Water Security Assessment in the Typical Ecosystems of the Ghataprabha River Basin

Abstract

Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of freshwater ecosystems of a basin is crucial for effective water management strategies. Freshwater resources management within a basin can be significantly enhanced by assessing the spatiotemporal variability of water security indicators and applying the conceptual framework of blue and green water footprints. The current study attempts to assess the water security in the Ghataprabha River Basin (GRB), India, at both watershed and ecosystem scales. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) was implemented to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution and availability of blue and green water resources in the basin. Both anthropogenic and environmental demands were considered to assess water security using scarcity and vulnerability indices. The results indicated higher blue and green water in the upstream subbasins receiving higher precipitation amounts. Further, areas with water bodies and forest cover exhibited greater green water. Agricultural land showed higher amounts of blue and green water compared to forest lands in the basin. Midstream and downstream regions associated with intense agricultural practices were found vulnerable to water scarcity in the GRB. Understanding the spatial dynamics of green and blue water security enables the identification of critical hotspots within the basin due to various human activities. This knowledge can inform and facilitate sustainable water resource management strategies.