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Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) estimation is crucial for sustainable water management in the diverse and water-scarce Mediterranean region. This study compares three prominent models (Simulator of Terrestrial Ecohydrological Processes and Systems (STEPS), Soil-Canopy-Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes (SCOPE), and Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB)) with established global datasets (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 8-day global terrestrial product (MOD16A2), Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM), and TerraClimate) at multiple spatial and temporal scales and validates model outcomes with eddy covariance based ground measurements. Insufficient ground-based observations limit comprehensive model validation in the eastern Mediterranean part (Turkey and Balkans). The results reveal significant discrepancies among models and datasets, highlighting the challenges of capturing ET variability in this complex region. Differences are attributed to variations in ecosystem type, energy balance calculations, and water availability constraints. Ground validation shows that STEPS performs well in some French and Italian forests and crops sites but struggles with seasonal ET patterns in some locations. SCOPE mostly overestimates ET due to detailed radiation flux calculations and lacks accurate water limitation representation. TSEB faces challenges in capturing ET variations across different ecosystems at a coarser 10 km resolution. No single model and global dataset accurately represent ET across the entire region. Model performance varies by region and ecosystem. As GLEAM and TSEB excel in semi-arid Savannahs, STEPS and SCOPE are better in grasslands, croplands, and forests in few locations (5 out of 18 sites) which indicates these models need calibration for other locations and ecosystem types. Thus, a region-specific model calibration and validation, sensitive to extremely humid and arid conditions can improve ET estimation across the diverse Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To scientifically evaluate the sustainability of tree planting and afforestation in the Alxa Desert region, this study, grounded in the principles of water balance within the natural water cycle, employed multi-source remote sensing products and ground-based measurements to construct a quantitative response relationship model. This model links evapotranspiration (ET) with meteorological variables and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). Furthermore, the study estimated the recovery thresholds and potential of forest and grassland vegetation coverage in the Alxa Desert region under various precipitation scenarios. The findings reveal that ET exhibited an increasing trend in 84.17% of the Alxa Desert region, with a significant increase observed in 61.53% of the area, indicating positive outcomes from the implementation of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. Notably, however, ET in the southeastern plain region demonstrated a decreasing trend, which is strongly associated with human activities. The response relationship model demonstrated that linear relationship areas constituted 47.52%, while nonlinear relationship areas accounted for 45.51% of the total. The overall model exhibited an R2 value of 0.69, indicating a high level of predictive accuracy. Analysis of forest and grassland coverage revealed that, under wet year scenarios, the vegetation coverage showed a significant trend of recovery, with an average recovery threshold of (75.4 ± 12.5)% and an average recovery potential of (8.5 ± 3.6)%. It is noteworthy that the vegetation coverage in 31.25% of the area had already surpassed the recovery threshold. The outcomes of this study provide a theoretical foundation for the formulation of more scientifically rigorous ecological restoration strategies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring irrigation is crucial for sustainable water management in freshwater-limited regions. Even though soil moisture (SM)-based inversion algorithms have been widely used to estimate irrigation, scarcity of irrigation records has prevented a thorough understanding of their uncertainties, especially in humid regions. This study assesses the suitability of the SM2RAIN algorithm for estimating irrigation at field scale using high-temporal-resolution data from four corn growing experiments conducted in north-central Florida. Daily irrigation estimates were compared with observations, revealing root mean squared differences of 1.26 to 3.84 mm/day and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiencies of 0.33 to 0.89. The estimates were more sensitive to uncertainties in static inputs of porosity, saturation moisture and soil thickness than they were to noise in time series inputs. Defining the saturation moisture as porosity made the algorithm insensitive to both parameters, while increasing soil thickness from 40 to 200 mm improved detection accuracies by 34–46%. In addition, the impact of SM on the estimations was investigated based on satellite overpass times. The analysis showed that morning passes produced more accurate estimates for the study site, while evening passes doubled the uncertainty. This study enhances the understanding of the SM2RAIN algorithm for irrigation estimation in subtropical humid conditions, guiding future high-resolution applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to simulate the future water balance of the Silwani watershed, Jharkhand, India, under the combined effect of land use and climate change based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov Chain model. The future climate prediction was done based on daily bias-corrected datasets of the INMCM5 climate model with Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 585 (SSP585), which represent the fossil fuel development of the world. After a successful model run, water balance components like surface runoff, groundwater contribution to stream flow, and ET were simulated. The anticipated change in land use/land cover (LULC) between 2020 and 2030 reflects a slight increase (3.9 mm) in groundwater contribution to stream flow while slight decrease in surface runoff (4.8 mm). The result of this research work helps the planners to plan any similar watershed for future conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NM as a photocatalyst for MPW treatment to help zero wastewater discharge. • 74.25% TOC removal of MPW was obtained by NM photocatalysis. • •O 2 − was the main active species for MPW degradation. • Treated wastewater was reused in flotation system without affecting product index. Mineral processing wastewater (MPW) with large discharge and high toxicity affects environmental safety, and the realizing zero discharge of MPW is of great significance for reducing environmental pollution, saving water resources, and promoting the sustainable development of the mining industry. In this study, we reported natural marmatite (NM) as a low-cost and efficient photocatalyst for the treatment of MPW to help zero wastewater discharge. The photocatalytic activity of NM was evaluated by the removal of total organic carbon (TOC) from MPW under visible-light illumination, and the optimal degradation conditions were discussed. Results showed that superoxide free radicals (·O 2 −) were the dominant active species responsible for organic pollutants degradation, and 74.25% TOC removal was obtained after 120 min reaction under the optimum treatment conditions. Meanwhile, the wastewater treated by NM photocatalysis can be reused in the flotation system without adverse impact on the product index. Based on these findings, a model of zero wastewater discharge for flotation with the help of photocatalytic treatment was established, it indicated that the water of the whole system can be balanced without affecting the ore dressing index, which showed that visible light-driven photocatalyst has a promising application prospect in the treatment and recycling of industrial wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Czech Republic has diverse soil conditions, which cause notable differences in crop water balance (WB). To assess the long-term crop