. Develop water-management mode of reservoirs operation in the case of extreme drought;
  
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  Adapt / reconstruct existing irrigation systems with a wider introduction of new water-saving technology (drip irrigation).
  

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