Integrated Groundwater Management

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This book documents the dimensions and requirements of effective integrated groundwater management (IGM) for the first time. Groundwater management poses significant challenges and is a critical priority for humanity, as it is increasingly viewed as a non-renewable resource that faces overexploitation globally. The focus has shifted from merely obtaining water to managing it sustainably for future generations, economies, and ecosystems. Understanding the current state of groundwater resources and restoring at-risk aquifers is essential. Effective groundwater management involves various interrelated factors beyond the aquifer itself, including surface water, water use, quality, and ecohydrology. While scientific insights define the limits of what is achievable, successful IGM requires engaging a broader community of stakeholders to develop policies and socioeconomic tools. The book covers key aspects of IGM, including an international overview of groundwater management dimensions, the scale of global groundwater issues and their connections to energy and climate change, governance principles and instruments, biophysical constraints, and the role of hydroecological and hydrogeological science. It also discusses necessary tools like models, data infrastructures, and decision support systems. Examples of both successful and failed IGM are provided, emphasizing the importance of the socioeconomic context that underpins effective ma