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2020-05-01

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cc-by (c) Angelakis, Andreas N. et al., 2020
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/174031

Irrigation of World Agricultural Lands: Evolution through the Millennia

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051285

Abstract

Many agricultural production areas worldwide are characterized by high variability of water supply conditions, or simply lack of water, creating a dependence on irrigation since Neolithic times. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the evolution of irrigation of agricultural lands worldwide, based on bibliographical research focusing on ancient water management techniques and ingenious irrigation practices and their associated land management practices. In ancient Egypt, regular flooding by the Nile River meant that early agriculture probably consisted of planting seeds in soils that had been recently covered and fertilized with floodwater and silt deposits. On the other hand, in arid and semi-arid regions farmers made use of perennial springs and seasonal runoff under circumstances altogether different from the river civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India,and early dynasties in China. We review irrigation practices in all major irrigation regions through the centuries. Emphasis is given to the Bronze Age civilizations (Minoans, Egyptians, and Indus valley), pre-Columbian, civilizations from the historic times (e.g., Chinese, Hellenic, and Roman), late-Columbians (e.g., Aztecs and Incas) and Byzantines, as well as to Ottomans and Arabs. The implications and impacts of irrigation techniques on modern management of water resources, as well as on irrigated agriculture, are also considered and discussed. Finally, some current major agricultural water management challenges are outlined, concluding that ancient practices could be adapted to cope with present challenges in irrigated agriculture for increasing productivity and sustainability.

Subject

Regatge, Aigua en l'agricultura, Història de la civilització

Subject (English)

Irrigation, Water in agriculture, Civilization history

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Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient)

Citation

ANGELAKIS, Andreas N., et al. Irrigation of World Agricultural Lands: Evolution through the Millennia. Water. 2020. Vol. 12(5), num. 1285. ISSN 2073-4441. [consulted: 11 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/174031

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