Indicator metrics and temporal aggregations introduce ambiguities in water scarcity estimates.

ABSTRACT: Water scarcity is a global challenge affecting billions of people worldwide. This study systematically assesses differences in the estimation of the global population exposed to water scarcity based on 7 water scarcity indicators and 11 Environmental Flow Requirements (EFR) evaluated at various spatial and temporal resolutions. All indicators show an increase in water scarcity since 1901. However, considering monthly average water scarcity estimates spatially aggregated at the basin scale found 35% less population exposed than estimates based on a distributed grid over the landscape. Estimates temporally disaggregated to consider water scarcity for at least one month a year found 50% (tenfold) larger population exposed compared to average monthly (annual) estimates. The study illustrates t

SUBMITTER: Wolkeba FT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11219772 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature