Surface Water Availability Research Articles

The water energy food nexus: A multi-objective optimization tool

Many methods and tools are used to model and optimize various aspects of the water energy food nexus (WEFN). This work presents a novel software tool for the multi-objective optimization of the WEFN (MOO-WEFN). The model underlying the tool captures all three nexus sectors and the interlinkages between them. In addition, the model imposes constraints that mimic forces affecting the nexus, such as economics, environment, health, and nutrition. The software tool couples Excel with Python, which facilitates the tool's accessibility and ease of use due to its widespread usage and availability. A case study application demonstrates the tool's execution and provides examples of how changes can be made to the data to simulate different nexus developments. Five scenarios are applied to reflect such changes with results demonstrating the overall impact on resource production and consumption. Removing one of the less water-intensive food items results in a 20 % increase in water consumption. Limiting the availability of surface water results in a reallocation of water resources such that 80 % of water needs are satisfied from surface water and groundwater and 20 % from wastewater, compared to the baseline of 100 % surface water. Moreover, upon introduction of the conventional activated sludge treatment technology for wastewater (compared to the incumbent membrane bioreactor technology), energy consumption decreased by 10 %. These results show changes beyond the immediate sector of change and reflect the necessity for integrated modeling that captures the impact of one change on the nexus as a whole, in terms of resource consumption and allocation. Thus, the tool supports the capability of testing how new resources, technologies, and limitations will impact nexus interactions. Furthermore, the tool facilitates carrying out sensitivity and Pareto analyses for data generation and result evaluation.

Groundwater Sustainability and Land Subsidence in California’s Central Valley

The Central Valley of California is one of the most prolific agricultural regions in the world. Agriculture is reliant on the conjunctive use of surface-water and groundwater. The lack of available surface-water and land-use changes have led to pumping-induced groundwater-level and storage declines, land subsidence, changes to streamflow and the environment, and the degradation of water quality. As a result, in part, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was developed. An examination of the components of SGMA and contextualizing regional model applications within the SGMA framework was undertaken to better understand and quantify many of the components of SGMA. Specifically, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) updated the Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM) to assess hydrologic system responses to climatic variation, surface-water availability, land-use changes, and groundwater pumping. MODFLOW-OWHM has been enhanced to simulate the timing of land subsidence and attribute its inelastic and elastic portions. In addition to extending CVHM through 2019, the new version, CVHM2, includes several enhancements as follows: managed aquifer recharge (MAR), pumping with multi-aquifer wells, inflows from ungauged watersheds, and more detailed water-balance subregions, streamflow network, diversions, tile drains, land use, aquifer properties, and groundwater level and land subsidence observations. Combined with historical approximations, CVHM2 estimates approximately 158 km3 of storage loss in the Central Valley from pre-development to 2019. About 15% of the total storage loss is permanent loss of storage from subsidence that has caused damage to infrastructure. Climate extremes will likely complicate the efforts of water managers to store more water in the ground. CVHM2 can provide data in the form of aggregated input datasets, simulate climatic variations and changes, land-use changes or water management scenarios, and resulting changes in groundwater levels, storage, and land subsidence to assist decision-makers in the conjunctive management of water supplies.

Investigating potential surface fresh water in karst Rembang using Topographic Wetness Index (TWI)

Rembang regency, Central Java Province, where annually facing drought is laid in the northern part of Java coastal area. Geographically, Rembang has various typical of landscape where affects to the water availability. There are three main problems in Rembang for water management issues, lack of quantity, quality, and continuity. To identify the water availability in order to measure the water quantity and continuity, initial research to detect the surface water in river network was carried out by applied topographic wetness index (TWI) from remote sensing, ground checked observation and focus group discussion (FGD) to find out the existing situation. The result showed, TWI was successful to detect the surface water availability in Rembang regency catchment area from its range number. Those numbers indicate the potential of surface water in focus area although the water quantity is unstable.

