New model predicts groundwater depletion, revolutionizing sustainable water management worldwide.
Groundwater depletion is a big problem worldwide, especially in areas facing overuse or climate change. Scientists created a new model to predict long-term changes in groundwater storage. They modified an existing model to focus on aquifers and tested it on a virtual aquifer in New Zealand. The model accurately forecasted groundwater levels and depletion during a 40-year period, even in extreme drought conditions.