WB and crop water stress (CWS) intensity in rainfed conditions, four conventional eight- and ten-year crop rotations (CRs) with perennial forage (alfalfa), cereals, oilseeds, root crops and legumes were proposed for a heterogeneous lowland soil region (six texture classes) in eastern Bohemia. Two of the CRs were selected irrespective of the WB (eight-year, C-8; ten-year, C-10), and the other two were designated according to soil water resources and crop water requirements (CWRs) as water-saving (W-S) and water-demanding (W-D) for this region. All CRs had a negative WB on average (i.e., CWRs exceeded the available water resources), with varying degrees of CWS (categories 1 (low) to 4 (high)). The W-S CR reduced the WB deficit relative to the other CRs by omitting maize, sunflower and sugar beet and including sorghum, and expanded the proportion of the area not affected by CWS (categories 1–2) to 33% for predominantly loamy soils. In contrast, categories 1–2 in the C-8, C-10 and W-D CRs represented only 15%, 14% and 7% of the area, respectively. Other areas were significantly affected by CWS (categories 3–4) and showed a high risk of yield reduction. These results may help in implementing sustainable farming systems that consider environmental perspectives related to agricultural water use in Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrological response (HR), generally defined as the relationship between rainfall and runoff, should be understood holistically within the processes of the conversion of rainfall to evapotranspiration, surface and subsurface runoff, groundwater flow, and streamflow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the HR of three predominant land use and land cover (LULC) types in the Colombian Andes at the micro-watershed scale. Experimental micro-watersheds were established to replicate LU (pasture, and a coffee agroforestry system) and LC (natural forest). The TETIS model was applied, calibrated, and verified, and the similarity between observed flows (using level sensors and volumetric gauges) and flows simulated by the model was evaluated, relating the HR to each type of LULC. The HR included an analysis of the Water Retention and Regulation Index—IRH and Base Flow Index—IFB. The best model fit and HR were found for the agroforestry system, with a moderate NSE (0.48), R2 (0.7), RMSE (0.2), and BE (20.8%). On the other hand, a forest cover was found to guarantee the permanence of subsurface inputs and base flows to the river, as evidenced by high IRH, IFB, and water balance values. Natural forest land uses present high volumetric moisture content in the soil, corresponding to a high IFB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to analyze the impact of land use change in East Sinjai Sub-district on the Kalamisu River Watershed and evelop water management strategies to balance availability with population needs. Utilizing GIS methods with ArcGIS 10.8 and Landsat satellite imagery, land use change in East Sinjai District was examined. Additionally, water infiltration capacity analysis considered factors such as rock type, rainfall, soil type, slope, and land use. Reference materials include the Technical Guidebook for Groundwater Management (DESDM Geological Agency, 2007) and the Regulation of the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia No. P.32/MENHUTII/2009 on Procedures for the Preparation of RTkRHL-DAS. The study's outcomes will feed into a SWOT analysis to craft a management strategy for the area over the next decade. This research aims to contribute positively to the Sinjai Regency government and enhance scientific discourse on water governance and spatial management. Qualitative analysis was employed to elucidate the area's physical condition and analyze quantitative data and information pertinent to resource management processes and water management strategies. Primary data from satellite image interpretation and interviews supplemented by secondary data were utilized for problem identification and data analysis. The analysis indicates a substantial increase in land use in East Sinjai Sub-district from 2012 to 2017, notably in residential areas, with a rise of 136.6 hectares due to a population surge of 58,986 people. Water infiltration in the Kalamisu River watershed is critically low. Water availability in East Sinjai District has notably decreased by -4,658,505 cubic meters per year from 2012 to 2022. To enhance groundwater absorption capacity and availability, promoting the use of high water-absorbent plantation land is essential. Additionally, developing mangrove areas is crucial for improving water infiltration, particularly in quality and quantity, especially during dry seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Global forest plantations are expanding, causing land-use changes and impacting the water cycle. This study assesses whether eucalyptus plantations reduce groundwater levels compared to grasslands in paired subtropical watersheds. The hydrological dynamics of surface and subsurface water were compared in three small watersheds in southern Brazil, mainly occupied by Eucalyptus saligna (Es-W, 79.9 ha), Eucalyptus benthamii (Eb-W, 82.1 ha), and degraded anthropized natural grassland (G-W, 109.4 ha). Rainfall, flow, and piezometric levels were monitored. Runoff, evapotranspiration, and water balance in the soil profile were estimated, and the subsurface environment was characterized using electrical resistivity tomography. During higher accumulated rainfall, water surplus increased for all watersheds. In the wet period (accumulated rainfall of 1098.0 mm), evapotranspiration was higher for eucalyptus (624.3 mm for Eb-W and 512.5 mm for Es-W) than for the grassland watershed (299.5 mm), resulting in the highest runoff in G-W (649.6 mm). During the dry period (accumulated rainfall of 478.5 mm), water deficit and withdrawal were mainly observed in forested watersheds, decreasing groundwater. Combining water balance and electrical resistivity tomography estimations results in a better understanding of the hydrological dynamics in paired watersheds with different land uses. This information is useful for developing best-practice management strategies for sustainable water resource use and forest production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across diverse biomes and climate types, plants use water stored in bedrock to sustain plant transpiration. Bedrock water storage (Sbedrock), in addition to soil moisture, thus plays an important role in water cycling and should be accounted for in the context of surface energy balances and streamflow generation. Yet, the extent to which bedrock water storage impacts hydrologic partitioning and influences latent heat fluxes has yet to be quantified at large scales. This is particularly important in Mediterranean climates, where the majority of precipitation is offset from energy delivery and plants must rely on water retained from the wet season to support summer growth. Here we present a simple and modified water balance approach to quantify the role of Sbedrock on controlling hydrologic and energy partitioning. Specifically, we tracked evapotranspiration in excess of precipitation and mapped soil water storage capacity (Ssoil, mm) across the western US in the context of Budyko's water partitioning framework. Our findings indicate that Sbedrock is necessary to sustain plant transpiration across forests in the Sierra Nevada—some of the most productive forests on Earth—as early as April every year, which is counter to the current conventional thought that bedrock is exclusively used late in the dry season under extremely dry conditions. We found that the proportion of water that returns to the atmosphere would decrease dramatically without access to Sbedrock. When converted to latent heat energy, the median monthly flux associated with evapotranspiration of Sbedrock can exceed 100 W/m2 during the dry season. Plain Language Summary: Plants frequently use water stored in bedrock (Sbedrock) in order to grow. However, the proportion of precipitation that returns to the atmosphere (evapotranspiration) versus to streams (runoff), and the amount of latent heat—the energy associated with evaporating water—used as a result of access to Sbedrock has not been measured. In Mediterranean climates, such as parts of the western US, the majority of energy (sunlight) is received during the dry season and plants must rely on water stored belowground during the wet season to sustain summer growth. In this study, we present two methods for calculating how much Sbedrock influences the amount of water returning to the atmosphere versus streams and what that corresponds to in terms of latent heat energy at the surface. We use gridded data to compare the amount of water entering (precipitation) and exiting (evapotranspiration) the area and use a mapped soil water storage capacity product to draw conclusions about the timing and magnitude of plant transpiration that is a result of access to bedrock water. Our findings indicate that some of the Earth's most productive forests use Sbedrock early in the growing season, consuming over 100 W/m2 of latent heat energy in the summer. Key Points: Plant use of bedrock storage impacts water partitioning in seasonally dry climatesIn many parts of the western United States, root‐zone storage deficits do not reset annuallyPlants may exhaust soil water storage and require bedrock water as early as April each year [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a widespread invasive alien forb in dry sandy habitats of Central Europe. It adversely affects native plant and animal communities, but its ecosystem-level effects, particularly on hydrology, are little known. Since milkweed has an extensive, deep root system and large, broad leaves, we assumed a negative effect on the soil moisture content of the hosting ecosystem. Following the before-after control-impact protocol, we first compared the soil moisture content of the top 120 cm of the soil under seven milkweed stands to that of non-invaded reference sites. We then treated half of the stands by mechanically removing all aboveground milkweed biomass and repeated the comparative soil moisture measurements. We found that milkweed stands had significantly drier soils than reference grasslands during the growing season, but the soil under milkweed stands recharged to the level of the references in autumn and winter. However, the amount of moisture needed for this recharge was lost from deeper percolation to groundwater. Milkweed treatment prevented the depletion of moisture during the growing season, saving 21.6 l m−2 of water on average. Treatment did not affect non-milkweed plant biomass, thus, moisture patterns could fully be attributed to the milkweed stands. Our results reinforce the importance of milkweed suppression in invaded grasslands, as, besides enabling the recovery of the native grassland ecosystem, it promotes groundwater recharge, which is particularly important in the dry regions of Central Europe, currently facing severe aridification due to climate change and unfavourable land use trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifying root systems by crop breeding has been attracting increasing attention as a potentially effective strategy to enhance the sustainability of agriculture by increasing soil organic matter (SOM) stocks and soil quality, whilst maintaining or even improving yields. We used the new soil‐crop model USSF (Uppsala model of Soil Structure and Function) to investigate the potential of this management strategy using winter wheat as a model crop. USSF combines a simple (generic) crop growth model with physics‐based descriptions of soil water flow, water uptake and transpiration by plants. It also includes a model of the interactions between soil structure dynamics and organic matter turnover that considers the effects of physical protection and microbial priming on the decomposition of SOM. The model was first calibrated against field data on soil water contents and both above‐ground and root biomass of winter wheat measured during one growing season in a clay soil in Uppsala, Sweden using the GLUE method to identify five 'acceptable' parameter sets. We created four model crops (ideotypes) by modifying root‐related parameters to mimic winter wheat phenotypes with improved root traits. Long‐term (30‐year) simulations of a conventionally tilled monoculture of winter wheat were then performed to evaluate the potential effects of cultivating these ideotypes on the soil water balance, soil organic matter stocks and grain yields. Our results showed that ideotypes with deeper root systems or root systems that are more effective for water uptake increased grain yields by 3% and SOM stocks in the soil profile by ca. 0.4%–0.5% in a 30‐year perspective (as an average of the five parameter sets). An ideotype in which below‐ground allocation of dry matter was increased at the expense of stem growth gave even larger increases in SOM stocks (ca. 1.4%). An ideotype combining all three modifications (deeper and more effective root systems and greater root production) showed even more promising results: compared with the baseline scenario, surface runoff decreased while yields were predicted to increase by ca. 7% and SOM stocks in the soil profile by ca. 2%, which is roughly equivalent to ca. 20% of the 4‐per‐mille target (https://4p1000.org/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study established a planning framework for effective small‐scale urban wetland restoration by adapting an analytical template used for watershed‐scale projects. We evaluated the optimal water ponding scale and location for small urban wetland restoration. We calculated the achievable water ponding area in Oyama Wetland, Hokkaido, Japan, by the use of an artificial water supply and elevation differences without reliance on precipitation. The volume of infiltration into the sediments, a component of the water balance equation, was estimated during a temporary suspension of the artificial water supply, and the estimate was then validated by modeling the decrease of the water ponding area from 2008, before the introduction of the artificial water supply, with high reproducibility (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency = 0.68). The estimated attainable water ponding area was 1172 m2. We identified where a water ponding location could be most efficiently established through principal component and cluster analyses of groundwater level observation data collected from 2008 to 2010. Areas with high groundwater levels (first axis) and stable groundwater levels (second axis) accounted for approximately 73% of the cumulative contribution ratio. The calculated potentially achievable ponding area was consistent with the area achieved by the actual wetland restoration. This study shows how efficient and safe restoration of urban wetlands can be achieved with a dataset that volunteers and others can obtain independently. Long‐term data analysis using the adapted template allows for clear identification of discrepancies between desired reference conditions and current conditions, facilitating the setting of objectives that promote long‐term monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the warming of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the trend of increase in the number and size of plateau lakes is on the rise, with a noticeable expansion of lakes over the Kumkuli Basin in the eastern Kunlun Mountains. Ayakkum Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Kumkuli Basin, and the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition data indicates that the lake has expanded to become the largest lake in Xinjiang. Based on the expedition data and remote sensing imagery, this study analyzes and subsequently discusses the change in the water volume of Ayakkum Lake and replenishment of its water sources, including glacier, permafrost, temperature, and precipitation. The results show that: (1) The area of Ayakkum Lake expanded from 623.03 km² in 1990 to 1141.67 km² in 2023, and the lake level rose by 7.28 m from 2002 to 2023, corresponding to an increase in water storage of 66.64x108 m³. (2) The glacier area in the Ayakkum Lake Basin decreased by 16.4 km² from 1990 to 2023, with a volume reduction of 1.96 km³. Until 2023, there were 451 glaciers with a total area of 324.26 km² in the region. (3) A distribution map of permafrost over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in 2010 shows that the continuous permafrost area was 12395 km² and seasonal