Conditional simulation of USLE/RUSLE soil erodibility factor by geostatistics in a Mediterranean Catchment,Turkey

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that threatens the sustainability and productivity of agricultural areas. Assessment and mapping of soil erosion are extremely important in the management and conservation of natural resources. The universal soil loss equation (USLE/RUSLE) is an erosion model that predicts soil loss as a function of soil erodibility (K-factor), as well as topographic, rainfall, cover, and management factors. The traditional approach assumes that one soil erodibility value represents the entire area of each soil series. Therefore, that approach does not account for spatial variability of soil series. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of the sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) for mapping soil erodibility factor of the USLE/RUSLE methodology. Five hundred and forty-four surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from the study area to determine the soil erodibility. A simulation procedure was carried out on 300 realizations, and histogram and semivariogram of the simulation were compared to the observed values. The results showed that the summary statistics, histogram, and semivariogram of the simulation results were close to the observed values. In contrary to the traditional approach and kriging, 95% confidence interval of the simulated realizations was formed in order to determine uncertainty standard deviation map, and the uncertainty was explained numerically. The SGS produced a more reliable soil erodibility map and it can be more successfully used for monitoring and improving effective strategies to prevent erosion hazards especially to improve site specific management plans.     

The true sample catchment basin approach in the analysis of stream sediment geochemical data

The Sample Catchment Basin Approach (SCBA) is one of the techniques widely employed in the analysis of stream sediment geochemical data and delineation of anomalous catchments. However, this method fails to take into account the real catchment basin boundaries of each sample by incorporating only the incremental area between two adjacent samples. In other words, the SCBA incorrectly assumes that the geochemistry of every sample catchment within a drainage is independent from upstream sample catchment(s) feeding into this drainage. The chemical composition of sediment at the basin outlet originates from the whole basin upstream and not the incremental area as postulated in the SCBA. Consequently, the calculated background values for various lithologies and the background value for the element of interest at the basin outlet might be far from reality.This study used a True Sample Catchment Basin Approach (TSCBA), that reflects the true catchment boundary of every stream sediment sample, and in which all calculations are carried out on the premise that this boundary and the true area affect the composition of each sample. The results obtained from the application of both the SCBA and TSCBA to a gold endowed study area in western Iran clearly illustrated the superiority of the TSCBA over the SCBA. In addition, this study demonstrated the advantage of using the modified dilution correction equation of Mokhtari and Garousi Nezhad (2015), as compared to the existing Hawkes’s equation commonly used for dilution correction of residual values.     

Estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE in a GIS framework: a case study in the Buyukcekmece Lake watershed,northwest Turkey

This study was aimed at predicting soil erosion risk in the Buyukcekmece Lake watershed located in the western part of Istanbul, Turkey, by using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model in a GIS framework. The factors used in RUSLE were computed by using different data obtained or produced from meteorological station, soil surveys, topographic maps, and satellite images. The RUSLE factors were represented by raster layers in a GIS environment and then multiplied together to estimate the soil erosion rate in the study area using spatial analyst tool of ArcGIS 9.3. In the study, soil loss rate below 1 t/ha/year was defined as low erosion, while those >10 t/ha/year were defined as severe erosion. The values between low and severe erosion were further classified as slight, moderate, and high erosion areas. The study provided a reliable prediction of soil erosion rates and delineation of erosion-prone areas within the watershed. As the study revealed, soil erosion risk is low in more than half of the study area (54%) with soil loss <1 t/ha/year. Around one-fifth of the study area (19%) has slight erosion risk with values between 1 and 3 t/ha/year. Only 11% of the study area was found to be under high erosion risk with soil loss between 5 and 10 t/ha/year. The severe erosion risk is seen only in 5% of the study area with soil loss more than 10 t/ha/year. As the study revealed, nearly half of the Buyukcekmece Lake watershed requires implementation of effective soil conservation measures to reduce soil erosion risk.     