Geospatial technique for the delineation of groundwater potential zones using multi-criteria-based AHP and MIF methods

ABSTRACT In the recent past, the growing climate change and transformation of the green cover into urban areas have posed a threat to natural water supply, which will have a direct impact on water demand for emerging cities such as Nava Raipur. As a result, the increasing demand coupled with the reduced availability of surface water prompts scientific investigation into groundwater availability and its sustainable management as an alternative. The study attempted to determine groundwater potential zones using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-influencing factor (MIF) techniques. Twelve contextually significant regulating environmental factors were selected, and their significance and influences on decision-making approaches models have been attempted to determine through the sensitivity analysis. The final GWPZ map obtained, from a combination of thematic layers, was verified using the receiver operating curve (ROC) and the area under curve (AUC) with discharge (yield) records taken from 21 bore wells. According to the ROC curve's AUC estimation, MIF can explain 82.9% of the actual groundwater situation in the region, and for AHP, an AUC value of 0.751 is relatively low. This indicates that the MIF model is the most appropriate to accurately define potential groundwater zones for emerging cities like Nava Raipur.

Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover

The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of greater sandhill cranes uses a key stopover area, the San Luis Valley (SLV) in Colorado. Parameters of migration phenology can differ between autumn and spring and are affected by weather and environmental factors. We hypothesized that sandhill cranes in the SLV would have a longer stopover duration in autumn than in spring, and that wind assistance, crosswinds, temperature change, barometric air pressure, and surface water area would influence persistence probability. We used data from sandhill cranes fitted with transmitters that spanned autumn and spring, 2015-2022. We used an open robust design mark-recapture model to estimate stopover duration, arrival probability, and persistence probability. We examined the effects of weather and surface water on the persistence probability for 106 sandhill cranes in the SLV. Stopover duration was longer in autumn than in spring and had higher variability across years. Arrival probability to the SLV peaked on 13 October in autumn and 21 February in spring. Persistence probability declined around mid-December in autumn and mid-March in spring. We found that several weather covariates influenced persistence in both seasons. In autumn, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with higher tailwinds, lower crosswinds, and higher surface water availability. In spring, sandhill cranes departed the SLV with lower crosswinds and higher barometric air pressure at the surface and higher wind speeds at altitudes of about 3,000 m. The effect of wind speed was stronger later in the spring. Given the lower variability of arrival and persistence probability and shorter stopover duration in spring compared to autumn, we suspect that RMP sandhill cranes are using a time-minimization strategy during spring. However, given the use of supportive winds and weather conditions ideal for soaring, RMP sandhill cranes appear to be using strategies that save energy in both seasons. Our study identifies the optimal timing of water management and surveys for RMP sandhill cranes and confirms that weather influences their persistence. Understanding differences in migration patterns between seasons and the factors that influence persistence at stopover sites will also be important for anticipating phenological impacts from climate change and land use alterations.

Mapping groundwater potential zone using groundwater potentiality index in Sulamu, Central Fatuleu and West Fatuleu, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

Water scarcity often occurs during the dry season in Kupang Regency, which is a semi-arid area. The drought limits surface water availability during the dry season, thus making groundwater one of the reliable solutions for fulfilling the need for water from springs and wells. Therefore, mapping the potential of groundwater in the research area becomes the aim of this study, which has never been conducted before. The method used in this research is the Groundwater Potentiality Index, which uses five parameters to identify groundwater potential areas: fracture, lithology, topography, drainage, and rainfall. Field observation and secondary data collection were conducted to provide those parameters. The results are groundwater potential index classified into five groundwater potential zones, resulting in very low (17.07% and 20.39% of total area), low (51.16% and 48.94% of total area), moderate (26.9% and 27.05% of total area), high (4.09% and 3.1% of total area), and very high (0.77% and 0.53% of total area). Zones of very high are found along major fault areas. Areas with high groundwater potential zones indicated favorable conditions for wells positioning at groundwater exploration. These results can be a basis for action related to groundwater resource development in the research area.

