Using stable isotopes to inform water resource management in forested and agricultural ecosystems

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121381
• Publication Date: 2024-06-24T09:59:30Z
• Authors: Francesca Scandel...; Taha Attou; Adrià Barbeta; Fabian Bernhard; Concetta D’Amato; Katya Dimitrova-P...; Amanda Donaldson; Oludare Durodola; Stefano Ferraris; Marius G. Floriancic; Gabriela Fontenla...; Malkin Gerchow; Qiong Han; Isis Khalil; James W. Kirchner; Kathrin Kühnhammer; Qin Liu; Pilar Llorens; Ruth-Kristina Magh; John Marshall; Katrin Meusburger; Aline Meyer Oliveira; Lyssette Muñoz-Vi...; Sabrina Santos Pires; Diego Todini-Zicavo; Ilja van Meerveld; Claudia Voigt; Luise Wirsig; Matthias Beyer; Josie Geris; Luisa Hopp; Daniele Penna; Matthias Sprenger
• Keywords: Water cycle; Water storage; Water use

Present and future climatic trends are expected to markedly alter water fluxes stores in the hydrologic cycle.In addition, demand continues grow due increased human use a growing population.Sustainably managing resources requires thorough understanding of storage flow natural, agricultural, urban ecosystems.Measurements stable isotopes (hydrogen oxygen) cycle (atmosphere, soils, plants, surface water, groundwater) can provide information on transport pathways, sourcing, dynamics, ages, pools that is difficult obtain with other techniques.However, potential these techniques for practical questions has not been fully exploited yet.Here, we outline benefits limitations applications isotope methods useful managers, farmers, stakeholders.We also describe several case studies demonstrating how support management decision-making.Finally, propose workflow guides users through sequence decisions required apply examples issues.We call ongoing dialogue stronger connection between stakeholders practitioners identify most pressing issues develop best-practice guidelines techniques.