Application of the water balance model J2000 to estimate groundwater recharge in a semi-arid environment: a case study in the Zarqa River catchment, NW-Jordan

Pollution and overexploitation of scarce groundwater resources is a serious problem in the Zarqa River catchment, Jordan. To estimate this resource’s potential, the amount and spatial distribution of groundwater recharge was calculated by applying the hydrological model J2000. The simulation period is composed of daily values gathered over a 30-year period (July 1977 to June 2007). The figure finally obtained for estimated groundwater recharge of the Zarqa River catchment is 105 × 10⁶ m³ per year (21 mm a^?1). This is 19 % higher than the value previously assumed to be correct by most Jordanian authorities. The average ratio of precipitation to groundwater recharge is 9.5 %. To directly validate modelled groundwater recharge, two independent methods were applied in spring catchments: (1) alteration of stable isotope signatures (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) between precipitation and groundwater and (2) the chloride mass balance method. Recharge rates determined by isotopic investigations are 25 % higher, and recharge rates determined by chloride mass balance are 9 % higher than the modelled results for the corresponding headwater catchments. This suggests a reasonably modelled safe yield estimation of groundwater resources.     

An integrated GIS and hydrochemical approach to assess groundwater contamination in West Ismailia area, Egypt

Groundwater is a very important resource across Ismailia area as it is used in domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. This makes it absolutely necessary that the effects of land use change on groundwater resources are considered when making land use decisions. Careful monitoring of groundwater resource helps minimize the contamination of this resource. This study developed a GIS-based model to assess groundwater contamination in the West Ismailia area based on its hydrochemical characteristics. The model incorporated five different factors which are standardized to a common evaluation scale. The produced factor maps include the depth to the water table, the potential recharge, the soil type, the topography, and the thickness of saturation. These maps are combined in ERDAS Imagine, ARC INFO, and ARC GIS software using geostatistics and a weighted overlay process to produce the final groundwater potential risk map. The model output is then used to determine the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination by domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources. The produced risk maps are then combined with the groundwater contamination potentiality map using an arithmetic overlay in order to identify areas which were vulnerable to contamination. The results of this study revealed that the groundwater is highly vulnerable to contamination that may result from the inappropriate application of agrichemicals and domestic and industrial activities. The produced integrated potential contamination maps are very useful tools for a decision maker concerned with groundwater protection and development.     

Modeling erosion and sediment control practices with RUSLE 2.0: a management approach for natural gas well sites in Denton County,TX, USA

Sediment yields from natural gas well sites in Denton County, TX, USA can be substantial and warrant consideration of appropriate erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs). Version 2 of the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE 2.0) was used to predict sediment yields and evaluate the efficiency of BMPs for multiple combinations of different land surface conditions (soil erodibility and slope) commonly found at gas well sites in the area. Annual average sediment yield predictions from unprotected site conditions ranged from 12.1 to 134.5 tonnes per hectare per year (t/ha/yr). Sediment yield predictions for 1, 2, 5, and 10-year design storms ranged from 8.1 to 20.6 t/ha. When site conditions were modeled with BMPs, predicted sediment yields were 52–93% less. A comparison of modeled efficiency values to a review of laboratory and field data suggests that modeled (theoretical) sediment yield results with BMPs are likely best case scenarios. This study also evaluated BMPs in the context of site management goals and implementation cost, demonstrating a practical approach for the application of RUSLE 2.0 for managing soil loss and understanding the importance of selecting appropriate site-specific BMPs for disturbed site conditions.     

Late Weichselian and Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in Andfjord and Vågsfjord,North Norway

