Abstract
Groundwater-level fluctuations at a large scale have a significant effect on the preservation and restoration of vegetation. This study determined suitable groundwater depth within which natural vegetation grows well, and analysed the effect of groundwater regulation on vegetation restoration in Tianjin City, northern China. Normal and lognormal distributions were used to fit the curve of the relation between vegetation and groundwater depth. The groundwater depth range corresponding to the higher frequency of vegetation distribution was regarded as the ‘suitable water depth’ range for vegetation growth. The suitable groundwater depth for shrub growth was 3–5 m and for grass growth 1–3 m. A groundwater flow model predicted the future changes of groundwater depths in the vegetation distribution area under the condition that the current levels of groundwater extraction are maintained. The results showed that there is potential for the extraction of groundwater in shrubland areas, but for grassland areas the water-table elevation showed a downward trend, meaning that water shortages in some areas may be more severe in the future. Finally, based on the current groundwater extraction regime, two regulation schemes were developed: (1) for shrubland, groundwater extraction was reduced by 10% in the ecological water deficit areas, and extraction was increased by 10% in the ecological water surplus and suitable areas, and (2) for grassland, groundwater recharge was increased by the restoration of the wetland areas. In conclusion, the groundwater depths in most of the area would be more suitable for vegetation growth under the regulation schemes.
Résumé
Les fluctuations du niveau d’eau souterraine, à une large échelle, ont un effet significatif sur la préservation et la restauration de la végétation. Cette étude a déterminé la profondeur appropriée de l’eau souterraine pour laquelle la végétation naturelle prospère, et a analysé l’effet de la régulation des eaux souterraines sur la restauration de la végétation dans la ville de Tianjin, dans le nord de la Chine. Des distributions normales et log normales ont été utilisées pour ajuster la courbe de la relation entre le développement de la végétation et la profondeur des eaux souterraines. La gamme de la profondeur de l’eau souterraine correspondant à la fréquence la plus élevée de la distribution de la végétation a été considérée comme la gamme de « profondeur d’eau appropriée » pour la croissance de la végétation. La profondeur d’eau appropriée pour la croissance des arbustes était de 3–5 m et pour la croissance de l’herbe de 1–3 m. Un modèle d’écoulement des eaux souterraines a permis de prédire les changements futurs des profondeurs d’eau souterraines dans la surface de la distribution de la végétation à condition que les niveaux actuels de prélèvement des eaux souterraines soient maintenus. Les résultats ont montré qu’il y a un potentiel de prélèvements des eaux souterraines dans les zones d’arbustes, alors que pour les zones de prairies l’altitude du niveau piézométrique est caractérisée par une tendance à la baisse, ce qui signifie que les pénuries d’eau dans certaines régions pourraient être plus importantes dans le futur. Enfin à partir du régime actuel d’exploitation des eaux souterraines, deux schémas d’adaptation ont été développés: (1) pour les zones d’arbustes, les prélèvements d’eaux souterraines sont réduits de 10% dans les zones de déficit hydrique et écologique, et le prélèvement est augmenté de 10% dans les zones appropriées et de surplus du point de vue hydrique et écologiques, et (2) pour les zones de prairies, la recharge des eaux souterraines a été augmentée du fait de la restauration des zones humides. En conclusion, les profondeurs des eaux souterraines dans la majeure partie de la zone seraient plus adaptées pour la croissance de la végétation dans le cadre de schémas d’adaptation.