permafrost area was 10652 km². (4) A water balance analysis of the area indicates that glacier and permafrost meltwater account for 9% and 5% of the total inflow into Ayakkum Lake, respectively, whereas runoff from land surface precipitation in seasonal frost and permafrost regions accounts for 67% of the total inflow into Ayakkum Lake. Additionally, replenishment to the lake water surface via direct precipitation accounts for 19% of the total inflow into Ayakkum Lake. In other words, the expansion of the lake mainly resulted from an increase in precipitation over the Ayakkum Lake Basin. This study reveals the land surface hydrological processes in the Kumkuli Basin and provides reference for local governments to optimize water resource allocation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Southern Central Highlands of Vietnam, droughts occur more frequently, causing significant damage and impacting the region's socio-economic development. During the dry season, rivers, streams, and reservoirs often face limited water availability, exacerbated in recent years by increasing drought severity. Recognizing the escalating severity of droughts, the study offers a novel contribution by conducting a comprehensive analysis of surface water resource distribution in Lam Dong province, focusing on assessing water demand for agricultural production, a crucial factor in ensuring sustainable crop growth. Two scenarios, Current-2020 (SC1) and Climate Change-2025 (SC2), are simulated, with SC2 based on climate change and sea level rise scenarios provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE). These scenarios are integrated into the MIKE-NAM and MIKE-HYDRO basin models, allowing for a thorough assessment of the water balance of Lam Dong province. Furthermore, the study utilizes the Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI) to measure drought severity, revealing prevalent dry and moderately droughty conditions in highland districts with rainfall frequency ranging from 50 to 85%. Severe drought conditions occur with a rainfall frequency of 95%, indicating an increased frequency and geographic scope of severe droughts. Additionally, the study highlights that under abnormally dry conditions, water demand for the winter-spring crop is consistently met at 100%, decreasing to 85%, 80%, and less than 75% for moderate, severe, and extreme droughts, respectively. These findings offer insights into future drought conditions in the Lam Dong province and their potential impact on irrigation capacity, crucial for adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Hazards & Environment (JNHE) / Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergisi (DACD) is the property of Artvin Coruh University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The effective cathode flow field design can realize the internal water balance and higher current density output of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Therefore, a segmented water management flow field is proposed in this study, i.e. a half separated-half coupled cathode (HSHC) flow field which has two inlets but just one outlet. A 3D numerical PEMFC model is applied to study the effect of the HSHC flow field on PEMFC performance and its operating strategy in terms of operating conditions. The study results are shown as follows: Compared with the two conventional cathode flow fields, the HSHC flow field improves the water balance along the channel and increases the current density by 17.1% at a cathode stoichiometry of 3.25. It is because the HSHC flow field can overcome the water loss at channels upstream and the water accumulation at channels downstream. The draw water phenomenon (DWP) in the HSHC flow field is observed, which is mainly affected by the water vapor pressure of channel. Based on the DWP, cooling channel inlet flow rates can be used to adjust water balance, but severe water loss should be avoided. In addition, the inlet temperature control in HSHC flow field should be that cell temperature>cathode channel inlet temperature>cooling channel inlet temperature> ambient temperatures for better water balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrologic flows across the river–aquifer interface play an important role in groundwater dynamics and biogeochemical reactions within the subsurface; however, little is known about the effects of river–aquifer interactions on land surface processes. In this study, we developed a fully coupled three‐dimensional (3D) land surface and subsurface model at a high resolution (~1 km) that accounts for high‐frequency hydrologic exchange flow conditions to investigate how river–aquifer interactions modulate surface water budgets in the Upper Columbia‐Priest Rapids watershed, a typical semiarid watershed located in the northwestern United States where river stage fluctuates in response to reservoir releases changing. Our results show that the spatiotemporal dynamics of river–aquifer interactions are highly heterogeneous, driven mainly by river‐stage fluctuations. Adding 6.64 × 106 m3 year−1 of water over the watershed from the river to groundwater owing to the lateral flow, river–aquifer interactions led to an increase in soil evaporation and transpiration supplied by higher soil moisture content, particularly in deeper subsurface. In a hypothetic future scenarios where a 5‐m rise in river stage was assumed, the hydrologic flow exchange rates were intensified, resulting in higher surface water over the entire watershed. Overall, lateral flow induced by river–aquifer exchanges leads to an increase in evapotranspiration of ~75% in the historical period and of ~83% in the hypothetical future scenario. Our study demonstrates the potential of coupled model as an effective tool for understanding river–aquifer–land surface interactions, and indicates that river–aquifer interactions fundamentally alter the water balance of the riparian zone for the semiarid watershed and will likely become more frequent and intense in the future under the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ensuring adequate hydration is critical for breastfeeding women, yet their water consumption patterns and hydration status is poorly understood. This study investigates the water consumption patterns and estimated water balance among women, practicing exclusive, mixed, and no breastfeeding methods. Methods: 529 healthy women completed the Nursing Water Balanced Questionnaire (N-WBQ). Participants were distributed across breastfeeding groups as follows: exclusive (39.7%), mixed (31.9%), and no breastfeeding (28.4%). Results: Significant differences were noted in water consumption patterns among breastfeeding groups regarding intake from beverages (p < 0.001), juices (p = 0.019), coffee (p < 0.001), and milk (p = 0.015). Water intake from liquids, except for drinking water (p < 0.001), juices (p = 0.024) and coffee (p < 0.001) differed significantly among groups in women with adequate total water intake based on recommendation, with exclusive breastfeeding mothers prioritizing plain water over other beverages. Total water loss (p < 0.001) and estimated water balance (p < 0.001) significantly varied among breastfeeding groups, with exclusive breastfeeding mothers to exhibit the lowest water balance (−475.36 mL/day), indicating potential dehydration risk. Apart from plain water, water from foods, coffee and milk significantly contributed to positive water balance. Conclusions: Our findings highlight a risk of dehydration in this population, while water consumption patterns are influenced by breastfeeding method, likely affected by varying lactational demands and lifestyle factors. Further research to develop more accurate and individualized methods for assessing water balance in breastfeeding women is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inter‐catchment groundwater flow (IGF) plays an essential role in streamflow generation and water quality in forested headwaters. Multiple factors are thought to contribute to IGF, including climate, topographical, and geological factors. However, studies have not clarified the relationships between IGF and catchment properties in the headwater catchments due to the lack of observational data at scales smaller than 100 ha. This study examined possible factors influencing IGF