Projected Climate‐Driven Changes of Water Table Depth in the World's Major Groundwater Basins

As groundwater found in aquifers is the main reservoir of freshwater for human activity, knowledge future response to climate change key improving water management adaptation plans. We analyze climate-driven evolution levels unconfined 218 world's major basins global simulations following latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios, run with models able capture feedbacks among climate, land use and groundwater. find a rising average, which consistent projected intensification precipitation. This signal presents large regional disparities mostly match patterns precipitation changes. we used do not simulate withdrawals (irrigation as well domestic industrial uses) represent other driver evolution, also Food Agriculture Organization maps present-day irrigated areas projections population 2100 identify regions where could exacerbate depletion, or even reverse rise into depletion. Depending scenario, then (respectively depletion) over 33%[28–39]% 42%[41–45]% 26%[25–32]% 37%[36–40]%) area covered by basins. And estimate that 31%[29–36]% 43%[42–44]% be affected these changes, facing either scarcity issues (for 29%[27–33]% 40%[39–40]% population), increased risks flooding 1.7%[1.5–2.2]% 2.2%[2.2–2.4]% population).