Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI

22/05/2026

New paper with the participation of the Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI:

Basel et al., 2026
𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍-𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒉𝒚𝒅𝒓𝒐(𝒈𝒆𝒐)𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑶𝒂𝒙𝒂𝒄𝒂, 𝑴𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒄𝒐
(La recarga gestionada de acuíferos a pequeña escala liderada por la población local puede atenuar la propagación de sequía: evidencia sociohidro(geo)lógica de Oaxaca, México)

This research assesses the role of small-scale managed aquifer recharge (s-MAR) in the attenuation of meteorological drought propagation.

In , , people have united to implement s-MAR techniques, using low-tech, ecologically sound, and low-cost structures to address water scarcity and drought. Efforts began shortly before an extreme drought in 2008–2009, and 2023–2024 brought the first significant meteorological drought since, offering an opportunity to assess s-MAR’s impact on drought
propagation.

Drawing on hydrogeological data, geospatial methods, climatic data, and social data, the analysis finds s-MAR attenuated drought propagation. The hydrological impact of s-MAR depended not only on biophysical and climate parameters but also on social factors.

This study shows that incorporating social sciences in hydrogeological research can help address hydrological data gaps, and the complementary use of biophysical data and qualitative social data can uncover dynamics that would remain invisible if only hydrological data or socio-economic data were considered. A sociohydro(geo)logical approach offers a more comprehensive understanding of the context of interventions and complex system dynamics, supporting more effective solutions to water management challenges.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10040-026-03070-x

Luigi Piemontese, Elena Bresci, Giulio Castelli

DAGRI UNIFI | Wageningen University & Research | Università degli Studi di Firenze

This research assesses the role of small-scale managed aquifer recharge (s-MAR) in the attenuation of meteorological drought propagation. Human activity can induce or aggravate the drought cascade, threatening groundwater-dependent communities. In Oaxaca, Mexico, people have united to implement s-MA...

19/05/2026

Don't forget to register to our Online Course on .

Applications close on 5th June!

Info and registration: https://www.dagri.unifi.it/vp-882-online-course-on-water-harvesting.html?newlang=eng

We will explore the theme "Water Harvesting in " through four modules running between July and September:

📕 Introduction to Water Harvesting and the Sub-Saharan Africa Socio-Ecological Context
📙 Micro-catchment Water Harvesting
📘 Macro-catchment Water Harvesting
📗 Flood-based Water Harvesting

(10) are available for candidates from water-scarce, resource-limited countries.

Università degli Studi di Firenze DAGRI UNIFI

15/05/2026

Dall’Ateneo al mondo: internazionalizzazione e cooperazione allo sviluppo in Unifi

Il 14 maggio 2026 si è svolto al Campus di Novoli l’evento “Dall’Ateneo al mondo”, una giornata dedicata alle iniziative di internazionalizzazione e cooperazione allo sviluppo dell’ degli Studi di Firenze.

Attraverso poster session, confronti istituzionali e tavole rotonde, l’incontro ha restituito la dimensione internazionale dell’Ateneo: mobilità, accordi scientifici, cooperazione con i Paesi partner, corridoi universitari per rifugiati, tutela della libertà accademica, Cattedre UNESCO e partecipazione alle reti europee.

Elena Bresci, coordinatrice del Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI, ha coordinato la sessione Cooperazione@Unifi, con Elisa Masi (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Firenze), Guido Zolezzi (Coordinatore Coordinamento Universitario per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, Università di Trento), Raffaella Milano (Save the Children Italia), Lorenzo Paoli (Area MEAL Oxfam - Oxford Committee for Famine Relief), Laura Vigoriti (Cooperazione per lo Sviluppo dei Paesi Emergenti COSPE onlus).

“Questo evento – ha commentato Elena – costituisce un’importante piattaforma programmatica che ribadisce il ruolo dell'Università di Firenze come attore sociale globale, capace di coniugare l’alta formazione con l’impatto locale nei paesi partner, promuovendo una cultura della solidarietà e dell’integrazione accademica nell’ambito della cooperazione internazionale.”

Per informazioni: https://www.unifi.it/it/news/dallateneo-al-mondo

DAGRI UNIFI
Scuola di Agraria - Università di Firenze

29/04/2026

New paper published coauthored by Lorenzo Villani, Giulio Castelli, Enrico Lucca and Elena Bresci from the Water Harvesting Lab.

Villani L, Piemontese L, Castelli G, Borgo A, Ghilain N, Van Schaeybroeck B, Lucca E, Aslam MF, Debolini M, Bouizrou I, Yimer EA, Baudewyn M, Jaramillo F, Trabucco A, van Griensven A, Penna D and Bresci E (2026). Neglecting plant physiology: systematic overestimation of drought projections. Environmental Research: Climate

By reviewing current literature, we show that most drought projections overlook a crucial mechanism thoroughly studied by climatologists, ecohydrologists, and ecophysiologists. Vegetation response to CO₂ implies an increased plant water-use efficiency and a reduced stomatal conductance, leading to lower atmospheric evaporative demand (AED).

AED is increasingly being considered in drought research through its inclusion in indices like the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). As most projections neglect this aspect, future drought is often overestimated, especially in arid climates under high-emission scenarios.

Based on a sample of publications, we quantify the overestimation of future drought-affected areas by up to 17.4% under high-emission scenarios.