using random forest analysis based on annual water balance data from 152 forested catchments ranging from 0.09 to 9400 ha in Japan. The results showed that catchment scale had the greatest influence on IGF, and IGF tended to decrease with increasing catchment area at scales of less than 10 ha. The average IGF stabilized around zero in catchments greater than 10 ha. The averaged IGF trend with catchment scale indicated more outward groundwater flow in catchments smaller than 10 ha, but no relationship between IGF and catchment size in catchments larger than 10 ha. The variability in IGF decreased with catchment size and was lowest at 10–100 ha. The decrease in variability in catchments less than 100 ha was mainly due to river confluence and the increased variability in catchments larger than 100 ha indicated potential observation errors increase in catchments of this size. Plain Language Summary: Inter‐catchment groundwater flow (IGF) refers to groundwater flux across surface topographic boundaries. Recent studies have clarified that IGF significantly affects streamflow generation and water quality. However, direct observation of IGF is difficult, and the mechanisms underlying IGF are not fully understood. This study examined the factors influencing IGF, as well as its scale dependence and variability based on water balance data from 152 forested catchments ranging from 0.09 to 9400 ha in Japan. This showed that catchment area had the greatest influence on IGF. Groundwater tended to flow out of catchments smaller than 10 ha, and stabilized in those larger than 10 ha. Variability in the IGF decreased with catchment size at less than 100 ha. These results suggest that on the scale of hillslope and headwater catchments, IGF has a great influence on streamflow generation. Key Points: We examined the factors influencing inter‐catchment groundwater flow (IGF) using water balance data for 152 forest catchments in JapanCatchment scale was the factor with the greatest influence on the IGFGroundwater tends to flow out of catchments smaller than 10 ha and IGF approaches zero when the catchment area exceeds 10 ha [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water balance (WB) of three irrigated and isolated rice fields (1, 2, and 3) was examined during the dry season of rice cultivation in Makurdi from April 5 to May 6, 2023. Rice is mostly cultivated in the wet season, while dry season rice cultivation is limited by high irrigation costs, funding, and technical knowledge amidst vast water resources around the floodplains. Limited or no research estimates the water balance of a rice field in dry season Makurdi. WB took account of water inputs, outputs, and changes in soil water content (ΔW) in each water balance period. In Field 1, the WB showed a negative ΔW (–42.94 mm), which suggests that adequate water inputs are required to balance the water lost (outputs). The WB showed a positive ΔW of (89.36 mm and 464.75 mm) in Fields 2 and 3, suggesting that the water inputs be minimized to avoid wastage. The total irrigation in Fields 1, 2, and 3 was 499.28 mm, 1,186.95 mm, and 1,400.27 mm, respectively. The irrigation efficiency in Fields 1, 2, and 3 was 39.8%, 29.9%, and 20.9% respectively. The result indicates that Field 1’s rice cultivation can be improved by providing adequate irrigation and enhancing the soil water retention capacity, while proper irrigation scheduling can improve Fields 2 and 3 rice productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, many solar power plants and other types of renewable energy are being located in water-scarce regions. Many projects rely on groundwater resources whose sustainability is uncertain. In the Chuckwalla Basin in California, quantification of recharge and trans-valley underflow is needed to estimate the impacts of solar project withdrawals on the water table.However, such estimates are highly challenging due to data scarcity, heterogeneous soils and long residence times. Conventional assessment employs isolated groundwater models configured with crude and uniform estimates of recharge. Here, we employ a data-constrained surface subsurface processes model, PAWS+CLM, to provide an ensemble of recharges and underflows with perturbed parameters. Then, the Parameter Estimation (PEST) package is used to calibrate MODFLOW aquifer conductivity and filter out implausible recharges. The novel dual-model approach, potentially applicable in other arid regions, can effectively assimilate groundwater head observations, reject unrealistic parameters, and narrow the range of estimated drawdowns.Simulated recharge concentrates along alluvial fans at the mountain fronts and ephemeral washes where run-off water infiltrates. If an evenly distributed recharge was assumed, it resulted in under-estimated drawdown and larger uncertainty bounds. The withdrawals are approaching total inflow, suggesting the system will be nearing, if not exceeding, its sustainable groundwater production capacity, and a boom of such projects will not be sustainable. Especially, the cost/benefit of pumped-storage projects is called into question as the initial-fill phase depletes entire area’s recharge. Our study highlights the stress on groundwater resources of solar development, and that the speed of groundwater recovery does not indicate sustainability.

This article presents the long-term (1952–2020) hydrometeorological observation dataset collected at the Lammin-Suo mire, Leningrad region, Russia. The Lammin-Suo mire is an active (currently peat forming) ombrotrophic mire with intensive peat accumulation and pine - shrub - Sphagnum microtopes, and is thus an example of the most common type of peatland in Eastern Fennoscandia. The data are representative of the wetland taiga region of north-west Russia and can be used to characterise the hydrometeorology and climate of peatland basins and to assess the response of hydrological cycling in peatland basins to changes in climate. The research at the Lammin-Suo Peatland Station focuses on hydrology, meteorology, soil processes and the landscape evolution of the peatland. The dataset includes air temperature, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, cloudiness, precipitation, evaporation, snow depth, peat temperature, peatland water level, groundwater level and temperature. Trend analysis shows a statistically significant warming of the air, peat and groundwater, an increase in precipitation, trends of increasing flow in some peatland streams and a decrease in snow cover duration and thickness. The article also provides an assessment of the water balance of the Lammin-Suo mire based on observational data. The database presented and described here is available for download at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5060039.

Climate refers to the average of meteorological events and weather conditions observed over a long period of time for a region. Many scientists have made different climate classifications. The main goal in these classifications is to determine the similarities of the investigated environments by identifying climate types. Determining climate characteristics and understanding climate boundaries contribute to the sustainability of resources in the region and aid in the preparation of land use plans. It is clear that assessment the boundaries of various climate types to ensure sustainability of regional resources and land use plans. In this study, it was aimed to determine climate boundaries in order to prevent climate-related problems. For this purpose, in this study, the creation of the climate boundary maps of Bartın province (Amasra, Kurucaşile, Merkez District and Ulus) was taken as a basis, based on the need to form a basis for planning. For this reason, the water balance of each district station was calculated using measurement data from four meteorological stations located in the districts of Bartın province for the last thirty years, utilizing the Thornthwaite climate classification method. Additionally, climate types were determined using the Thornthwaite, Trewartha, Erinç, De Martonne, Köppen, and Trewartha climate classification methods. Then, Geographic Information System (GIS)-based climate boundary maps were produced by applying the Kriging interpolation method to the data associated with the location.

