Groundwater in India plays an important role to support livelihoods and maintain ecosystems and the present rate of depletion of groundwater resources poses a serious threat to water security. Yet, the sensitivity of the hydrological processes governing groundwater recharge to climate variability remains unclear in the region. Here we assess the groundwater sensitivity (precipitation–recharge relationship) and its potential resilience towards climatic variability over peninsular India using a conceptual water balance model and a convex model, respectively in 54 catchments over peninsular India. Based on the model performance using a comprehensive approach (Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency [NSE], bias and variability), 24 out of 54 catchments are selected for assessment of groundwater sensitivity and its resilience. Further, a systematic approach is used to understand the changes in resilience on a temporal scale based upon the convex model and principle of critical slowing down theory. The results of the study indicate that the catchments with higher mean groundwater sensitivity (GWS) encompass high variability in GWS over the period (1988–2011), thus indicating the associated vulnerability towards hydroclimatic disturbances. Moreover, it was found that the catchments pertaining to a lower magnitude of mean resilience index incorporates a high variability in resilience index over the period (1993–2007), clearly illustrating the inherent vulnerability of these catchments. The resilience of groundwater towards climatic variability and hydroclimatic disturbances that is revealed by groundwater sensitivity is essential to understand the future impacts of changing climate on groundwater and can further facilitate effective adaptation strategies.

中文翻译：

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量化印度半岛上的地下水敏感性和复原力

印度的地下水在维持生计和维持生态系统方面发挥着重要作用，目前地下水资源的枯竭速度对水安全构成了严重威胁。然而，该地区尚不清楚控制地下水补给的水文过程对气候变化的敏感性。在这里，我们分别使用概念性水平衡模型和凸模型评估了印度半岛54个集水区的地下水敏感性（降水-补给关系）及其对气候变异性的潜在适应力。基于模型的综合性能（纳什·苏特克利夫效率[NSE]，偏差和变异性），从54个流域中选择了24个用于评估地下水敏感性及其回弹力。进一步，基于凸模型和临界减速理论的原理，采用系统的方法来理解时间尺度上的弹性变化。研究结果表明，平均地下水敏感性（GWS）较高的集水区在该时期（1988-2011年）的GWS变异较大，因此表明了对水文气候扰动的相关脆弱性。此外，还发现，在较低的平均复原力指数范围内的流域，在此期间（1993-2007年）的复原力指数变化很大，这清楚地说明了这些流域的固有脆弱性。