Methodology for identifying groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDE) and allowing the groundwater status assessment accordingly in Sardinia.

Cristina Buttau

First

;Stefania Da Pelo

;Antonio Funedda;Maria Teresa Melis;Claudio Arras;Mario Lorrai;Maurizio Testa;Paolo Botti

2021-01-01

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Abstract

The Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC) aims to establish a framework for protecting waters. Among the WFD’s objectives, the achievement of a good groundwater status is required, including a good groundwater quantitative and chemical status. The ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater (terrestrial and aquatic GWDE) can affect the status of a groundwater body (GWB), where is causing significant damage to the GDE. In the framework of updating the River basin management plan of Sardinia, a methodological approach for identifying (SWBs) and terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent from GWB has been proposed. In the first step, a priority has been assigned to the SWBs with a “not good” status or being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set for each body under Article 4 according to their characterization (PdG, 2016). Springs and low-lying coastal areas were considered as potential terrestrial ecosystems in Sardinia, as internal wetlands are usually temporary and feed by rain (Bagella et al., 2010). The GIS-based methodology envisages a cross-referencing procedure of various thematisms, according to the following work-flow: 1- Identify fresh perennial, intermittent and ephemeral and transitional SWB according to their “not good” status or being at risk of failing to meet the objectives set for each body under Article 4 (PdG, 2016). 2- Select springs 3- Use the Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), and Special Areas of Conservation, SACs; 4- Use the Nature map (Camarda et al, 2015) to identify the Ecological data; 5- Select the groundwater (GW) with poor quantitative status. 6- Establish whether a connection between GWB and SWB occurs on the base of the hydrogeological information. According to the schema, the potential GDE will be identified. Remotely satellite acquired data, morphometric and geological data, and field surveys will mainly support the identification, particularly where hydrogeological information is missing.