[Display omitted] • 13-year field test of a methane oxidising landfill cover with capillary barrier. • On average, the capillary barrier diverted 82% of the water reaching the barrier. • The diversion capacity decreased initially and recovered in the years after. • The cover soil optimised for CH 4 oxidation decreased capillary barrier performance. • Successful dual-functionality cover design must balance both components. This study quantifies the field hydraulic performance of a dual-functionality landfill cover, combining microbial methane oxidation with water diversion using a capillary barrier. The investigated 500 m2 test field, constructed on a landfill in the Netherlands, consisted of a cover soil optimised for methane oxidation, underlain by a sandy capillary layer and a gravelly capillary block. Outflows from these layers were measured between 2009 and 2023. Average precipitation was 848 mm/a, evapotranspiration, diverted infiltration and breakthrough amounted to 504 (59.4 %), 282 (33.3 %) and 62 (7.3 %) mm/a, respectively. On average, the capillary barrier diverted 82 % of the inflow into the capillary layer. Breakthrough occurred mainly from October to March when evapotranspiration was low and the maximum water storage capacity of the cover soil was reached. During this period, inflow into the capillary barrier exceeded its diversion capacity, caused by the relatively high hydraulic conductivity of the cover soil due to its optimisation for gas transport. The diversion capacity declined drastically in the year after construction and increased again afterwards. This was attributed to suffusion of sand from the capillary layer into the capillary block and subsequent washout to greater depths or the influence of iron precipitates at the bottom of the capillary layer. The effect of a more finely grained methane oxidation layer on the hydraulic and methane oxidation performance should be investigated further. These measures could further improve the combined performance of the dual functionality landfill cover system under the given conditions of a temperate climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the Brahmaputra is a transboundary river, the availability of river flow and hydrometeorological data is less in the public domain for the Brahmaputra river basin. Hence, estimation of water balance is difficult for the basin. However, the basin is one of the major populated basins in India and Bangladesh. With the increase in anthropogenic activities, climate change, etc., a proper hydrological and hydraulic study of the basin is essential. Total drainable water storage (TDWS) is one of the fundamental hydrological quantities of a basin that accounts for the long-term average water stored in a basin. In this study, the TDWS of the Brahmaputra basin is estimated. For an ungauged and giant river such as Brahmaputra, where frequent hydrological surveys are not possible, the estimation of TDWS using satellite-based data is highly beneficial and cost-effective. The estimation of TDWS is based on the assumption that storage and discharge have a linear relationship. First, the historical daily discharge data is used to assess the river basin's base flow parameters (recession constant and base flow index). When passed through Eckhardt's digital filter, these parameters and the monthly discharge data give the base flow time series for the basin. From the linear relationship between base flow and the gravity recovery and climate experiment's (GRACE) total water storage anomaly, TDWS for the Brahmaputra basin is estimated. Here in the study, the TDWS is obtained by considering Pandu, Guwahati, as the outlet point for the river catchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring water is one of the natural resources that are beneficial to human life such as fulfilling the needs of clean water, irrigation, and others. Non-integrated spring management has the potential to create conflicts among water users, as is the case at Dukuh Blahkiuh Spring. The unbalanced fulfilment of water needs is felt by Subak Uma Poh farmers and other water users. Related to this, it is necessary to analyse the current availability of water and compare it with the needs and potential that can be developed. The utilisation of springs can be properly integrated if the water balance conditions are known in order to achieve fairness and appropriate proportions and avoid conflicts. The method in this research is quantitative analysis with variables of spring discharge, clean water needs, irrigation, and integrated water utilisation systems. This research shows that the potential water availability at Dukuh Blahkiuh Spring currently has an average discharge of 54.53 litres/second with a reliability level of 80%. The water balance condition that occurs is at the water surplus level with a percentage of 38.81%, which means that spring utilisation still has the potential to be developed. The integrated water service system is designed by prioritising the proportion of water use at 47.93% for clean water, 13.26% for irrigation and followed by other uses at 38.81%. Water balance analysis can illustrate the availability, demand and development potential of Dukuh Blahkiuh Spring, so that the integration of management systems can be done to increase its utilisation.

Pule District, Trenggalek Regency, East Java Province has only 42% of rice fields with irrigated status, and 58% of non-irrigated land. With the presence of a reservoir. the area of non-irrigated rice fields can be served and the planting indeks of rice fields can be increased. To be able to meet the target area of irrigated land diverted by reservoir, a hydrological and water balance approach is needed. The aim of this study is to analyze the water balance of reservoir to obtain the volume of water and the area of rice fields that can be irrigated each month. By using F.J.Mock to analyse water balance and calculate mainstay discharge. Evapotranspiration is calculated by Penman Modified method. The highest mainstay discharge Q80 is occurred about 3.25 m3/s in January, meanwhile the lowest is 0.22 m3/s in October. Reservoir capacity is determined from maximum volume based on height of reservoir. The height is 13.20 m which referenced to elevation 552.20 m.s.l. Maximum volume of reservoir is 56,437 m3. Analysis results show the highest inflow discharge is occurred in January about 7.46 million m3/month, the lowest in August about 0.45 million m3/month. Those condition of discharge if utilized for irrigation 11 Ha around 44,533 m3/month and raw water 2,560 people around 11,904 m3/month, so the reservoir is still in a fulfilled condition. The lowest inflow discharge can be referenced to determine maximum potential irrigation covered area into 112 Ha in dry season.

The Korean Peninsula's mountainous terrain poses challenges to effective water resource management. Notably, two significant river basins, North Han River and Imjin River basins, are essentially shared rivers originating in North Korea. After the construction of various dams in North Korea, billions of tons per year of water annually decreased from the upper reaches of these rivers of North Korea to South Korea. This study conducted an impact analysis on two major river basins affected by dam operations in North Korea. Both before and after the Imnam Dam operation, significant reduction (27.7%) in the average monthly inflow was observed, and the total release of the Hwacheon Dam in South Korea decreased by 40.2%. The analysis of instream flow indicated that the operation of dams in North Korea had a substantial impact on fulfilling instream flow requirements for dams located in North Han River and Imjin River basins. To ensure instream flow, this study proposed two plans. The first plan involved the utilization of existing dams in the North Han River basin, while the second plan suggested connecting the dams in North Korea, taking into account the shared rivers. HIGHLIGHTS The effects of streamflow fluctuation resulting from two major dams’ operations in North Korea was analyzed.; Whether all dams in South Korea released to maintain the instream flow was examined.; Two plans to ensure the instream flow were proposed. The first plan involved the existing dams’ utilization in South Korea and another plan revealed the connection of the dams in North Korea, considering the shared rivers.;