Resumen
Las fluctuaciones del nivel de agua subterránea a gran escala tienen un efecto significativo en la preservación y restauración de la vegetación. Este estudio determinó la profundidad adecuada del agua subterránea dentro de la cual crece bien la vegetación natural, y analizó el efecto de la regulación del agua subterránea sobre la restauración de la vegetación en la ciudad de Tianjin, en el norte de China. Las distribuciones normal y lognormal se utilizaron para ajustar a la curva de la relación entre la vegetación y la profundidad del agua subterránea. El rango de profundidad del agua subterránea correspondiente a la mayor frecuencia de distribución de la vegetación se consideró como el rango de “adecuada profundidad del agua” para el crecimiento de la vegetación. La profundidad adecuada del agua subterránea para el crecimiento de arbustos fue de 3–5 m y para el crecimiento de pasturas de 1–3 m. Un modelo de flujo de agua subterránea predijo los cambios futuros de las profundidades del agua subterránea en el área de distribución de la vegetación bajo la condición de que se mantengan los niveles actuales de extracción de agua subterránea. Los resultados mostraron que existe un potencial para la extracción de agua subterránea en áreas de matorrales, pero para las áreas de pastizales la elevación de la capa freática mostró una tendencia descendente, lo que significa que la escasez de agua en algunas áreas puede ser más grave en el futuro. Finalmente, con base en el régimen actual de extracción de agua subterránea, se desarrollaron dos esquemas de regulación: (1) para matorral, la extracción de agua subterránea se redujo en un 10% en las áreas de déficit hídrico ecológico, y la extracción aumentó en un 10% en el excedente de agua ecológica, y (2) para pastizales, la recarga de agua subterránea se incrementó mediante la restauración de las áreas de humedales. En conclusión, las profundidades del agua subterránea en la mayor parte del área serían más adecuadas para el crecimiento de la vegetación bajo los esquemas de regulación.
摘要
大尺度地下水水位波动对植被保护和恢复具有显著的影响。本研究以中国华北地区天津市为例,确定出适合植被生长的适宜地下水水位,并分析地下水调控对植被恢复的影响。利用正态和对数正态分布拟合植被与地下水埋深关系曲线。将植被分布中较高频率所对应的地下水埋深作为适合植被生长的“适宜地下水埋深”范围。林地植被的适宜地下水位埋深为3–5 m,草地植被为1–3 m。利用地下水水流模型预测以现状开采条件下未来植被分布区内的地下水埋深变化情况。结果表明,林地分布区具有一定的可开采潜力,而草地分布区地下水位呈现下降趋势,意味着在该区域未来将更加缺水。最后,基于目前地下水开采状况,提出两种调控方案:(1)对于林地,将分布区中生态亏水区开采量减少10%,生态盈水区及生态适宜区开采量增加10%,(2)对于草地,通过恢复湿地增加地下水补给量。总体而言,在调控方案下该地区大部分地区地下水埋深将更适合于植被的生长。
Resumo
Flutuações em nível de água subterrânea em grande escala têm um efeito significativo na preservação e restauração da vegetação. Este estudo determinou a profundidade da água subterrânea dentro da qual a vegetação natural cresce bem, e analisou o efeito da regulação das águas subterrâneas na restauração da vegetação na cidade de Tianjin, norte da China. Distribuições normais e log-normais foram usadas para ajustar a curva da relação entre a vegetação e a profundidade da água subterrânea. A faixa de profundidade do lençol freático correspondente à maior frequência de distribuição da vegetação foi considerada como a faixa de “profundidade adequada da água” para o crescimento da vegetação. A profundidade do lençol freático adequada para o crescimento dos arbustos foi de 3–5 m e para o crescimento da grama de 1–3 m. Um modelo de fluxo de água subterrânea previu as mudanças futuras das profundidades de lençol freático na área de distribuição da vegetação sob a condição de que os níveis atuais de extração de água subterrânea sejam mantidos. Os resultados mostraram que há potencial para a extração de água subterrânea em áreas de bosque, mas para as áreas de pastagem a elevação do lençol freático mostrou uma tendência de queda, o que significa que a escassez de água em algumas áreas pode ser mais severa no futuro. Finalmente, com base no atual regime de extração de água subterrânea, dois esquemas de regulação foram desenvolvidos: (1) para bosques, a extração de água subterrânea foi reduzida em 10% nas áreas de déficit hídrico ecológico e a extração foi aumentada em 10% no excedente hídrico ecológico e áreas adequadas e (2) para as pastagens, a recarga das águas subterrâneas foi aumentada pela restauração das áreas alagadas. Concluindo, as profundidades da água subterrânea na maior parte da área seriam mais adequadas para o crescimento da vegetação sob os esquemas de regulação.
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Li, F., Wang, Y., Zhao, Y. et al. Modelling the response of vegetation restoration to changes in groundwater level, based on ecologically suitable groundwater depth. Hydrogeol J 26, 2189–2204 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1813-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1813-3