The Cultural Ecohydrogeology of Mediterranean-Climate Springs: A Global Review with Case Studies

Roger Pascual; Lucia Piana; Sami Ullah Bhat; Pedro Fidel Castro; Jordi Corbera; Dion Cummings; Cristina Delgado Núñez; Eugene Eades; Roderick J. Fensham; Marcos Fernández-Martínez; Verónica Ferreira; Maria Filippini; Guillermo García; Alessandro Gargini; Stephen D. Hopper; Lynette Knapp; Ian D. Lewis; Josep Peñuelas; Catherine Preece; Vincent H. Resh; Estela Romero; Boudjéma Samraoui; Farrah Samraoui; Stefano Segadelli; Hallie Seiler; Nikolaos Th. Skoulikidis; Cüneyt N. Solak; Jaume Solé Herce; Karen G. Villholth; Huma Khurshid Wani; Marco Cantonati; Lawrence E. Stevens

doi:10.20944/preprints202401.1035.v1

Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 12 January 2024 / Approved: 12 January 2024 / Online: 12 January 2024 (15:10:03 CET)

Cultures in Mediterranean climate zones (MCZs) around the world have long been reliant on groundwater and springs as freshwater sources. While their ecology and cultural sustainability are recognized as critically important, inter-relationships between springs and culture in MCZs has received little attention. Here we augmented a global literature review with case studies in MCZ cultural landscapes to examine the intensity of cultural and socio-economic impacts on springs ecohydrogeology. MCZs are often oriented on the west and southern coasts in tectonically active landscapes, which control aquifer structure, the prevalence of westerly winds, and aridity, and generally expose associated habitats to harsh, afternoon sunlight. Cultural appreciation and appropriation of springs ranges widely, from their use as subsitence supplies to profound traditions, such as Greco-Roman nymphs, and Asian and Abrahamic spiritual cleansing and baptism. Commoditization of water resources for agriculture, industry (e.g., mining, water bottling, geothermal resorts), and urban needs is placing ever-increasing, non-sustainable demands on aquifers and springs. When economic values approach or exceed cultural values, these irreplaceable aquatic resources are degraded and lost. Sustainable stewardship of springs and the aquifers that support them are a little-recognized, but central conservation challenge for modern society facing global climate changes.

cultural anthropology; ecology; global review; history; hydrogeology; socio-economics; springs; water resources.

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

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The Cultural Ecohydrogeology of Mediterranean-Climate Springs: A Global Review with Case Studies

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