1st-time global mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems reveals 53% depletion, with only 20% under official protection.
New research maps groundwater-dependent ecosystems globally for the first time, revealing 53% are undergoing depletion with only 20% under official protection. As climate change and human water use deplete groundwater levels, scientists and policymakers require better data to protect these vital ecosystems, which support life in dryland regions. The global study, published in Nature, involved researchers from seven countries, including UC Santa Barbara.
July 17, 2024
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