Climate–groundwater interactions form a complex, coupled system that affects land-atmosphere feedback processes and thus local climatic parameters. This climate–groundwater interaction might be uni-or bidirectional (two-way) depending on climate and soil characteristics. In areas with bidirectional coupling, groundwater is not only influenced by climatic factors (e.g. precipitation) but can also contribute to the climate by various feedback from groundwater-subsurface interactions, including impacts on evaporation, soil moisture, and vegetation. These feedbacks become more important in the face of climate change and climate variability, which can significantly impact the local urban climate. 

In this project, we focus on understanding the various processes affecting groundwater-climate interactions. We primarily focus on groundwater feedback depending on soil characteristics under changing climate conditions. We analyze the mode of coupling between groundwater and climate for the city of Hamburg, highlighting areas with a connected two-way interaction. This research provides insights into the groundwater-climate interactions under various climatic conditions and soil textures which could contribute to sustainable land-use management practices, particularly in regions characterized by bidirectional coupling.

This project is a part of the Cluster of Excellence “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS), which aims to establish a long-term program spanning the range from basic research on climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics to the transdisciplinary exploration of human–environment interactions.