Articles | Volume 30, issue 16
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5215-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-5215-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
19 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 19 Aug 2026
| 19 Aug 2026
Progressive groundwater decoupling may drive a shift toward shallower and faster terrestrial water cycling
Aoqi Sun
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
Wenjie Xu
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
Enze Ma
College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
Hua Yuan
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
Chen Yang
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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Zipper, S., Brookfield, A., Ajami, H., Ayers, J. R., Beightel, C., Fienen, M. N., Gleeson, T., Hammond, J., Hill, M., Kendall, A. D., Kerr, B., Lapides, D., Porter, M., Parimalarenganayaki, S., Rohde, M. M., and Wardropper, C.: Streamflow Depletion Caused by Groundwater Pumping: Fundamental Research Priorities for Management-Relevant Science, Water Resour. Res., 60, e2023WR035727, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035727, 2024.
Short summary
Groundwater is often viewed as a hidden reserve that supports evapotranspiration and streamflow during dry periods. We show that sustained warming and greening can weaken this buffering role. As groundwater levels decline, links between shallow and deeper stores reorganize, reducing older groundwater inputs to streams and evapotranspiration. Over time, water cycling shifts toward shallower, faster pathways, potentially lowering system resilience and predictability under long-term climate stress.
Groundwater is often viewed as a hidden reserve that supports evapotranspiration and streamflow...
