Groundwater-dependent ecosystem map exposes global dryland protection needs

Melissa M. Rohde (), Christine M. Albano, Xander Huggins, Kirk R. Klausmeyer, Charles Morton, Ali Sharman, Esha Zaveri, Laurel Saito, Zach Freed, Jeanette K. Howard, Nancy Job, Holly Richter, Kristina Toderich, Aude-Sophie Rodella, Tom Gleeson, Justin Huntington, Hrishikesh A. Chandanpurkar, Adam J. Purdy, James S. Famiglietti, Michael Bliss Singer (), Dar A. Roberts, Kelly Caylor and John C. Stella
Additional contact information
Melissa M. Rohde: The Nature Conservancy
Christine M. Albano: Desert Research Institute
Xander Huggins: University of Victoria
Kirk R. Klausmeyer: The Nature Conservancy
Charles Morton: Desert Research Institute
Ali Sharman: The World Bank
Esha Zaveri: The World Bank
Laurel Saito: The Nature Conservancy
Zach Freed: The Nature Conservancy
Jeanette K. Howard: The Nature Conservancy
Nancy Job: South African National Biodiversity Institute
Holly Richter: The Nature Conservancy
Kristina Toderich: Tottori University
Aude-Sophie Rodella: The World Bank
Tom Gleeson: University of Victoria
Justin Huntington: Desert Research Institute
Hrishikesh A. Chandanpurkar: FLAME University
Adam J. Purdy: Monterey Bay
James S. Famiglietti: University of Saskatchewan
Michael Bliss Singer: Cardiff University
Dar A. Roberts: University of California
Kelly Caylor: University of California
John C. Stella: College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Nature, 2024, vol. 632, issue 8023, 101-107

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07702-8

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