Ecological impacts induced by groundwater and their thresholds in the arid areas in northwest china

Wenke Wang1,2,3, Zeyuan Yang1,2,3, Jinling Kong2,3,4, Donghui Cheng1,2,3, Lei Duan1,2,3, Zhoufeng Wang1,2,3

1 Chang an University, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi an, 710054 Shaanxi, P.R. China
2 Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, P.R. China
3 Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecology in Arid Areas, Ministry of Education, P.R. China
4 Chang an University, School of Earth Science and Resources, Xi an, 710054 Shaanxi, P.R. China

Abstract


Based on the field survey, this paper analyzes the relationship between groundwater and ecological environment in arid and semiarid areas in northwest China. Groundwater in the arid and semiarid areas is a natural resource with economic and ecological values. The concept of the ecological value of groundwater is firstly presented. This ecological value can be reflected in four aspects: (1) the maintenance of base flow in rivers and areas of lakes and wetland; (2) the supply of physiological water demanded by vegetations; (3) the regulation of soil moisture and salt content; and (4) the stability of the geological environment (such as land subsidence etc.). In addition, the threshold system between the ecological environment and multi-dimensional indices as variations in levels of the groundwater table, groundwater quality, water and salt content in the vadose zone as well as groundwater exploitation, are proposed in the arid and semiarid areas. It is expected that the system could provide a scientific basis and technological support for the regulation of the groundwater status and the maintenance of sustainable development of the ecological environment and utilization of water resources.

Keywords


arid and semiarid areas; ecological value of groundwater; supergene ecological effects; thresholds

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