Late Weichselian and Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in a continental‐shelf trough, Andfjord, and its inshore continuation, Vågsfjord, North Norway, have been analysed. The study is based on sediment cores and high‐resolution acoustic data. Andfjord was deglaciated between 14.6 and 13 ¹⁴C kyr BP (17.5 and 15.6 calibrated (cal.) kyr BP), the Vågsfjord basin before 12.5 ¹⁴C kyr BP (14.7 cal. kyr BP), and the heads of the inner tributary fjords about 9.7 ¹⁴C kyr BP (11.2 cal. kyr BP). In Andfjord, five seismostratigraphical units are correlated to a radiocarbon dated lithostratigraphy. Three seismostratigraphical units are recognised in Vågsfjord. A total volume of 23 km³ post‐glacial glacimarine and marine sediments was mapped in the study area, of which 80% are of Late Weichselian origin. Sedimentation rates in outer Andfjord indicate reduced sediment accumulation with increasing distance from the ice margin. The Late Weichselian sediment flux and sedimentation rates are significantly higher in Vågsfjord than Andfjord. Basin morphology, the position of the ice front and the timing of deglaciation are assumed to be the reasons for this. Late Weichselian sedimentation rates in Andfjord and Vågsfjord are comparable to modern subpolar glacimarine environments of Greenland, Baffin Island and Spitsbergen. Downwasting of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet, and winnowing of the banks owing to the full introduction of the Norwegian Current, caused very high sedimentation rates in parts of the Andfjord trough at the Late Weichselian–Holocene boundary. Holocene sediment flux and sedimentation rates in Andfjord are about half the amount found in Vågsfjord, and about one‐tenth the amount of Late Weichselian values. A strong bottom current system, established at the Late Weichselian–Holocene boundary, caused erosion of the Late Weichselian sediments and an asymmetric Holocene sediment distribution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The contribution of rain-on-snow events to annual NO3-N export from a forested catchment in south-central Ontario,Canada

The contribution of rain-on-snow (ROS) events to NO₃-N levels in stream water has received relatively little research attention. However, individual ROS events during January and February contributed up to 40% of annual NO₃-N export from a forested catchment in south-central Ontario between 1980 and 2000, but comprised less than 10% of annual precipitation. Nitrate-N concentrations in stream water increased rapidly following ROS events, and were similar to the concentrations in incident rainfall and the accumulated snow pack, likely due to limited contact of runoff with mineral soil under snow cover and low winter biological activity. Increased NO₃-N associated with ROS events resulted in substantial depressions in stream pH and alkalinity, which may delay the biological recovery from acidification. The contribution of ROS events to annual or winter NO₃-N export has been generally greater in recent years, although there is a considerable year-to-year variation. As a result, ROS events contribute to inter-annual variability in stream NO₃-N concentrations and will have a strong effect on apparent temporal trends. The contribution of ROS events to annual NO₃-N export should be considered when assessing surface water recovery from acidification and the N-status of forests, particularly if climate change projections for winter warming result in a greater proportion of winter precipitation occurring as rain.     

Spatial distribution and flux of terrigenic He dissolved in the sediment pore water of Lake Van (Turkey)

In this study, the largest ever carried out to measure noble gases in the pore water of unconsolidated sediments in lakes, the emission of terrigenic He through the sediment column of Lake Van was successfully mapped on the local scale. The main input of He to the water body occurs at the borders of a deep basin within the lake, which is probably the remains of a collapsed caldera. The ³He/⁴He ratio identifies the He injected into the sedimentary column of Lake Van as a mixture of He released from a mantle source and radiogenic He of crustal origin (³He/⁴He∼2.6-4.1×10^-6). During passage through the pore space, terrigenic He seems to be further enriched in radiogenic He that is most likely produced in the sediment column. In fact, two distinct trends in isotopic composition can be distinguished in the He injected from the lake basement into the sediments. One of these characterizes samples from the shallow water, the other characterizes samples from the deep basin. However, both of these trends are related to the same source of terrigenic He. The He fluxes determined seem to be characteristic of each sampling location and might be considered as a proxy for the fluid permeability of the deep sediment column. These new findings provide insight into the process of fluid transport within the sediments and into the process of formation of the lake basin. Moreover, the isotopic signature of the He that emanates into the water column of Lake Van is strongly affected by the mixing conditions prevailing in the overlying water body. This fact misled previous studies to interpret the terrigenic He in Lake Van as being solely of mantle origin (³He/⁴He∼10^-5).     

A multi-method approach to quantify groundwater/surface water-interactions in the semi-arid Hailiutu River basin,northwest China

Identification and quantification of groundwater and surface-water interactions provide important scientific insights for managing groundwater and surface-water conjunctively. This is especially relevant in semi-arid areas where groundwater is often the main source to feed river discharge and to maintain groundwater dependent ecosystems. Multiple field measurements were taken in the semi-arid Bulang sub-catchment, part of the Hailiutu River basin in northwest China, to identify and quantify groundwater and surface-water interactions. Measurements of groundwater levels and stream stages for a 1-year investigation period indicate continuous groundwater discharge to the river. Temperature measurements of stream water, streambed deposits at different depths, and groundwater confirm the upward flow of groundwater to the stream during all seasons. Results of a tracer-based hydrograph separation exercise reveal that, even during heavy rainfall events, groundwater contributes much more to the increased stream discharge than direct surface runoff. Spatially distributed groundwater seepage along the stream was estimated using mass balance equations with electrical conductivity measurements during a constant salt injection experiment. Calculated groundwater seepage rates showed surprisingly large spatial variations for a relatively homogeneous sandy aquifer.     

唐古拉山冬克玛底冰川流域河水总溶解固体和悬移质的变化特征

通过2013年6-9月对唐古拉山冬克玛底冰川流域河水的逐日定时样品采集,并结合流域水文与气象资料,对径流的总溶解固体（TDS）和悬移质的变化特征进行分析。结果表明：2013年消融期的平均气温为3.7℃,消融期降水量为546 mm,7月和8月两个月径流量占消融期总径流量的63%。消融期逐日的TDS变化范围为31~140 mg·L^-1,平均值为60 mg·L^-1,TDS随径流变化显著,表现为消融强烈时（7-8月） TDS浓度较低,消融初期（6月）和末期（9月）时TDS浓度较高;径流中TDS与悬移质浓度（SSC）变化表现出相反变化趋势,即消融强烈时悬移质浓度较高,而消融初期与末期悬移质浓度较低,消融期平均悬移质浓度为122.8 mg·L^-1,流量-SSC时序关系表现为以顺时针滞后事件为主。2013年冬克玛底冰川流域消融期的化学侵蚀总量和物理侵蚀总量分别为2.214×10³ t和6.722×10³ t,化学侵蚀与物理侵蚀率的比值为0.33。     

贵州省乌江流域土壤侵蚀模拟——基于GIS、RUSLE和ANN技术的研究

本研究在GIS技术支撑下选择RUSLE模型作为基础模型,估算乌江流域20世纪80年代和90年代年均土壤侵蚀量,结合ANN技术,预测2001—2010年乌江流域的土壤侵蚀量,分析了该流域近30年来土壤侵蚀动态变化规律,以期为研究区土壤侵蚀防治工作提供理论依据。研究结果表明:应用RUSLE模型计算乌江流域年均土壤侵蚀模数,计算结果和以往土壤侵蚀调查估计的结果比较吻合,但由于RUSLE模型不计算重力侵蚀,因此计算结果仍与实测输沙模数有所出入。90年代潜在土壤侵蚀模数比80年代高,流域潜在土壤侵蚀呈增加趋势,其中三岔河流域和马蹄河/印江河流域年均潜在土壤侵蚀模数最高。3种主要土地覆被类型中,林地的土壤保持量最大,耕地次之,草地最少,这与非喀斯特地区在水土保持效果上通常林地草地旱地的结论有所不同。通过构建BP神经网络,预测得到乌江流域2001—2010年土壤侵蚀模数,结果显示,21世纪前10年,流域土壤侵蚀模数大幅降低,流域年均土壤侵蚀模数由90年代的23.13 t/(hm2·a)降低为1.01 t/(hm2·a)。三岔河流域的水土流失得到了控制,黔西、金沙、息烽、修文、贵阳、平坝、思南、石阡、沿河和松桃等县市应是"十二五"期间的水土流失重点治理对象。     

Modeling runoff and soil erosion in a catchment area, using the GIS, in the Himalayan region, India

Remote sensing data and GIS techniques have been used to compute runoff and soil erosion in the catchment area along the NH-1A between Udhampur and Kud covering an area of approximately 181 km². Different thematic layers, for example lithology, a landuse and landcover map, geomorphology, a slope map, and a soil-texture map, were generated from these input data. By use of the US Soil Conservation Service curve number method, estimated runoff potential was classified into five levels—very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Data integration was performed by use of the weighting rating technique, a conventional qualitative method, to give a runoff potential index value. The runoff potential index values were used to delineate the runoff potential zones, namely low, moderate, high, and very high. Annual spatial soil loss estimation was computed using the Morgan–Morgan–Finney mathematical model in conjunction with remote sensing data and GIS techniques. Greater soil erosion was found to occur in the northwestern part of the catchment area. When average soil loss from the catchment area was calculated it was found that a maximum average soil loss of more than 20 t ha⁻¹ occurred in 31 km² of the catchment area.     

