A System Dynamics Approach to Modeling Groundwater Dynamics: Case Study of the Choshui River Basin

Yun-Hsun Huang, Yan-Jiang Lai and Jung-Hua Wu
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Yun-Hsun Huang: Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Yan-Jiang Lai: Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Jung-Hua Wu: Department of Resources Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Land subsidence resulting from the overexploitation of groundwater is an important issue in the Choshui River Basin, Taiwan. In the current study, we employed system dynamics simulation in modeling the supply of surface and groundwater, as well as the demand for water by industry, water deficits, and mechanisms underlying land subsidence. The proposed model was then used to estimate the magnitude of land subsidence and evaluate various management strategies. Our simulation results revealed that the vigorous enforcement of well sealing would have a modest effect on land subsidence; however, it would also have notable adverse effects on the agricultural community. We determined that reducing the demand for irrigation water (e.g., by switching to less water-intensive crops) would reduce land subsidence, while preserving profitability in those areas. In the future, this policy could be complemented by promoting the adoption of advanced irrigation technology and automatic systems to further slow the excessive exploitation of groundwater, with a corresponding effect on land subsidence.

Keywords: land subsidence; groundwater overexploitation; sustainability; system dynamics; management strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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