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Does Groundwater Abstraction Cause Degradation of Rivers and Wetlands?
Author(s) -
Acreman M. C.,
Adams B.,
Birchall P.,
Connorton B.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.2000.tb00250.x
Subject(s) - wetland , abstraction , groundwater , environmental science , sedimentation , degradation (telecommunications) , water resource management , hydrology (agriculture) , land degradation , perspective (graphical) , land use , environmental resource management , computer science , ecology , geology , civil engineering , sediment , engineering , geotechnical engineering , paleontology , philosophy , telecommunications , epistemology , artificial intelligence , biology
There is a widely held belief that, over the last few decades, many rivers and wetlands have been significantly degraded. Clearly, groundwater abstraction has had a detrimental effect. However, other pressures such as channelisation, sedimentation, reduced rainfall, poor site management or land‐use change can be contributing factors. Various policy responses are reviewed and some examples are given. It is concluded that, whilst groundwater abstraction does cause river and wetland degradation, the degree of degradation often depends upon the individual perspective; therefore a rigorous approach is required in quantifying such degradation and its actual causes, beginning with the establishment of clear objectives and the collection of appropriate data.