Department Water Resources and Drinking Water

Climate change alters precipitation patterns, evapotranspiration, and drought frequency, directly affecting groundwater recharge processes. This project investigates how groundwater recharge responds to climate variability and extremes across different hydrogeological settings. It focuses on the role of model complexity in simulating unsaturated zone processes and recharge dynamics. Recharge estimates are compared across models with varying structural detail and calibration periods. Special attention is given to drought conditions and their propagation from the land surface to groundwater. The project evaluates uncertainties in recharge estimates under past, present, and future climate conditions. Results improve understanding of groundwater vulnerability to climate change. They support robust groundwater management and climate adaptation strategies.