Abstract
Climate change projections point towards dryer summers. This will lead to a higher demand for water production. The aim of this research is to investigate the impact of drainage on the (water) regulating functions of upstream depressional wetlands (UDWs). We hypothesize that undrained UDWs are particularly important for groundwater recharge. Typically, undrained UDWs respond quickly to both wet and dry periods. They inundate only following periods of rainfall surplus, but their water levels also gradually drop when there is a rainfall deficit. I want to investigate how much water they can buffer and where that water ends up. First, I will use geographic datasets to map the potential occurrence and status UDWs in the Campine region. After conducting field surveys, I will select two well-drained sites and two poorly drained sites which will be intensively monitored during two years. This monitoring data will allow me to make a detailed and rigorous assessment of the regulating services that are affected by drainage management, such as climate regulation and water purification. To make this as tangible as possible to stakeholders, I will use the models to quantify the "deferred infiltration" that took place at these sites preceding major drought episodes. To evaluate the strategic importance of my research, I will assess restoration scenarios for UDWs at the scale of the Campine Region. Finally, I will disseminate my findings to the water sector and initiate follow-up projects.
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