Groundwater-dependent ecosystem map exposes global dryland protection needs
High‑resolution mapping shows groundwater‑dependent ecosystems cover over a third of drylands, yet over half lie in regions with declining groundwater. Only 21% are protected, highlighting urgent conservation needs. The map also links GDEs to cultural and livelihood values, guiding policy and protection efforts.
Subject Tags
- Groundwater
- Ecosystem management
- Watersheds
Abstract
Groundwater is the most ubiquitous source of liquid freshwater globally, yet its role in supporting diverse ecosystems is rarely acknowledged1,2. However, the location and extent of groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are unknown in many geographies, and protection measures are lacking1,3. Here, we map GDEs at high-resolution (roughly 30 m) and find them present on more than one-third of global drylands analysed, including important global biodiversity hotspots4. GDEs are more extensive and contiguous in landscapes dominated by pastoralism with lower rates of groundwater depletion, suggesting that many GDEs are likely to have already been lost due to water and land use practices. Nevertheless, 53% of GDEs exist within regions showing declining groundwater trends, which highlights the urgent need to protect GDEs from the threat of groundwater depletion. However, we found that only 21% of GDEs exist on protected lands or in jurisdictions with sustainable groundwater management policies, invoking a call to action to protect these vital ecosystems. Furthermore, we examine the linkage of GDEs with cultural and socio-economic factors in the Greater Sahel region, where GDEs play an essential role in supporting biodiversity and rural livelihoods, to explore other means for protection of GDEs in politically unstable regions. Our GDE map provides critical information for prioritizing and developing policies and protection mechanisms across various local, regional or international scales to safeguard these important ecosystems and the societies dependent on them.
Citation
Rohde, M.M., Albano, C.M., Huggins, X., Klausmeyer, K.R., Morton, C., Sharman, A., Zaveri, E., Saito, L., Freed, Z., Howard, J.K. and Job, N., 2024. Groundwater-dependent ecosystem map exposes global dryland protection needs. Nature, 632(8023), pp.101-107. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07702-8
Authors
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Kirk Klausmeyer
Director of Data Science, California
The Nature Conservancy
Email: kklausmeyer@tnc.org -
Laurel Saito
Strategy Director Water, Nevada
The Nature Conservancy
Email: laurel.saito@tnc.org -
Zach Freed
Sustainable Water Program Director, Oregon
The Nature Conservancy
Email: zach.freed@tnc.org -
Melissa Rohde
The Nature Conservancy