Groundwater in fractured granite: implications for tropical dry forest development and water sustainability

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-2024-3117
• Publication Date: 2024-10-17T04:39:08Z
• Authors: Landy Carolina Or...; Marcos Adrián Ort...; Manuel Maass; Horacio Paz
• Keywords: Tropical forest

Abstract. Seasonality is one of the most important features Tropical Dry Forests (TDFs), then water scarcity must be overcome by perennial sources dependent groundwater flows. Groundwater recharge processes in TDFs are controlled (i) seasonal dynamics components cycle through their interaction with soil and underlying geological environment, (ii) phenological rhythms vegetation that simultaneously influence infiltration evapotranspiration. The daily hydrological a TDF grow atop fractured granite thin layer sandy were studied three basins subject to conservation Pacific coast southern Jalisco, Mexico along 2019–2020 year. Automated climatological streamflow instrumentation was used obtain data for detailed analysis rain-streamflow response new instruments placed measure interception moisture. Results show annual precipitation 1.179 mm (above average 832 mm) distributed 80 highly variable events. stage accumulation litter strongly influenced interception. Thin soils (~ 0.30 m) rapid 85 98 % reached ground seasons, reducing effect evapotranspiration percolation, aided fact events nocturnal. showed discharge streams represented up 70 percolation volume remaining 30 correspond flow temporary storage medium. These two may explain zonation subtypes vegetation, phenology survival dry months. deciduous tropical forest (DTF) study area developed zones, while sub-deciduous (SDTF) emerged where values 0.140 d-1 obtained from diurnal variations base flow. Analyses highlight importance medium its saturation, residence times made available ecosystem during periods. Improving our understanding these will help guide sustainability provision services anthropogenic activities region vulnerability periods climate change.