Under the trees: Quantifying invisible changes in wetland water availability worldwide

Wetlands are vital ecosystems for the functioning of the Earth system. They are also necessary to achieve sustainable development. Water availability determines if wetlands can thrive and if they can deliver services to humans. Yet, water changes in wetlands are mostly hidden from the human eye. The water surface is covered by thick vegetation, impairing its remote detection from space.

With already 70% of wetlands lost since 1900 AD, the Grand Challenge addressed here is resolving climate and human effects on global wetland water availability.

I propose a state-of-the-art approach based on hydrology, hydroclimatology and remote sensing to track and attribute water changes from space in 14 large wetlands of international importance.

I aim to address a critical question: Are human activities driving these changes significantly more than climate variability?The project will 1) Develop a new methodology based on current and future space missions to track hidden changes in wetland water level, extent, storage, and connectivity, 2) Untangle the links between the human and climate drivers of change and their hydrological responses, and 3) Explore the existence of climate feedbacks driving persistent changes in wetland water availability.

The project will elucidate the current state of water in wetlands, how they respond to human and climate threats, and help plan for their conservation, restoration, adaptation, and sustainable use.