Spatial prediction of soil erosion risk by remote sensing,GIS and RUSLE approach: a case study of Siruvani river watershed in Attapady valley,Kerala, India

Siruvani watershed with a surface area of 205.54 km² (20,554 hectare), forming a part of the Western Ghats in Attapady valley, Kerala, was chosen for testing RUSLE methodology in conjunction with remote sensing and GIS for soil loss prediction and identifying areas with high erosion potential. The RUSLE factors (R, K, LS, C and P) were computed from local rainfall, topographic, soil classification and remote sensing data. This study proved that the integration of soil erosion models with GIS and remote sensing is a simple and effective tool for mapping and quantifying areas and rates of soil erosion for the development of better soil conservation plans. The resultant map of annual soil erosion shows a maximum soil loss of 14.917 t h⁻¹ year⁻¹ and the computations suggest that about only 5.76% (1,184 hectares) of the area comes under the severe soil erosion zone followed by the high-erosion zone (11.50% of the total area). The dominant high soil erosion areas are located in the central and southern portion of the watershed and it is attributed to the shifting cultivation, and forest degradation along with the combined effect of K, LS and C factor. The RUSLE model in combination with GIS and remote sensing techniques also enables the assessment of pixel based soil erosion rate.     

Runoff and sediment yield modeling by means of WEPP in the Bautzen dam catchment,Germany

Soil erosion by water is one of the most widespread forms of soil degradation in Europe. There are many undesirable consequences of soil erosion due to water such as loss of water storage capacity in reservoirs and transfer of pollutants from farmland to water bodies. The objectives of this study were to calibrate and validate the Water Erosion Prediction Project watershed model (WEPP 2012.8) in the Bautzen dam catchment area with monthly and daily single events for runoff and sediment yield. This is to our knowledge the first study using WEPP in Germany. The catchment (310 km²) was subdivided into small sub-catchments with an area of <260 ha as recommended in WEPP. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the runoff is highly sensitive to the effective hydraulic conductivity in Bautzen, whereas the sediment yield is highly sensitive to rill erodibility, critical shear stress, and to the effective hydraulic conductivity as well. All these parameters were initially calculated using WEPP’s built-in equations and parameters, which, however, produced very poor results for both runoff and sediment yield. Therefore, the model was calibrated for 2 years (2005–2007) and validated for another 2 years (2008–2009) against monthly measurements, in addition to 14 daily single events from the calibration period and 2010. The monthly results were compared with the monthly measurements on the basis of a continuous simulation. Results of calibration and validation periods show a satisfactory performance of WEPP with a determination coefficient R ² above 0.6 and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficients above 0.50 for runoff and sediment yield. Thus, the model could be used to simulate runoff and sediment yield, and used in scenario studies in the Bautzen dam catchment area.     

Integrated geospatial,geostatistical, and remote-sensing approach to estimate groundwater level in North-western India

The depletion of groundwater resources in Northwest India has been extensively studied. The top priority to meet the scarcity of water for irrigation, industrial and domestic purposes is supplemented by groundwater. Geostatistical modelling approach is considered to be beneficial tool for the assessment, evaluation, monitoring, and management of groundwater resources. This study is an attempt to analyze the spatio-temporal variability of groundwater level in semi-arid region of Panipat district, Haryana, India using kriging technique to fill the data gaps. Ordinary kriging was found optimal for the interpolation of groundwater levels. The results revealed that there was not much seasonal variation and also the groundwater flow direction remained almost constant in the study area during the assessment period. Spatial variability analysis showed significant variation in groundwater level and further depicted that the study area had undergone more or less decline in groundwater over the period of time. To validate the observations and results geo spatial and remote sensing techniques including normalised difference vegetation index and impervious surface relationships were worked out. It was further co-related with the rainfall data and the canal network existing in Panipat region. The integrated approach substantiated the observed results with the ground reality and helped in better understanding of the causes of declining groundwater trend in central part of Panipat.     

