Groundwater, climate change vulnerability and nature-based solutions
Código
1689
Rama de conocimiento
Ciencias
Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas
Transversal
Tipo Enseñanza
Virtual
Créditos (ECTS)
10h (1 ECTS)
Precio
80
Precio a abonar por el alumno
80
Curso académico
2026-2027
Dirección/Coordinación
Ignacio Cazcarro Castellano, Ana Serrano González
Centro/Organiza
Ignacio Cazcarro (Dpto. Análisis Económico, I.U.I. MIXTO AGROALIMENTARIO DE ARAGÓN IA2, UNIZAR-CITA)
Descripción
The micro-credential "Groundwater, climate change vulnerability and nature-based solutions" offers an applied and interdisciplinary introduction to the current challenges of water management in the context of climate change, with a particular focus on the strategic role of groundwater and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The course combines biophysical and socioeconomic approaches to analyze water vulnerability, integrating concepts such as hydroeconomic management, water footprint, and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) strategies. Analytical tools and real case studies that allow us to understand the interactions between natural systems and human decisions will be presented. The training is structured in synchronous sessions (10h) given by experts from the University of Zaragoza and European universities, along with asynchronous materials (15h) that include audiovisual content, guided readings and practical activities based on active methodologies.
Language of instruction: English
Language of instruction: English
Objetivos
• Analyse the vulnerability of water systems from an interdisciplinary approach
• Introduce socio-economic and biophysical analysis tools applied to water
• Understand the role of groundwater in the context of climate change
• Assess the potential of nature-based solutions, especially MAR
• Encourage critical thinking in sustainable water management
• Introduce socio-economic and biophysical analysis tools applied to water
• Understand the role of groundwater in the context of climate change
• Assess the potential of nature-based solutions, especially MAR
• Encourage critical thinking in sustainable water management
Competencia y resultados de aprendizaje
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
• Analyze water management from economic and environmental perspectives
• Interpret indicators such as water footprint
• Understand the fundamentals of hydroeconomic modeling
• Identify hydrological processes and their relationship with climate change
• Evaluate solutions such as MAR and other NBS in different contexts
• Apply knowledge to practical cases and formulate basic recommendations
• Analyze water management from economic and environmental perspectives
• Interpret indicators such as water footprint
• Understand the fundamentals of hydroeconomic modeling
• Identify hydrological processes and their relationship with climate change
• Evaluate solutions such as MAR and other NBS in different contexts
• Apply knowledge to practical cases and formulate basic recommendations
Acceso y Admisión
There are no prerequisites. It may be advisable to be doing or have completed a degree in the branch of Sciences or Social Sciences, legal, etc.
Reconocimiento de créditos
Reconocimiento de créditos como actividad académica complementaria para estudiantes de grado (número de ECTS).
Credit recognition as a complementary academic activity for undergraduate students (number of ECTS). Recognition of ECTS credits is not requested
Evaluación
Tarea puntuable
Scoring tasks
• Continuous task-based assessment (online)
• Work-based (online)
More detailed description of the assessment system or methodology, if applicable.
• Participation in activities (20%)
• Practical exercises/questionnaires (30%)
• Final tasks (50%): brief analysis of a case of water vulnerability and proposal of solutions (including NBS or MAR)
Criteria:
• Conceptual understanding
• Ability to apply
• Coherence of analysis
• Use Suitable materials
Scoring tasks
• Continuous task-based assessment (online)
• Work-based (online)
More detailed description of the assessment system or methodology, if applicable.
• Participation in activities (20%)
• Practical exercises/questionnaires (30%)
• Final tasks (50%): brief analysis of a case of water vulnerability and proposal of solutions (including NBS or MAR)
Criteria:
• Conceptual understanding
• Ability to apply
• Coherence of analysis
• Use Suitable materials
Plan de estudios/Programa
Module 1. Water management and policy (2.5h)
• Water governance and integrated water resources management
• Institutional framework, current challenges and (environmental) water accounting
• Applied cases (Spain and Europe)
Module 2. Socioeconomic aspects and water footprint (5h)
• Water footprint and virtual water trade
• Input-output analysis and other models applied to water
• Economic implications of climate change
Module 3. Hydro-economic modelling (2.5h)
• Integration of biophysical and economic processes
• Hydroeconomic modelling
• Management and adaptation scenarios
Autonomous work (15h)
Module 4. Groundwater and Nature-Based Solutions (2.5h)
Asynchronous session: The role of groundwater in mitigating climate change impactsActivities based on the "lesson plan CLIMEX" (pre-test, video viewing and presentation, post-test, discussion, reflection)
• Aquifer functioning
• Vulnerability to climate change
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)
• NBS for water security
Directed readings and applied exercises
Pre-test and post-test (after visualizations of materials)
Development of final tasks
• Water governance and integrated water resources management
• Institutional framework, current challenges and (environmental) water accounting
• Applied cases (Spain and Europe)
Module 2. Socioeconomic aspects and water footprint (5h)
• Water footprint and virtual water trade
• Input-output analysis and other models applied to water
• Economic implications of climate change
Module 3. Hydro-economic modelling (2.5h)
• Integration of biophysical and economic processes
• Hydroeconomic modelling
• Management and adaptation scenarios
Autonomous work (15h)
Module 4. Groundwater and Nature-Based Solutions (2.5h)
Asynchronous session: The role of groundwater in mitigating climate change impactsActivities based on the "lesson plan CLIMEX" (pre-test, video viewing and presentation, post-test, discussion, reflection)
• Aquifer functioning
• Vulnerability to climate change
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)
• NBS for water security
Directed readings and applied exercises
Pre-test and post-test (after visualizations of materials)
Development of final tasks
Fechas, horarios y lugar de impartición
Online development. 21/09/2026 - 21/11/2026. Day 1: 21/09/2026 (2 hours); Day 2: 28/09/2026 (2 hours); Day 3: 19/10/2026 (2 hours); Day 4: 26/10/2026 (2 hours); Day 5: 2/11/2026 (2 hours); Schedule: 16:00 - 18:00
Colaboración con empresa o instituciones
Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE)
Certificación
Los estudiantes que completen con éxito el curso recibirán una certificación en forma de microcredencial admitida por Europass. Si el estudiante tiene una cuenta en Europass y nos proporciona su IDENTIFICADOR único (UID), alojaremos directamente su microcredencial en su Biblioteca de Europass.
Más información sobre Europass en https://microcredenciales.unizar.es/informacion/europass .