Program 4: Groundwater-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interactions (GVI)

Building knowledge on the relationship between groundwater and vegetation and how this might be affected by climate change and low rainfall is a key focus of Program Four.

While scientists have a reasonable understanding of how much water a single tree may draw from the ground, the groundwater needs of vegetation over an entire catchment is largely unexplored. A changing climate has introduced another significant unknown into the mix. Current knowledge of how climate change will affect groundwater levels is extremely poor. Modelling needs to take into account multiple variables such as rainfall frequency and intensity, evaporation, plant growth and human use.

Another aim of the research program will be to estimate how much groundwater disappears through evapotranspiration - water loss involving evaporation from soil and plants.

To find answers the scientists will be using a range of completely different techniques from sapflow devices that measure tree water use, to remote sensing using satellites and airborne sensors. Research teams will also be investigating how groundwater-dependent vegetation responds to a decline in the watertable and will develop rules to assist with future analysis.

Sub-program 4A: Regional groundwater discharge through evapotranspiration

Sub-program 4B: Impact of watertable decline on groundwater dependent vegetation (GDV)

Sub-program 4C: Effect of climate change on GVI and groundwater recharge and discharge

Download the Program 4 outline .

Leader

Professor David Lockington, UQ

For enquiries about Program 4, email David Lockington

Chief and Partner Investigators

• Dr Edoardo Daly, Monash
• Professor Derek Eamus, UTS
• Dr Huade Guan, Flinders
• Associate Professor John Webb, La Trobe