Land Cover Changes and Their Influence on Recharge in a Mediterranean Karstic Aquifer (Alicante, Spain)

Groundwater plays a key role in the subsistence of people and their activities throughout the globe, particularly in arid zones. In the highly dynamic context of the Mediterranean landscape, a deep understanding of aquifer systems is essential for their optimal management. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of land cover on recharge in the Almudaina-Segaria aquifer, through the simulation of different land cover scenarios. The results showed a 32% decrease in the total water volume + entering the aquifer when extensive agriculture was replaced by natural forests, with a remarkable drop in the water table elevation for a large portion of the aquifer, depending on geology and topography. Considering the demographic evolution and ongoing climatic changes, it is fundamental to incorporate a management perspective where surface and underground processes are integrated as a fundamental part of a sustainable system.