Analysis of Surface Water Availability and Projection of Domestic Water Demand in The Logawa Sub-Watershed 2030

Water is a vital element that is used to meet human needs such as domestic and non-domestic activities (agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and industry). The more human activities carried out, the greater the amount of water needed. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the availability and demand for water to determine the conditions of shortage and excess water to meet future water needs. The method used in this research was the quantitative descriptive method with the study area unit covering all parts of the Logawa Sub-Watershed. The research sample was taken using the purposive sampling method with data collection techniques including secondary data in the form of literature studies and related institutions and primary data in the form of direct observations in the field. Data analysis was determined by the discharge duration curve formula to obtain a reliable discharge and calculate the water demand in each sector. The results of the study show that the availability of water in the Logawa Sub-Watershed can suffice the water needs of the domestic and non-domestic sectors (agriculture and livestock) in 2023 and domestic water needs in 2030.

Study of Spatial Variability of Groundwater Depth in Sirsa District of Western Agro Climatic Zone of Haryana

Groundwater plays a vital role in agriculture and industry in various sectors across India, especially in Haryana’s Sirsa district, where groundwater plays a vital role. Approximately 50% of the irrigated land is dependent on groundwater, while 60% of the food production is dependent on groundwater. The depletion of groundwater in Haryana is a major concern due to population growth and increasing water demand, which is further aggravated by water-intensive crops. Even though Haryana accounts for 1.4 % of the country's geographical area, food production in Haryana contributes significantly to the nation's GDP. The study concentrates on Haryana, where groundwater plays a key role, especially in the Sirsa district, where the availability of surface water is limited. From 1974 to 2022, there is a worrying trend of decreasing groundwater levels in the Sirsa district in four blocks, which is mainly attributed to unregulated groundwater extraction, especially for agriculture, which results in ecological damage. Sustainable water management strategies need to be implemented in order to mitigate groundwater depletion and ensure long-term agri-sustainability and water security in Haryana. These strategies include changing cropping patterns, awareness campaigns, conjunctive water use, rainwater harvesting, and minimizing conveyance and application losses. By taking these steps, we have a chance to reduce groundwater depletion and ensure long-term agri-sustainability and overall water.

Hydroclimatic Vulnerability of Wetlands to Upwind Land Use Changes

AbstractDespite their importance, wetland ecosystems protected by the Ramsar Convention are under pressure from climate change and human activities. These drivers are altering water availability in these wetlands, changing water levels or surface water extent, in some cases, beyond historical variability. Attribution of the effects of human and climate activities is usually focused on changes within the wetlands or their upstream surface and groundwater inputs. However, the reliance of wetland water availability on upwind atmospheric moisture supply is less understood. Here, we assess the vulnerability of 40 Ramsar wetlands to precipitation changes caused by land use and hydroclimatic change occurring in their upwind moisture‐supplying regions. We use moisture flows from a Lagrangian tracking model, atmospheric reanalysis data, and historical land use change (LUC) data to assess and quantify these changes. Our analyses show that historical LUC has decreased precipitation and terrestrial moisture recycling in most wetland hydrological basins, decreasing surface water availability (precipitation minus evaporation). The most substantial effects on wetland water availability occurred in the tropic subtropical regions of Central Europe and Asia. Overall, we found wetlands in Central Asia and South America to be the most vulnerable by a combination of LUC‐driven effects on runoff, high terrestrial precipitation recycling, and recent decreases in surface water availability. This study stresses the need to incorporate upwind effects of land use changes in the restoration, management, and conservation of the world's wetlands.

