Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1038/s43247-024-01554-w
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Multi-decadal groundwater observations reveal surprisingly stable levels in southwestern Europe
Author Chávez García Silva, R.; Reinecke, R.; Copty, N.K.; Barry, D.A.; Heggy, E.; Labat, D.; Roggero, P.P.; Borchardt, D.; Rode, M. ORCID logo ; Gómez-Hernández, J.J.; Jomaa, S.
Source Titel Communications Earth & Environment
Year 2024
Department ASAM
Volume 5
Page From art. 387
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
T4 Coastal System
Data and Software links https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26069383.v1
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1038%2Fs43247-024-01554-w/MediaObjects/43247_2024_1554_MOESM2_ESM.pdf
Keywords Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Water resources
Abstract Climate change and human activity are leading to water scarcity in southwestern Europe. Groundwater use is thought to be unsustainable in the region, yet regional assessments using measured data are missing. Here, we evaluate long-term trends and drivers of groundwater levels and found a more complex situation. Historical data (1960–2020) from 12,398 wells in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy showed 20% with rising groundwater levels, 68% were stable, and only 12% were declining. Rising wells in temperate climates were due to increased precipitation. Recovering wells in semi-arid regions were attributed to improved groundwater management. Stable wells are concentrated in temperate climates with year-round high precipitation. Declining wells in semi-arid regions are primarily located near agricultural areas and experience prolonged summer soil moisture loss, whereas in temperate regions, the decline is associated with large urban areas. Systematic groundwater monitoring and data sharing are essential for sustainable and science-based water resources management.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29379
Chávez García Silva, R., Reinecke, R., Copty, N.K., Barry, D.A., Heggy, E., Labat, D., Roggero, P.P., Borchardt, D., Rode, M., Gómez-Hernández, J.J., Jomaa, S. (2024):
Multi-decadal groundwater observations reveal surprisingly stable levels in southwestern Europe
Commun. Earth Environ. 5 , art. 387 10.1038/s43247-024-01554-w