Groundwater Governance and Resource Management
Summary
Groundwater governance and resource management encompass the legal, institutional and technical measures required to ensure the sustainable use of subsurface freshwater. As an often invisible resource, groundwater supports irrigation, domestic supply, industry and ecosystem health across diverse hydrogeological settings. Governance frameworks range from permit-based allocation systems and community-managed schemes to adaptive policy regimes that integrate scientific data, stakeholder input and economic instruments. Core challenges include addressing transboundary aquifer disputes, balancing abstraction with natural recharge, protecting water quality and adapting to climate variability. Effective management relies upon robust monitoring networks, decision-support tools and participatory approaches that empower local users, foster equitable access and promote resilient water-use practices. Innovations such as managed aquifer recharge, remote sensing of water tables and integrated modelling are increasingly deployed to support evidence-based decision making and to bridge gaps between science, policy and practice.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Groundwater Governance and Resource Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in groundwater governance and resource management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Aquifer: A geological formation of permeable rock, sediment or soil that stores and transmits groundwater.
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR): The deliberate enhancement of groundwater supplies by directing excess surface water or treated wastewater into aquifers.
Transdisciplinary approach: A collaborative research strategy that integrates natural sciences, social sciences and stakeholder knowledge to address complex groundwater challenges.
References
- Uberizing Agriculture in Drylands: A Few Enriched, Everyone Endangered. Water Resources Management (2023).
- Invisible water: the importance of good groundwater governance and management. npj Clean Water (2018).
- Modes and Approaches of Groundwater Governance: A Survey of Lessons Learned from Selected Cases across the Globe. Water (2016).
- Groundwater Governance: The Role of Legal Frameworks at the Local and National Level—Established Practice and Emerging Trends. Water (2016).
- Assessing the Role of Water Resources Protection Practice for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Review. Water (2022).
- Water Resources in Jordan: A Review of Current Challenges and Future Opportunities. Water (2023).
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