Spatiotemporal trends and evapotranspiration estimation using an improvised SEBAL convergence method for the semi-arid region of Western Rajasthan, India

Abstract The study demonstrates how to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) for the Western Rajasthan region of India utilizing remotely sensed images with the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL). Landsat 8 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite inputs were used to compute seasonal and annual ET on the Google Earth Engine platform. The assessment utilizing the SEBAL algorithm, in combination with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Penman–Monteith (PM) and Hargreaves methods, demonstrates that SEBAL has adequate reliability for estimating ET for a spatially large extent in semi-arid regions when evaluated with the Hargreaves method. The values of R2, root-mean-square error (RMSE), and mean bias error (MBE) for FAO-PM were 0.63, 1.65 mm/day, and 1.28 mm/day, respectively. For the Hargreaves method, the values of R2, RMSE, and MBE were 0.96, 0.41 mm/day, and −0.31 mm/day, respectively. The study showed that the northern region witnessed the highest ET due to the availability of abundant surface water for irrigation. Overall, the results demonstrate the SEBAL model's effectiveness in estimating evapotranspiration. A downward trend in ET is observed in the region, mainly due to changing climatic conditions.

Current State of Mugger Populations.

The mugger (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized crocodilian inhabiting South Asia. As a result of intensive hunting, its range declined drastically up till the 1970s. Currently, the world mugger population is fragmented and threatened mainly by habitat loss and the consequences of human-crocodile conflict, being classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The goal of this paper is to comprehensively determine the mugger's current range, and assess risks in notable habitats of the species across its range. To determine the range and notable habitats, extensive literature covering surveys, monitoring, population studies and reports of human-crocodile conflict was examined. Habitat suitability and risk assessment were performed by evaluating selected habitats using eight factors: the legal status of the area, elevation, surface water availability, water quality, salinity, availability of nesting and basking sites, interaction with humans and interspecific competition. Based on our findings, the chances of the mugger's survival varies greatly across its range and the threats they face are complex and often site-specific. Defining these threats is the first step for determining suitable risk mitigation efforts, some of which are explored in this review.

Evaluating sustainability of Bhuj aquifer system, Western India using nuclear dating techniques

Abstract Increasing population, food demands and climatic stressors pose an imminent threat to groundwater sustainability in regional aquifer systems globally. Limited availability of surface water and erratic/uncertain rainfall necessitates preservation of groundwater resources, which form reliable fresh water reserves in most of the arid regions. Bhuj Sandstone aquifer is one such fresh groundwater systems in Western India catering the domestic/irrigational needs for over 2 million population. Rapid groundwater depletion in this area warranted a mandatory conservation of groundwater resources for future sustainability. Nuclear techniques using 3H and 14C provide estimates of groundwater age that help in planning sustainable groundwater management. In this study, sustainability of deep groundwater was assessed using environmental radioactive isotopes (3H, 14C). Results indicate that 14C activity of the groundwater samples varies from 26 to 73.6 pMC (percent modern carbon). Considering the various biases and uncertainties present, multiple correction models were applied to obtain representative groundwater ages by incorporating stable (13C) isotope and hydrogeochemical data. The corrected and representative ages are found to range from 5.8 to 8.6 ka BP (thousand years before present). From the study it can be inferred that central Bhuj aquifer hosts paleo-groundwater while the western part is recently recharged. Therefore, over-exploitation of deep groundwater in central Bhuj aquifer may further lower the water levels and this would have long-term impact on the socio-economic development of Kutch region.

Construction of wetlands in La Piedad Lagoon: a strategy to mitigate climate change in Mexico

ABSTRACT The freshwater systems located within the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (Mexico City and the State of Mexico) are depleted. La Piedad Lagoon is recognized as a critical water resource as it serves as a run-off reservoir during the rainy season. However, the Lagoon is highly contaminated by untreated wastewater discharge due to disorderly and unplanned urban development. Inadequate sanitation has caused significant biodiversity loss and negatively impacted the population's health. Climate change models estimate that surface water availability could be reduced by over 30% in the short term, increasing the risk of a regional water crisis. This complex situation is urgent and demands the ecological restoration of La Piedad Lagoon as it provides an alternative source of water for Mexico City. Here, the intervention and efforts currently performed to rescue La Piedad Lagoon are described, involving its transformation and analysis of the environmental conditions of the area, land uses and ownership, as well as available infrastructure. Finally, it examines key environmental parameters for the construction of wetlands in the Lagoon. The removal contamination capacities of Eichhornia crassipes and Lemna minor, two aquatic plants in the area, were assessed. The lessons learned from this intervention can provide valuable lessons.

