Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations
Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) provide valuable ecosystem services but are threatened by climate change and increased human groundwater use. Sustainable groundwater management requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of GDEs, but this remains a challenge. Here we developed an effectiv...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Digital Earth |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2528636 |
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| author | Yu Liang Chunyan Cao Xiaoyu Zhu Sicong Gao Yongqiang Zhang Xuanlong Ma |
| author_facet | Yu Liang Chunyan Cao Xiaoyu Zhu Sicong Gao Yongqiang Zhang Xuanlong Ma |
| author_sort | Yu Liang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) provide valuable ecosystem services but are threatened by climate change and increased human groundwater use. Sustainable groundwater management requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of GDEs, but this remains a challenge. Here we developed an effective workflow for mapping GDEs and their dependence on groundwater at 30 m resolution over the Hexi Corridor, northwestern China, by integrating multi-source Earth observations. The method integrates seasonal Landsat NDVI and NDWI indices with an unsupervised ISODATA clustering algorithm and groundwater depth datasets to classify GDEs. The accuracy of the mapping results was validated by multiple measurements. Results show that 34.23% of the study area is GDE, mainly in shallow water table and arid regions, making them vulnerable to exploitation. We also found that the rate of decline of the GRACE terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA), a satellite proxy for groundwater dynamics, was faster in areas with high GDE occurrence, suggesting that urgent groundwater management actions are needed to avoid the potential loss of valuable services provided by these ecosystems to the human society. While demonstrated in northwestern China, the workflow is adaptable to other global regions, enabling consistent and dynamic monitoring of GDEs. The GDE map has been uploaded to the data repository for free public access:(http://datadryad.org/stash/share/mODbi5SlXI_oeV1E_rWs5SD7eZEz-HfDKgB8JxET-ZA). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6395dfad8eff4db797f4458b77998a2e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1753-8947 1753-8955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Digital Earth |
| spelling | doaj-art-6395dfad8eff4db797f4458b77998a2e2025-08-25T11:25:13ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Digital Earth1753-89471753-89552025-08-0118110.1080/17538947.2025.2528636Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observationsYu Liang0Chunyan Cao1Xiaoyu Zhu2Sicong Gao3Yongqiang Zhang4Xuanlong Ma5MoE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou People’s Republic of ChinaMoE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou People’s Republic of ChinaMoE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou People’s Republic of ChinaCommonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Environment, Adelaide AustraliaKey Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, IGSNRR, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing People’s Republic of ChinaMoE Key Laboratory of Western China’s Environmental Systems, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou People’s Republic of ChinaGroundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) provide valuable ecosystem services but are threatened by climate change and increased human groundwater use. Sustainable groundwater management requires knowledge of the spatial distribution of GDEs, but this remains a challenge. Here we developed an effective workflow for mapping GDEs and their dependence on groundwater at 30 m resolution over the Hexi Corridor, northwestern China, by integrating multi-source Earth observations. The method integrates seasonal Landsat NDVI and NDWI indices with an unsupervised ISODATA clustering algorithm and groundwater depth datasets to classify GDEs. The accuracy of the mapping results was validated by multiple measurements. Results show that 34.23% of the study area is GDE, mainly in shallow water table and arid regions, making them vulnerable to exploitation. We also found that the rate of decline of the GRACE terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA), a satellite proxy for groundwater dynamics, was faster in areas with high GDE occurrence, suggesting that urgent groundwater management actions are needed to avoid the potential loss of valuable services provided by these ecosystems to the human society. While demonstrated in northwestern China, the workflow is adaptable to other global regions, enabling consistent and dynamic monitoring of GDEs. The GDE map has been uploaded to the data repository for free public access:(http://datadryad.org/stash/share/mODbi5SlXI_oeV1E_rWs5SD7eZEz-HfDKgB8JxET-ZA).https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2528636Groundwater dependent ecosystemsDrylandlandsatclimate changesustainable development |
| spellingShingle | Yu Liang Chunyan Cao Xiaoyu Zhu Sicong Gao Yongqiang Zhang Xuanlong Ma Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations International Journal of Digital Earth Groundwater dependent ecosystems Dryland landsat climate change sustainable development |
| title | Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations |
| title_full | Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations |
| title_short | Unveiling hidden dynamics: fine-scale mapping of groundwater-dependent ecosystems using multi-source Earth observations |
| title_sort | unveiling hidden dynamics fine scale mapping of groundwater dependent ecosystems using multi source earth observations |
| topic | Groundwater dependent ecosystems Dryland landsat climate change sustainable development |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/17538947.2025.2528636 |
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