Water Wheel Nov/Dec 2025: Groundwater-Dependent

Abstract

ECOSYSTEMS Cover story AI and satellites unlock secrets of Kruger’s hidden water lifelines The Kruger National Park’s ephemeral river drainage systems, or seasonal rivers, play a vital role in its biodiversity. These rivers only flow during the rainy season, drying up during the drier months. Although their existence is temporary, they have a significant impact on the landscape. During the rainy season, their waters carve out channels, deposit nutrient-rich sediments, and recharge underground water sources. The interaction between ephemeral rivers, groundwater, and soil moisture is crucial for understanding the link between hydrology and groundwater-dependent ecosystems and for ensuring informed water management in the park. However, studying these ecosystems is challenging because of the park’s vast size, its highly dynamic hydrological processes, and the limited availability of data. These factors make it difficult to fully grasp how water moves through the landscape and sustains the diverse life dependent on it.

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