The objective of this study was the critical challenge of accurately predicting water balance components in the Upper Bhima River basin, which is also facing significant challenges due to climate change. A major challenge faced in water balance studies is inadequacy of existing hydrological models to account for the effects of storage structures. The study utilized the variable infiltration capacity–routing application for parallel computation of discharge hydrological model with a newly developed storage structure scheme to simulate water balance components for historical (1999–2010) and future (2019–2040) periods, with future climate forcing from 19 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 GCMs under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The performance of the model was evaluated against observed streamflow data and around 30% improvement is noticed for the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency score. The results signify the adverse impacts of climate change in the region, particularly a significant decrease in monsoon precipitation which may intensify drought scenarios and affect monsoon-driven agriculture. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the high sensitivity of baseflow in the Upper Bhima River to climate alterations, indicating potential threats to biodiversity and river ecosystem health. This research offers indispensable findings crucial for future strategies concerning hydropower, flood management, and water resource management in the region. HIGHLIGHTS Incorporation of storage structures improved streamflow simulations by 30% in the variable infiltration capacity–routing application for parallel discharge computation.; Climate change will negatively impact precipitation, leading to drought conditions in the Upper Bhima River basin.; Monsoon streamflow is expected to decrease significantly, impacting agriculture productivity in the region.; Findings are crucial for future hydropower and flood management development in the region.;

The study focuses on assessing the individual and combined impacts of climate variability and land use change on hydrological responses. The results indicate that the basin, urban area, cropland, degraded forest, and open forest shows an increasing trend, while gallery forest shows a decreasing trend over the period 1992–2015. Climatic variability is marked by two climatic periods (a wet one from 1980 to 1996 and a dry one from 1997 to 2016) with a 35% decrease in rainfall. Regardless of the state of the landcover used, the simulated mean annual runoff decreases by 67.92% between the wet and dry climate periods. Changes in land use between 1992 and 2015 reduce mean annual runoff by 4.71%. Analysis of the joint effect of climatic and LU variation shows a 68.96% reduction in runoff. In this catchment. The joint impact has a clearly greater effect on runoff than the climatic impact, which is greater than that of human activities. There is a need for policymakers to prioritise sustainable land use practices and integrated water resource management strategies in the area to mitigate the combined effects of climate variability and anthropogenic activities, ensuring the long-term resilience of the ecosystem and water availability for local communities. HIGHLIGHTS The SWAT model was used to isolate the climate and land use change impacts on streamflow.; Impact of autocorrelation in the study of time series trends using modified Mann–Kendall test.; Hydrologic responses follow the direction of joint effects of climate and land use change.; Individual and combined impacts of climate and land use changes on hydrologic responses were evaluated.;

Crop yield variations in the Orinoquía region, Colombia, are primarily associated with extreme precipitation events. Therefore, studying crop water supplies under naturally variable climate conditions is fundamental in an actual climatic change context. Rainfall data collected in the Quenane basin were analyzed to understand the soil water dynamics in the Orinoco catchment. The basin covers 179 km2 and consists of the piedmont landscape (Eastern Mountain Range) of the Villavicencio Municipality, Department of Meta. This study analyzes the rainfall variability using Pearson correlation analysis, the Mann–Kendall trend analysis, and soil water balance to determine the implications of these factors in crop performance at the basin scale. The results indicated that the spatial distribution of rainfall in the basin responds to a longitudinal average variation of precipitation and that this response is more accentuated (i.e., greater rainfall) toward the west of the basin. Despite the basin being located in the tropical zone, no evidence was found regarding the effect of the El Niño Southern Oscillation on rainfall patterns. Yet, the temporal analysis revealed some years with extreme rainfall values and high-uncertainty levels during transitions between wet and dry periods. During these transition periods, a greater potential for effects on farm yields exists due to the variable cumulative rainfall observed during recent years. The time series trend analysis revealed changes in rainfall patterns at different scales (weekly and yearly) and distribution based on the decrease of rainy days per week and year. This trend is much more accentuated during the second half of the year, generating uncertainty and reducing farm yields throughout the basin.

The response of evapotranspiration (ET) to drought is essential for understanding water availability under drought conditions, which has received increasing scientific attention but remains highly uncertain. An unprecedented extreme drought sweeping the whole Yangtze River Basin during the summer and autumn of 2022 provides a novel opportunity to explore the ET response to drought within large river basins. Here, we apply multiple ET products to investigate the spatiotemporal variation of ET during the 2022 extreme drought and analyse the response of ET to drought in the Yangtze River Basin. The results show that this drought, characterized by widespread substantial precipitation deficit and high level of atmospheric evaporative demand (AED), leads to evident abnormal ET. Over the whole basin, ET exhibits a notable increase in the initial 2 months of this drought, which can significantly reduce water availability. However, despite continued high AED, the increase in ET fails to remain in the following months due to limited moisture supply. This suggests that ET response to drought varies as drought progresses. Among other drought events from 2003 to 2022, the response of ET is similar to that in the 2022 extreme drought. Specifically, for most sub‐basins, ET typically shows positive anomalies in the early stage of drought, followed by negative anomalies in the late stage. Generally, our findings improve the understanding of the dynamic response of ET to drought at the basin scale, which is crucial for basin water security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This data paper presents microplastic (MP) concentration and composition data from four campaigns in a one-year period in the Seine River within the Greater Paris area. Detailed data on MP occurrence, physical water parameters, hydrological conditions, and potential sewer point sources are presented. Initial analysis of the data set shows that MP concentrations were significant (median: 600 particles m-3 and 100 mg m-3) and MP fluxes showed variations across sampling sites and campaigns. Three polymer types (polypropylene -- PP, polyethylene -- PE, polystyrene -- PS) account for 96% of the total number of MP. This dataset provides valuable insights for understanding river MP pollution under anthropogenic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water balance is crucial for the growth and flowering of plants. However, the mechanisms by which flowers maintain water balance are poorly understood across different angiosperm branches.Here, we investigated 29 floral hydraulic and economic traits in 24 species from ANA grade, magnoliids, monocots, and eudicots. Our main objective was to compare differences in flower water use strategies between basal angiosperms (ANA grade and magnoliids) and derived group (monocots and eudicots).We found that basal angiosperms had richer petal stomatal density, higher pedicel hydraulic diameter, and flower mass per area, but lower pedicel vessel wall reinforcement and epidermal cell thickness compared to monocots and eudicots. We also observed significant trade‐offs and coordination among different floral traits. Floral traits associated with reproduction, such as floral longevity and size, were strongly linked with physiological and anatomical traits.Our results systematically reveal the variation in flower economic and hydraulic traits from different angiosperm branches, deepening understanding of flower water use strategies among these plant taxa. We conclude that basal angiosperms maintain water balance with high water supply, whereas monocots and eudicots maintain a more conservative water balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the hydrological processes associated with wetland dynamics is fundamental to studying climate change impacts and the global water cycle. This study simulates the variation of water balance in the Ghorra Playa, Eastern Tunisia, over the period extending from September 2017 to August 2020. The playa is a seasonal habitat for a number of migratory bird species and its watershed is of vital agricultural importance. Water balance estimations were performed using two different approaches: remote sensing-based analyses (Sentinel-2B, Global Precipitation Measurements (GPM) and Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS-NET)) and modelling founded on field data. The playa presents an average annual water balance of 1.1 million cubic metres. Water inflows come from direct rainfall, mostly in the fall and spring seasons. Groundwater flow into the playa significantly influenced the pattern of water flux (81%). The annual, seasonal and monthly water budget simulations show reasonably good agreement between the remote sensing-based analysis and the hydrological modelling exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water shortage is one of the serious environmental problems in a semi-arid region, which has become increasingly dangerous. The article considers a new management simulation model of Groundwater (GW) resources using a water flow model. One thousand one hundred fifty irrigation wells were selected as a study area using Landsat 8 OLI images 2016-2021 in the West of Karbala province, Iraq. Geographic Information System tool integrated with numerical /conceptual model using the Visual MODFLOW Flex 7 software to reach the optimal use of GW resources. The conceptual model indicated that the value of the flow in the aquifer reaches 21 million cubic meters annually, which means there is renewable storage. The consumer value of GW was about 55 million m3/year. The result presented that the value of the lost and depleted storage in this part becomes about -34 million m3/year, which is the value of the variation in the underground storage, meaning there is a significant depletion of GW in the study area. Using the Visual MODFLOW Flex 7 software and entering parameters for the study area through pumping and monitoring wells, an error of 0.067 m was achieved in estimating groundwater recharge places near the folds' rocky aquifers. The normalized RMS for the model was 69.595%, and the correlation coefficient was 0.391. The contour lines in the region's East indicate increased conductivity due to channels and openings formed during groundwater-bearing rocks, depressions, and lakes. The study concluded that the outputs could help water administrations for more accurate and sustainable plans and management of GW resources in the Karbala area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Plant water status is important for fruit development, because many fleshy fruits contain large amounts of water. However, there is no information on vascular flows of Persea americana 'Hass' avocado. The aims of this research were to explore the impact of drought stress on the water relationships of the 'Hass' avocado plant and its fruit growth. Methods Well-watered and water-stressed 'Hass' avocado plants were compared. Over 4 weeks, water flows through the shoot and fruit pedicel were monitored using external sap flow gauges. Fruit diameter was monitored using linear transducers, and stomatal conductance (g s), photosynthesis (A) and leaf and stem water potentials (Ѱleaf and Ѱstem) were measured to assess the response of the plants to water supply. Key Results In well-watered conditions, the average water inflow to the shoot was 72 g day−1. Fruit water inflow was 2.72 g day−1, but there was water loss of 0.37 g day−1 caused by the outflow (loss back into the tree) through the vascular tissues and 1.06 g day−1 from the fruit skin. Overall, fruit volume increased by 1.4 cm3 day−1. In contrast, water flow into fruit of water-stressed plants decreased to 1.88 g day−1, with the outflow increasing to 0.61 g day−1. As a result, increases in fruit volume were reduced to 0.4 cm3 day−1. The values of A , g s and sap flow to shoots were also reduced during drought conditions. Changes in the hourly time-courses of pedicel sap flow, fruit volume and stem water potential during drought suggest that the stomatal response prevented larger increases in outflow from the fruit. Following re-watering, a substantial recovery in growth rate was observed. Conclusions In summary, a reduction in growth of avocado fruit was observed with induced water deficit, but the isohydric stomatal behaviour of the leaves helped to minimize negative changes in water balance. Also, there was substantial recovery after re-watering, hence the short-term water stress did not decrease avocado fruit size. Negative impacts might appear if the drought treatment were prolonged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timoney, KP. 2024. Climate change has driven multidecadal declines in lake levels in central Alberta, Canada. Lake Reserv Manage. 40:205–220. This study examined water level data from 5 lakes in central Alberta to determine the timing and rates of change and to identify the causes for those changes. Over the past century, the estimated average levels of Beaverhill and Cooking lakes declined ∼3 m. Highest lake levels were observed ca. 1902–1904. Lake levels varied widely over the decades, punctuated by periods of high or low water conditions embedded within the longer term declines. Over the past 50 yr, average rates of lake drawdown were as follows: Miquelon −6.8 cm/yr, Cooking −4.4 cm/yr, Beaverhill −4.4 cm/yr, Hastings −0.9 cm/yr, and Ministik −0.7 cm/yr. Over time, annual temperature, evaporation, and net evaporation increased while annual precipitation, runoff, and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) decreased. Annual precipitation was significantly correlated with the levels of all 5 lakes, and with annual runoff and PDSI. Net evaporation was significantly correlated with temperature, runoff, PDSI, and the levels of all lakes but Ministik. Annual runoff was significantly correlated with the levels of all 5 lakes and PDSI. Conversely, neither annual temperature nor evaporation was correlated significantly with the annual lake levels. Annual levels of all 5 lakes were significantly correlated with each other. The lake level declines are part of a larger pattern of declining levels observed in other lakes in western North America over many decades. In central Alberta, data from several sources indicate accelerated rates of drawdown since the late 1970s to early 1980s at some lakes and accelerated declines since the mid to late 1990s at other lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WetSpass-M model and multi-technique baseflow separation (MTBS) were applied to estimate spatio-temporal groundwater recharge (GWR) to be used to comprehend and enhance sustainable water resource development in the data-scarce region. Identification of unit Hydrographs And Component flows from Rainfall, Evaporation, and Streamflow (IHACRES) techniques outperform the existing 13 MTBS techniques to separate baseflow depending on the correlation matrix; mean baseflow was 5.128 m3/s. The WetSpass-M model performance evaluated by Nash-Sutcliff Efficiency (NSE) was 0.95 and 0.89; R2 was 0.90 and 0.85 in comparison to observed and simulated mean monthly baseflow and runoff (m3/s), respectively. The estimated mean annual water balance was 608.2 mm for actual evapotranspiration, 221.42 mm for the surface runoff, 87.42 mm for interception rate, and 177.66 mm for GWR, with an error of − 3.29 mm/year. The highest annual actual evapotranspiration was depicted in areas covered by vegetation, whereas lower in the settlement. The peak annual interception rates have been noticed in areas covered with forests and shrublands, whereas the lowest in settlement and bare land. The maximum annual runoff was depicted in settlement and bare land, while the lowest was in forest-covered areas. The annual recharge rates were low in bare land due to high runoff and maximum in forest-covered areas due to low surface runoff. The watershed's downstream areas receive scanty annual rainfall, which causes low recharge and drought. The findings point the way ahead in terms of selecting the best approach across multi-technique baseflow separations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essay describes how a combination of scaling theory from percolation, that relates pore scale flow and transport through catchment scales to global scales (bottom‐up), as well as water fluxes to soil formation and vegetation growth, can be used to support an accurate ecological optimization that (top‐down): solves the central problem of hydrology, that is., "the water balance," and generates critically important derived quantities, namely streamflow response to climate change, net primary productivity, and plant species richness. Moreover, the essay describes how this particular theoretical approach came to be designed and how it, in retrospect, fits in with the vision of the Committee on Opportunities in the Hydrologic Sciences which met 34 years ago to formulate a research, teaching, and infrastructure guide for the community, and "rebrand our science as a geoscience." Finally, it demonstrates how the research satisfies the present desires of the community to unite Darwinian and Newtonian scientific methods in the solution of this central problem and how it relates to present research directions in the fields of hydrologic sciences and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]