Understanding and governing groundwater to reduce risk of hydrological extremes

The GroundedExtremes project will increase our understanding and management of groundwater,
with the aim to reduce the risk of hydrological extremes. We will investigate groundwater processes
with a focus on drought development and recovery (including the effect of wet extremes before or
after the drought) and the potential for improved groundwater management as a powerful
adaptation strategy to both droughts and floods, without unintended consequences to other risks
and sectors. Specifically, the project aims to investigate: 1) how groundwater extremes develop and
recover as a result of complex and interacting physical and anthropogenic processes under global
change, 2) what the effects are of drought adaptation measures related to groundwater and what
potential side-effects on flood risk and other sectors may emerge, and 3) what different
groundwater-related risk governance structures exist and how these can be improved. Our
comparative case study analysis in four contrasting regions in Europe with different physical and
societal contexts supports co-learning and creates transnational value. We work with stakeholder
organisations to understand future pathways that avoid unintended consequences and feedbacks between droughts and floods and between sectors. The GroundedExtremes project addresses the
core topics and themes of this call. It focuses on Topic 1 “Resilience, adaptation and mitigation to
hydroclimatic extreme events” and Topic 3 “Improved water governance in the context of
hydroclimatic extreme events and international contexts”. We are addressing important knowledge
gaps in relation to drivers of groundwater drought; develop innovative adaptation strategies to cope
with floods and droughts by making optimal use of groundwater; and robust groundwater
governance models that clarify responsibilities and avoid conflict.