Climate change is expected to modify the hydrological cycle and affect freshwater resources. Groundwater is a critical source of fresh drinking water for almost half of the world’s population and also supplies irrigated agriculture. Groundwater is also important in sustaining streams, lakes, wetlands, and associated ecosystems. Despite this, knowledge of the impact of climate change on groundwater quantity and quality is limited. Direct impacts of climate change on natural processes may be exacerbated by human activities (indirect impacts). Climate change effects on groundwater resources are, therefore, closely linked to other global change drivers, including population growth, urbanization and land-use change, coupled with socio-economic and political trends. Groundwater response to global changes is a complex function that depends on climate change and variability, aquifer characteristics, vegetation dynamics, and human activities. This volume contains case studies from diverse aquifer systems, scientific methods, and climatic settings that have been conducted in the UNESCO-IHP GRAPHIC project. This book presents a synthesis of scientific findings from the case studies and policy recommendations for scientists, water managers and policy makers towards adaptive management of groundwater under future climate change.

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