Enhancing LULC scenarios impact assessment in hydrological dynamics using participatory mapping protocols in semiarid regions

Land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios in rural catchment hydrology are crucial to describe the effects of future water dynamics. However, there is a lack understanding effectiveness including static covers at subbasin level provide inter-annual stability changing different balance components. We developed step-by-step mapping protocol extend enrich hydrological assessment LULC defined through participatory stakeholder involvement. This novelty included specific allocation dynamic change among then compared dynamics current situation. For this, we quantified impact on components from three contrasting implemented with SWAT model basin central Spain. The Land-sharing scenario (LSH) had highest percentage permanent grassland shrubs no increase irrigated baseline. land-sparing (LSP) intensified agricultural close urban areas, (LBA) was intermediate. LSH increased aquifer recharge by +1.7% streamflow +1.5%, while evapotranspiration soil storage decreased -0.2%. In contrast, LBA riverine flux -0.5%, an -0.6%, -3.5%, rate +0.3%. Thus, revealed that such as could buffer dynamics, suggesting dedicated planning permanently vegetated will favour conservation.