ABSTRACT
Agriculture in North Africa is both the main use of the land in terms of area and the principal water-consuming sector, accounting for over 70 per cent of total water consumption (Iglesias, 2003; Iglesias et al, 2003). Rainfall is low and characterized by large year-to-year variation. Water is scarce and the countries of North Africa are considered to be water stressed, withdrawing large proportions of available surface waters for agricultural, domestic and other uses. Climate change is projected to bring warmer temperatures and changes in rainfall that, together, have the potential to reduce water availability. The impacts that climate change will have on agriculture and water supplies, and the potential for conflicts over water, are critical concerns in the region.
