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Evolution of groundwater recharge as a result of forest development on the east coast of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Evolution de la recharge des eaux souterraines suite au développement de la forêt sur la côte orientale de la province de Buenos Aires, Argentine

Evolución de la recarga del agua subterránea como el resultado del desarrollo forestal en la costa oriental de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

阿根廷Buenos Aires省东海岸森林发展导致的地下水补给量变化

Evolução da recarga de águas subterrâneas como resultado do desenvolvimento florestal na costa leste da província de Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Abstract

Changes in groundwater recharge associated with variations in land use were analysed with a focus on the role of afforestation on the east coast of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The growth of the population related to such changes was considered, linking water consumption to variations in recharge. A multi-temporal analysis was carried out using aerial photographs for the years 1957, 1975, 1981 and 2016, differentiating three types of cover: bare soil, forested soil and grassland. Water balances for each type of land use and groundwater recharge were estimated. In the forested soil, a reduction in recharge over time can be observed and it can be appreciated that forest expansion occurs at the expense of the sand-dune area, which offers the greatest possibilities for infiltration. At present, the water consumption, which depends solely on the groundwater reserves, is lower than the recharge, but this relationship is reversed during the tourist season. According to the estimated projections, the drinking water supply would be compromised in the coming decades, reaching a critical point or level of collapse as from 2070. This proves that it is essential for the policies and projects aiming at afforestation for different purposes to take into consideration the role of this change in land use when assessing the sustainability of the associated water resources.

Résumé

Les changements de la recharge des eaux souterraines associés aux variations de l’occupation des sols ont été analysés, en mettant l’accent sur le rôle de la reforestation sur la côte orientale de Buenos Aires, Argentine. La croissance de la population liée à de tels changements a été prise en compte, en corrélant la consommation d’eau aux variations de la recharge. Une analyse multi-temporelle a été réalisée en utilisant les photographies aériennes des années 1957, 1975, 1981 et 2016 et en distinguant trois types de couverture: le sol nu, le sol forestier et la prairie. Les bilans hydriques de chaque type d’occupation des sols et de recharge des eaux souterraines ont été établis. Sur un sol boisé, on peut observer une réduction de la recharge dans le temps et on peut constater que le développement de la forêt se fait au détriment de la zone des dunes de sable, qui offre les possibilités d’infiltration les meilleures. Actuellement, la consommation en eau, qui dépend uniquement des réserves en eaux souterraines, est inférieure à la recharge, mais cette relation s’inverse au cours de la saison touristique. Selon les projections effectuées, l’alimentation en eau potable serait compromise dans les décennies à venir, atteignant un point critique ou un niveau d’effondrement à partir de 2070. Cela prouve qu’il est essentiel que les politiques et projets avec pour objectif le reboisement à des fins diverses prennent en compte le rôle de ce changement d’occupation des sols lors de l’évaluation de la durabilité des ressources en eau associées.

Resumen

Se analizaron los cambios en la recarga del agua subterránea asociados a las variaciones en el uso del suelo con énfasis en el rol de la forestación en la costa oriental de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se consideró la evolución de la población vinculada a dichos cambios, relacionando el consumo de agua y las variaciones de la recarga. Se realizó un análisis multitemporal utilizando fotografías aéreas para 1957, 1975, 1981 y 2016 distinguiendo tres tipos de cobertura: suelo desnudo, forestado y pastizal. Se estimaron balances hídricos para cada tipo de uso de suelo y la recarga de agua subterránea. En el suelo forestado se evidencia una reducción en la recarga a través del tiempo y se reconoce que el crecimiento del bosque ocurre a expensas de la pérdida de áreas de dunas, las cuales presentan las mayores posibilidades de infiltración. En la actualidad el consumo de agua, que depende únicamente de las reservas de agua subterránea, es inferior a la recarga, pero esta relación se invierte en la temporada turística. Según las proyecciones estimadas, el abastecimiento de agua potable se vería comprometido en las próximas décadas, alcanzando una situación crítica o de colapso a partir de 2070. Se demuestra que resulta imprescindible que las políticas y proyectos destinados a forestar con diferentes objetivos tengan en cuenta el papel que juega este cambio en el uso del suelo a la hora de evaluar la sustentabilidad del recurso hídrico asociado.

摘要

本文从造林对阿根廷Buenos Aires东海岸的影响入手,分析了与土地利用变化相关的地下水补给量变化。也考虑了与这种变化相关的人口增长,将用水量与补给量的变化联系在了一起。本文采用1957年、1975年、1981年和2016年的航拍照片进行多时相分析,区分出了三种土地覆盖类型:裸土、林地和草地。并且对每种土地利用类型和地下水补给进行了水均衡估算。在森林土壤中,可以观察到补给量随时间减少,这可以理解为森林扩张是以沙丘面积减少为代价的,这种扩张使入渗的可能性大大增加。目前,仅依赖于地下水储量的用水量略低于地下水的补给量,但这种关系在旅游旺季期间是相反的。根据预测估计,饮用水供给在未来几十年将受到损害,从2070年起将达到临界点或崩溃水平。这表明,为不同目的植树造林的政策和项目在评估相关水资源的可持续性时,必须考虑到这种土地利用变化的影响。

Resumo

As mudanças na recarga das águas subterrâneas associadas a dinâmica do uso da terra foram analisadas com foco no papel do florestamento na costa leste de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Foi considerado o crescimento da população relacionado a tais mudanças, ligando o consumo de água a variações na recarga. Foi realizada uma análise multitemporal utilizando fotografias aéreas dos anos 1957, 1975, 1981 e 2016, diferenciando três tipos de cobertura: solo exposto, solo florestado e pastagens. Foram estimados os balanços hídricos para cada tipo de uso da terra e recarga das águas subterrâneas. No solo florestado, pode-se observar uma redução na recarga ao longo do tempo e pode-se notar que a expansão florestal ocorre sob área de dunas de areia, que oferece as maiores possibilidades de infiltração. Atualmente, o consumo de água, que depende exclusivamente das reservas de águas subterrâneas, é inferior à recarga, mas esta relação se inverte durante a época de maior visitação de turistas. De acordo com as projeções estimadas, o abastecimento de água potável estaria comprometido nas próximas décadas, atingindo um ponto crítico ou nível de colapso a partir de 2070. Isto prova que é essencial que as políticas e projetos de florestamento para diferentes fins levem em consideração o papel desta mudança no uso da terra ao avaliar a sustentabilidade dos recursos hídricos associados.

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Acknowledgements

This work was developed under the research project “Bases para un manejo sustentable de los recursos hídricos en la franja costera arenosa oriental de la Provincia de Buenos Aires” [Guidelines for the sustainable management of water resources in the eastern coastal sand-dune barrier of the Province of Buenos Aires] (PICT 2013-2117, ANPCyT, Argentina). The authors would like to thank Samanta Anguiano (Secretaria de Paisaje y Medio Ambiente, Pinamar) for her contribution to this work, as well as the reviewers and editors for the valuable comments that improved the quality of the manuscript.

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Carretero, S., Rodrigues Capítulo, L. & Kruse, E. Evolution of groundwater recharge as a result of forest development on the east coast of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hydrogeol J 29, 783–797 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-020-02282-z

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