Christopher Ndehedehe: Understanding Global Groundwater, Gebunden

Klappentext

This book explores the global state of groundwater, emphasizing the growing threats from unsustainable extraction and climate change. It highlights the central dilemma: groundwater is essential for socio-economic development, yet overuse leads to severe environmental and ecological consequences. With many aquifers rapidly declining, the book stresses the urgent need for advanced monitoring to better understand hydrological processes such as recharge and discharge and to inform stronger management policies.

A major focus is the role of modern satellite hydrology missions in improving groundwater assessment. By integrating radar, Global Navigation Satellite Systems, GRACE data, and climate variables like rainfall and evapotranspiration, these technologies offer deeper insights into groundwater dynamics and support sustainable decision-making. The discussion connects these tools to the broader issue of Earth system boundary transgressions, noting that about 2.6 billion people rely on groundwater where surface water is inadequate.

The book examines groundwater drought, presenting methods for monitoring this phenomenon and enhancing GRACE's spatial resolution through machine learning downscaling. Case studies illustrate how GRACE, combined with climate data, can clarify the links between climate variability and groundwater resources. Emerging techniques for assessing groundwater availability and drought impacts are also reviewed.

Another key contribution is the discussion on co-management of freshwater resources using satellite-based evaluations. By combining traditional knowledge with remote sensing, the book outlines pathways toward long-term groundwater sustainability. It underscores the need for an operational service to monitor groundwater drought and identify vulnerable regions.

By bridging traditional groundwater science with advanced satellite Earth observation, this book provides essential insights into groundwater behavior in an era of climate change and population growth. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the risks and actions needed to protect groundwater for future generations.