Assessing the hydrogeological resilience of a groundwater-dependent Mediterranean peatland: Impact of global change and role of water management strategies.

Abstract

Mediterranean peatlands remain largely under-documented, except for detailed biological data such as fauna and flora taxa lists, and yet are increasingly threatened by water withdrawal and agriculture practices. This lack of information, particularly on their hydrogeological functioning, makes it impossible to evaluate their response to changing climate conditions. A pilot study on a representative Mediterranean peatland on the island of Corsica (France) was conducted to evaluate recharge modalities in the peatland using a coupled water-level monitoring, geochemical and isotope multi-tracing approach (electric conductivity, major ions, δ18O, δ2H, 3H, 87Sr/86Sr). The goal was to understand how water budgets in peatland ecosystems were maintained throughout the year, especially during the summer. Despite the remarkable stability of the peatland water level, the recharge contributions of varied water bodies through an alluvial aquifer vary significantly from one season to another. An end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) indicates that the peatland is mainly recharged by an alluvial aquifer. During fall-winter, the alluvial aquifer on which the peatland depends is recharged by the rainfall, a river, and shallow groundwater (colluvium). During spring-summer, water supply is provided mostly by a river, shallow, and deep groundwater (fractured granite). However, this specific hydrogeological functioning is not taken into account by environmental management policies making peatlands vulnerable to anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Thus, their actual status regarding water and aquatic environment management policies is discussed to provide recommendations for better consideration and preservation.