We hope that this study will promote the consideration of vegetation response in new drought projections and foster collaboration between different research communities to improve our understanding of this fascinating but often neglected research topic.

Read the full Open Access paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5295/ae583c

Neglecting plant physiology: systematic overestimation of drought projections, Villani, Lorenzo, Piemontese, Luigi, Castelli, Giulio, Borgo, Andrea, Ghilain, Nicolas, Van Schaeybroeck, Bert, Lucca, Enrico, Aslam, Muhammad Faizan, Debolini, Marta, Bouizrou, Ismail, Yimer, Estifanos Addisu, Baudewyn,....

28/04/2026

The Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI at Macfrut with Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo

Our coordinator, Elena Bresci, participated in the roundtable on for and Adaptation with several relevant colleagues and stakeholders.

For more information: https://www.aics.gov.it/news/filiere-globali-innovazione-e-partenariati-a-macfrut-2026-limpegno-della-cooperazione-italiana-per-lagricoltura-sostenibile/

Università degli Studi di Firenze, DAGRI UNIFI, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Sede di Maputo, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo sede San Salvador, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - AICS Tunisi, Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - AICS Hanoi

24/04/2026

💧 International Course on Water Harvesting – 2025–2026 edition

📢 Applications are now open!

This year’s focus: “Water Harvesting in Sub-Saharan Africa” 🌍
Water harvesting is a powerful strategy to tackle climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity—especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

This professional online course combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support real-world applications.

💧 What will you learn?

✔️ Understand socio-ecological dynamics and water–food security in SSA
✔️ Assess the hydrological functioning of water harvesting systems
✔️ Plan and design interventions at micro and macro scales
✔️ Develop project management and implementation strategies

🌍 Featuring guest lecturers from African universities and international organisations

📌 Key information
💻 Fully online (live sessions + recordings available)
🗓️ 4 modules between late June and late September
⏳ Application deadline: 5 June 2026
💰 Fee: €150 (+ €16). Limited free places available for candidates from water-scarce countries and for UNIFI students and staff

👉 Info and Apply here:
https://www.dagri.unifi.it/vp-882-online-course-on-water-harvesting.html



DAGRI UNIFI

Online Course on Water Harvesting

17/04/2026

Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI Seminar
“Stakeholder engagement in scientific research”
by Prof. John Paul Odhiambo Obiero
University of Nairobi
Monday, 20th of March at 16:00
Room C, Scuola di Agraria - Università di Firenze, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Piazzale delle Cascine, 18 - 50144 Firenze (FI)

The seminar examines how tight proposal timelines often limit meaningful stakeholder engagement, leaving communities excluded from early project design. It showcases an initiative by the University of Nairobi and the University of Lagos to address this gap through early stakeholder consultations and preliminary reconnaissance for a proposed joint research project. The session highlights participatory techniques used to capture real community issues and perspectives, enabling refinement of project ideas to align with societal expectations and strengthen stakeholder ownership during implementation.

The seminar is organized by the PNRR/TNE Project - WAter enerGy fOod Nexus 2 Africa (WAGON2AFRICA) – CUP E17G24000420006, within the course in “Sustainable Water Resources Management”, MSc in Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture UNIFI, in the framework of the international agreement between the University of Florence and the University of Burundi.

For information: [email protected]

14/04/2026

Congratulations to our MSc candidates, Nu and Francesca!

14/04/2026

11/04/2026

Do not miss the opportunity to join the International Conference on Fog, Fog Collection, and Dew -

A triennial global event that brings together researchers, scientists, and practitioners to discuss fog, dew, and atmospheric water collection technologies.
https://fogdew26.tropmet.res.in/

Organized by The International Fog and Dew Association (IFDA, https://fogdew.org/), this conference serves as a platform to share research, solutions, and advancements in sustainable water resources.

Elena Bresci, Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI coordinator, will join the scientific board of the conference

The deadline for submission was extended to April 25th, 2026

08/04/2026

New publication co-authored by Giulio Castelli, Assistant Professor at the Water Harvesting Lab - UNIFI

Piras, F., Santoro, A., Castelli, G., Allegri, M., Nijimbere, S., Hicintuka, C., & Preti, F. (2026). Is Burundi losing the last remnants of its forests? A high-resolution spatial analysis for the identification of areas at deforestation hazard. Trees, Forests and People, 25, 101243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101243

Human activities are continuously shrinking Burundian forests, and, while small-scale and family farming contribute to this trend, particular attention should be paid to large plantations that spread in the last decades, causing environmental and social problems with limited benefits for the local communities.

Small forest patches need to be preserved for ecological and protective roles (connecting habitats, reducing erosion and landslides). Data calls for the urgent need to balance food production and forest conservation, promoting agricultural training, sustainable agricultural practices, and community-based forest management.

The work was realised after our commitment to The World Bank Group's Burundi Landscape Restoration and Resilience project, led by the UNESCO Chair Agricultural Heritage of the Università degli Studi di Firenze - DAGRI UNIFI

Relevant Burundian institutions, like the Centre de Recherche en Sciences des Productions Animales, Végétales et Environnementales (CRAVE), Faculté d’Agronomie et de Bio-Ingénierie (FABI), Université du Burundi; and the Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), participated in the study.

The results are available in CC license to be shared for informing landscape restoration and protection in the country.