- A new online tool estimates how much groundwater ecosystems may use.
- The tool focuses on Nevada’s arid climate and varied landscapes.
- Results are designed for planning, not regulation or permitting.
- Managers can explore how climate, soils, and water depth interact.
Friday, January 30, 2026 — Groundwater-dependent ecosystems, often called GDEs, are natural systems that rely on groundwater to survive. In Nevada, these include meadows, wetlands, rivers, springs, and some shrublands and forests. Because Nevada is one of the driest states in the nation, these ecosystems are especially sensitive to changes in groundwater levels caused by drought, rising temperatures, and human water use.
When groundwater levels decline, plants may no longer be able to reach water with their roots. That loss can ripple outward, affecting wildlife habitat, water quality, local economies, and community water supplies.
A New Planning Tool for Nevada.
On January 27, 2026, the Desert Research Institute wrote on Phys.org
that The Nature Conservancy in Nevada, the Desert Research Institute, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison released a new online resource called the Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer Tool. The tool is designed to help land and water managers better understand how groundwater supports ecosystems and how those ecosystems might respond if groundwater levels change.
Laurel Saito, Water Strategy Director for The Nature Conservancy in Nevada, said groundwater is essential for both ecosystems and communities, and that understanding how to manage and protect it is critical for a sustainable future.
How the Tool Works.
The tool allows users to select a location anywhere in Nevada and then adjust factors such as soil texture, climate conditions, rooting depth, and groundwater depth. Using these inputs, the model estimates how much water a hypothetical groundwater-dependent ecosystem would need under those conditions.
Users can explore:
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Soil texture, which affects how water moves and is stored in the ground.
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Average annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, based on climate data from 1991 to 2020.
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Rooting depth, recognizing that grasses, meadows, and shrubs reach groundwater at different depths.
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Leaf area index, which reflects vegetation density and ecosystem health.
From these inputs, the tool estimates actual evapotranspiration and the portion of that water coming directly from groundwater.
Groundwater Use and Ecosystem Stress.
One key output is the groundwater component of evapotranspiration. This represents how much water plants are drawing directly from groundwater. Another output is the groundwater subsidy, which reflects the extra water plants can access when groundwater is shallow enough to reduce stress on vegetation.
Steven Loheide, Professor of Water Resources Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, explained that ecohydrology looks at how ecosystems and water resources influence each other. Quantifying those two-way interactions is necessary to manage either one effectively.
Nevada’s Diverse Landscapes.
Nevada’s terrain ranges from cool, wet mountain environments to some of the hottest and driest deserts in North America. Christine Albano, Associate Research Professor at the Desert Research Institute, noted that groundwater-dependent ecosystems behave very differently across this range. The goal of the tool is to quantify those differences so planners can better understand local conditions.
Until now, managers had limited ways to quickly estimate how much groundwater ecosystems might use or how sensitive they are to declining water levels. That gap made long-term planning more difficult, especially under changing climate conditions.
Applications for Water Management.
State and local agencies see the tool as a planning aid. Chantal Iosso of the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage said it helps estimate water needed to support species and ecosystems and assess how they might be affected by future changes in precipitation and temperature.
Christian Kropf, principal hydrologist at Truckee Meadows Water Authority, said the estimates could be incorporated into broader water sustainability models. The Nevada Division of Water Resources also expects the tool to support improved groundwater management statewide.
Important Limits and Disclaimers.
The developers emphasize that the tool models hypothetical ecosystems. Many locations in Nevada do not actually contain groundwater-dependent ecosystems, and the tool does not confirm whether a GDE exists at a specific site. Results are estimates based on simplified models and may differ from real-world conditions.
The dataset is non-regulatory and is not intended for permitting, legal decisions, or enforcement. It does not replace field surveys or agency consultation and carries no legal authority.
Looking Ahead.
As groundwater pressures increase across the West, tools like the Nevada GDE Water Needs Explorer may help managers visualize tradeoffs and risks before problems become irreversible. While it does not provide definitive answers, it offers a clearer starting point for conversations about how groundwater supports both ecosystems and communities in an increasingly water-limited future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a groundwater-dependent ecosystem?
It is a natural system that relies on groundwater, rather than only rainfall or surface water, to survive.
Does the tool show where groundwater-dependent ecosystems exist?
No. It estimates how a hypothetical ecosystem would behave if it existed at a selected location.
Is the tool used for regulation or permitting?
No. It is a non-regulatory planning and educational tool.
What time period does the climate data cover?
Most climate estimates are based on data from 1991 through 2020.
Who developed the tool?
It was developed by The Nature Conservancy in Nevada, the Desert Research Institute, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Can the results be used to make legal water decisions?
No. The results are not legally binding and do not replace field studies or agency review.
