California is not only known for Hollywood and Silicon Valley but also for being an agricultural powerhouse. In 2022, the state’s agricultural products sales reached $59 billion. However, due to climate change and over-pumping, farming practices may need to undergo significant changes. There is even a possibility of fields being taken out of cultivation as a result of legislation to address these issues.
Anna Boser, a doctoral student at UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, stated that there is potential for less intrusive methods of water conservation to become more important than previously believed. This could mean that fewer changes in land use are necessary than initially thought.
California’s fertile soils and Mediterranean climate allow for the cultivation of high-value crops that are not feasible in other parts of the country. The state’s Department of Food and Agriculture reports that over a third of the country’s vegetables and nearly three-quarters of fruits and nuts are grown in California.
However, many of these crops require a significant amount of water. Agriculture accounts for approximately 80% of water usage in California, according to Kelly Caylor, a professor at the Bren School. With declining groundwater levels and a changing climate, it is crucial to find ways to maximize water usage.
In 2014, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed in Sacramento to ensure the sustainability of California’s water resources. SGMA requires that every groundwater basin in the state be sustainable by 2040, with each basin establishing a local agency responsible for developing a plan to achieve this goal.
2024-03-25 08:00:04
Source from phys.org