Conservation of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

Groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are natural habitats that rely on groundwater for their water supply and play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity. These ecosystems include wetlands, riparian zones, and various vegetation types that are sustained by the presence of groundwater. In California, local groundwater sustainability agencies are also tasked with identifying and developing conservation plans for GDEs.

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My work includes:

• Used aerial imagery to identify and map the extent of potential GDEs in the areas of interest using ArcGIS.

• Examined historical trends in Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) to analyze the correlation of GDE health with groundwater levels.

• Developed and wrote the conservation strategy for these ecosystems based on the above analysis.