Morphometry, Water Availability and Sediment Transport in the River Renato Watershed, Southern Amazon

The reduction in surface water availability in the Brazilian Amazon biome is associated with anthropic activities and climate change, facts that have driven hydrological monitoring studies. Such studies seek to understand the hydrological responses to changes in land use and land cover, aiming at the proper management of water resources in Amazonian river basins. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the physiographic characteristics and establish liquid and solid rating curves of the Renato river sub-basin, a tributary of the Teles Pires river, under conditions of restricted data. Measurements of quota, liquid flow (QL) and solid flows in suspension (Qss) and drag (Qsa) took place monthly between February 2019 and November 2022, composing 28 and 16 (fluviometric station 1) and 21 and 16 (station fluviometric 2) measurements of QL, Qss and Qsa, respectively. Physiographic characteristics were determined using the QGIS 3.16.11 software. The Renato River sub-basin had a regular drainage density = 0.505 km km-2, an elongated shape and low probability of flooding (Kf = 0.19; Kc = 2.17 and Ic = 0.21) and the relief varied from flat to strongly undulating (0 to 30%). Regardless of the hydrological section, the statistical performance of the regression models for suspended and total solid flows (Qst) could have been better. It is concluded that the Renato River watershed is little susceptible to extreme flood events due to its elongated shape and regular drainage density. The evaluated regression models adjusted satisfactorily for QL and unsatisfactorily for Qss and Qst. Therefore, there is still a need to continue studies with hydrosedimentological monitoring to build rating curves that accurately estimate the liquid and solid flows.

Factors influencing space-use and kill distribution of sympatric lion prides in a semi-arid savanna landscape.

Understanding lions' (Panthera leo) space-use is important for the management of multi-species wildlife systems because lions can have profound impacts on ecosystem-wide ecological processes. Semi-arid savanna landscapes are typically heterogeneous with species space-use driven by the availability and distribution of resources. Previous studies have demonstrated that lions select areas close to water as encounter rates with prey are higher and hunting success is greater in these regions. Where multiple lion prides exist, landscape partitioning is expected to follow a despotic distribution in which competitively superior prides occupy high-quality areas while subordinates select poorer habitats. In this study, Global Positioning System collar data and logistic regression were used to investigate space-use and hunting success among 50% of lion prides at Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe. Our findings show that lion space-use was driven by surface water availability and that home range selection was socially hierarchical with the dominant pride occupying habitat in which water was most abundant. In addition, we found that the effect of shrub cover, clay content and soil depth on kill probability was area specific and not influenced by hierarchical dominance. Where multiple lion prides are studied, we recommend treating prides as individual units because pooling data may obscure site and pride specific response patterns.

Quantifying the availability of seasonal surface water and identifying the drivers of change within tropical forests in Cambodia.

Surface freshwater is a vital resource that is declining globally, predominantly due to climate and land use changes. Cambodia is no exception and the loss threatens many species, such as the giant ibis a Critically Endangered waterbird. We aimed to quantify the spatial and temporal (2000-2020) change of surface water availability across northern and eastern Cambodia and to assess the impact of this on the giant ibis. We used a Random Forest Classifier to determine the changes and we tested the impact of land use and geographical covariates using spatially explicit regression models. We found an overall reduction of surface water availability of 4.16%. This was predominantly driven by the presence of Economic Land Concessions and roads which increased the probability of extreme drying and flooding events. The presence of protected areas reduced these probabilities. We found changes in precipitation patterns over the wider landscape did not correlate with changes in surface water availability, supporting the overriding influence of land use change. 98% of giant ibis nests recorded during the time period were found within 25m of surface water during the dry season, highlighting their dependency on surface water. The overall surface water decline resulted in a 25% reduction in dry season suitable habitat for the giant ibis. Although absolute changes in surface water over the whole area were relatively small, the impact on the highest quality habitat for ibis is disproportionate and therefore threatens its populations. Defining the threats to such an endangered species is crucial for effective management.

