A newly developed method combining local remote sensing and geodata integration was used to identify groundwater-dependent vegetation (GDV) in a Mediterranean study area. The results were validated in a botanical field campaign using a simple ecohydrological index (cover of phreatophytes and moisture value of non-phreatophytes).
In addition, differences in vigour were found between oaks in groundwater-dependent and groundwater-independent ecosystems. Accordingly, GDV is more common in deciduous and coniferous forests and in low permeability aquifers with shallow groundwater circulation. Local results on the locations of GDV can be linked to land use intensity or climate change impacts to identify threatened GDV and enable sustainable management of groundwater resources.
The publication by Léonard El-Hokayem can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109784
