Aquifer-wetland connections : natural processes and anthropogenic impacts

更好地了解湿地-含水层的相互作用及其如何应对人为和气候压力，是加强水管理和保持近地表水库长期复原力的关键之一。这项研究计划的长期目标是加强对含水层-湿地联系的了解，以便确定导致湿地发生重大和不可逆转变化的水文触发因素。其目标是：(1)确定在地方和区域尺度上导致含水层-湿地相互作用的参数和过程，(2)量化人为压力和气候变化对湿地的影响。在主题I中，将通过实地测量影响和反映水流条件的参数和变量来更全面地了解含水层-湿地交换机制。将建立一个大型湿地网络，以收集加拿大南部典型水文地质环境(河岸和孤立的湿地、地下水供应的泥炭地)的综合数据集。将通过联合使用天然水示踪剂，开发一种限制含水层-湿地交换过程的新方法。简单的2D模拟将被用来推断湿地在区域尺度上的作用。在主题II中，将量化水文压力对含水层-湿地相互作用的影响。这涉及通过对完全耦合的地表-地下水流动模型进行全球敏感性分析来确定控制含水层-湿地交换的过程。该模型还将被用来确定导致湿地主要水文变化的触发因素。将开发一个简单的水平衡模型，并确定水生态关系。这项研究计划有可能极大地改变地下水和湿地共同管理的方式，并有助于维持它们的长期弹性。它将为理解水文学和关键生态过程之间的联系设定一个基线。这项研究计划的影响还包括HQP的形成(1名PDF、3名博士、3名硕士和2名理科学生)。

A better understanding of wetland-aquifer interactions and how they respond to anthropogenic and climate stresses is one of the keys for enhancing water management and for the long term resilience of near-surface water reservoirs. The long-term goal of this research program is to enhance knowledge of aquifer-wetland connections in order to identify the hydrological triggers that set major and irreversible changes in wetlands. Its objectives to: (1) identify parameters and processes responsible for aquifer-wetland interactions at the local and regional scales and (2) quantify the impact of anthropogenic pressure and climate change on wetlands. In Theme I, a more complete understanding of aquifer-wetland exchange mechanisms will be achieved through field measurements of parameters and variables affecting and reflecting flow conditions. A large wetland network will be built to collect integrated data sets in locations typical of the hydrogeologic settings found in southern Canada environments (riparian and isolated wetlands, groundwater-fed peatlands). A novel approach to constrain aquifer-wetland exchange processes will be developed through the combined use of natural water tracers. Simple 2D simulations will be used to extrapolate the role of wetlands at the regional scale. In Theme II, the impact of hydrological stresses on aquifer-wetland interactions will be quantified. This involves identifying the processes controlling aquifer-wetland exchanges through a global sensitivity analysis of a fully-coupled surface-groundwater flow model. This model will also be used to identify the triggers that set major hydrologicall changes in wetlands. A simple water budget model will be developed and hydro-ecological relationships will be identified. This research program has the potential to drastically change the way groundwater and wetlands are managed together and help sustain their long term resilience. It will set a baseline for the understanding of the linkage between hydrology and key ecological processes. The impact of this research program also includes the formation of HQP (1 PDF, 3 PhD, 3 MSc and 2 BSc students).