Projected Changes in SWA over the Main BRI Regions for Net-Zero and Net-Negative Future

Surface water availability (SWA, calculated by precipitation [P] minus actual evaporation [E]) has great impacts on society. However, it remains unclear how SWA will change in a net-zero and net-negative future. In this study, we examine future changes in P, E, and SWA from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) for net-zero (2050–2060) and net-negative (2090–2100) CO 2 emissions periods under pathway SSP1-1.9 relative to historical baseline (1995–2014) in the main Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) regions. We also consider SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 for comparison. We find that P, E, and SWA changes exhibit obvious spatial heterogeneity, with increase or decrease over different areas for 2050–2060 and 2090–2100 relative to 1995–2014 under 3 scenarios. SWA changes are generally insignificant excluding some isolated areas under SSP1-1.9, yet have statistical significances over Central Africa and many areas in Eurasia for SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. Average monthly P and E are expected to markedly increase by 2.63 and 2.01 mm, 1.85 and 1.65 mm, for net-zero and net-negative periods under SSP1-1.9. Consequently, the projected monthly SWA will change by 0.78 and 0.36 mm. However, the projected P, E, and SWA have much larger changes in the same periods under the other 2 scenarios, especially 2090–2100. Our research provides previously unknown knowledge that SWA shows quite different changes in the net-zero and net-negative periods under SSP1-1.9 relative to the same periods under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, which may facilitate management of water resource risks to ecosystems and human society.

Stochastic metapopulation dynamics of a threatened amphibian to improve water delivery

AbstractWater extraction and climate change are altering the availability of surface water globally, thereby contributing to amphibian population declines. The managed delivery of water to benefit environmental values (environmental watering) is a promising conservation technique that can support amphibian recruitment and maintain viable populations. Environmental water can be delivered in various spatial patterns and with different frequencies, but comparing the effectiveness of competing strategies is complicated by variable and interactive environmental processes. We built a spatially explicit, stochastic, hydroecological metapopulation model to compare the effects of five environmental‐watering scenarios on the probability of persistence of threatened southern bell frogs (Litoria raniformis) in a major river reach in southern Australia. We compared a no‐intervention control to two managed watering frequencies (moderate and frequent) delivered in two spatial designs (managed wetlands grouped or spread across the reach). More frequent water provision to intervention sites improved the reach‐wide (metapopulation) probability of persistence, and spreading intervention sites across the reach improved persistence more than grouping intervention sites together. When re‐examined under severe drought conditions, L. raniformis had a 0.04 probability of persistence without intervention, which improved to 0.56 with high watering frequency. Model‐guided environmental water provision can improve reach‐wide persistence of amphibian metapopulations by guiding spatial and temporal delivery patterns to reduce the risk of extinction.

Assessment of surface water availability in Arjuna river basin using ArcSWAT

Assessment of surface water availability in Arjuna river basin using ArcSWAT

Sustainability of Duero Water Systems for Crop Production in Spain

In recent decades, increased water demand combined with the effects of climate change has endangered water availability in many regions. In this context, sustainable water management has become a priority, seeking to balance human needs with the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. In the Duero basin (Spain), the availability of water is especially relevant for agricultural purposes, representing 93% of the total water needs. This study focuses on identifying and assessing the short-term sustainability of irrigated crop production in the Duero River basin. The maximum potential availability of surface water for irrigation was estimated and compared with the short-term agricultural surface water demand. The analysis was based on the use of a high-spatial-resolution (500 × 500 m) GIS-based model named WAAPA, and three indexes were used to evaluate and analyze the results. The results show that by analyzing the river basin in an aggregate form, the demands for irrigation were met, in which the reservoirs played an important role. When the analysis was downscaled to tributaries or even small streams, non-sustainable situations were identified. This shows the importance of using high-spatial-resolution models to improve, maintain, and achieve sustainability in the production of irrigated crops.