Inicio  /  Water  /  Vol: 12 Par: 6 (2020)  /  Artículo
ARTÍCULO
TITULO

The Ecosystem Resilience Concept Applied to Hydrogeological Systems: A General Approach

África de la Hera-Portillo    
Julio López-Gutiérrez    
Pedro Zorrilla-Miras    
Beatriz Mayor and Elena López-Gunn    

Resumen

We have witnessed the great changes that hydrogeological systems are facing in the last decades: rivers that have dried up; wetlands that have disappeared, leaving their buckets converted into farmland; and aquifers that have been intensively exploited for years, among others. Humans have caused the most part of these results that can be worsened by climate change, with delayed effects on groundwater quantity and quality. The consequences are negatively impacting ecosystems and dependent societies. The concept of resilience has not been extensively used in the hydrogeological research, and it can be a very useful concept that can improve the understanding and management of these systems. The aim of this work is to briefly discuss the role of resilience in the context of freshwater systems affected by either climate or anthropic actions as a way to increase our understanding of how anticipating negative changes (transitions) may contribute to improving the management of the system and preserving the services that it provides. First, the article presents the basic concepts applied to hydrogeological systems from the ecosystem?s resilience approach. Second, the factors controlling for hydrogeological systems? responses to different impacts are commented upon. Third, a case study is analyzed and discussed. Finally, the useful implications of the concept are discussed.