Geochemical and isotopic approach to maturity/source/mixing estimations for natural gas and associated condensates in the Thrace Basin,NW Turkey

The Tertiary Thrace Basin located in NW Turkey comprises 9 km of clastic-sedimentary column ranging in age from Early Eocene to Recent in age. Fifteen natural gas and 10 associated condensate samples collected from the 11 different gas fields along the NW–SE extending zone of the northern portion of the basin were evaluated on the basis of their chemical and individual C isotopic compositions. For the purpose of the study, the genesis of CH₄, thermogenic C₂₊ gases, and associated condensates were evaluated separately.Methane appears to have 3 origins: Group-1 CH₄ is bacteriogenic (Calculated δ¹³C_C1–C = −61.48‰; Silivri Field) and found in Oligocene reservoirs and mixed with the thermogenic Group-2 CH₄. They probably formed in the Upper Oligocene coal and shales deposited in a marshy-swamp environment of fluvio-deltaic settings. Group-2 (δ¹³C_C1–C = −35.80‰; Hamitabat Field) and Group-3 (δ¹³C_1–C = −49.10‰; Değirmenköy Field) methanes are thermogenic and share the same origin with the Group-2 and Group-3 C₂₊ gases. The Group-2 C₂₊ gases include 63% of the gas fields. They are produced from both Eocene (overwhelmingly) and Oligocene reservoirs. These gases were almost certainly generated from isotopically heavy terrestrial kerogen (δ¹³C = −21‰) present in the Eocene deltaic Hamitabat shales. The Group-3 C₂₊ gases, produced from one field, were generated from isotopically light marine kerogen (δ¹³C = −29‰). Lower Oligoce ne Mezardere shales deposited in pro-deltaic settings are believed to be the source of these gases.The bulk and individual n-alkane isotopic relationships between the rock extracts, gases, condensates and oils from the basin differentiated two Groups of condensates, which can be genetically linked to the Group-2 and -3 thermogenic C₂₊ gases. However, it is crucial to note that condensates do not necessarily correlate to their associated gases.Maturity assessments on the Group-1 and -2 thermogenic gases based on their estimated initial kerogen isotope values (δ¹³C = −21‰; −29‰) and on the biomarkers present in the associated condensates reveal that all the hydrocarbons including gases, condensates and oils are the products of primary cracking at the early mature st age (R_eq = 0.55–0.81%). It is demonstrated that the open-system source conditions required for such an early-mature hydrocarbon expulsion exist and are supported by fault systems of the basin.     

Combining rough sets and GIS techniques to assess aquifer vulnerability characteristics in the semi-arid South Texas

The coastal semi-arid region of South Texas is undergoing significant growth causing an enormous burden on its limited water resources. Understanding regional-scale vulnerability of this resource is important for sustainable water resources management and land use development. In this study, DRASTIC methodology is integrated with an information-analytic technique called rough sets to understand groundwater vulnerability characteristics in 18 different counties of South Texas. The rough set theory provides three useful metrics: the strength factor which depicts how vulnerability characteristics occur over the area; the certainty factor computes the relative probabilities for various vulnerability states within a county and the coverage factor which elucidates the fraction of a specific vulnerability state present in each county. The coupling of rough sets with GIS is particularly advantageous to cluster counties exhibiting similar vulnerability characteristics and to obtain other related insights. The application of the approach indicates that the groundwater vulnerability exhibits greater variability along the coast than in the interior sections of the area. The shallow aquifer in Aransas, DeWitt, Goliad and Gonzales counties is the most vulnerable, while the aquifer in Duval, Jim Wells, Karnes, Live Oak, Nueces and San Patricio is less vulnerable. This approach should prove useful to regional planners and environmental managers entrusted with the protection of groundwater resources.     

Stochastic simulation of time-series models combined with geostatistics to predict water-table scenarios in a Guarani Aquifer System outcrop area, Brazil

Stochastic methods based on time-series modeling combined with geostatistics can be useful tools to describe the variability of water-table levels in time and space and to account for uncertainty. Monitoring water-level networks can give information about the dynamic of the aquifer domain in both dimensions. Time-series modeling is an elegant way to treat monitoring data without the complexity of physical mechanistic models. Time-series model predictions can be interpolated spatially, with the spatial differences in water-table dynamics determined by the spatial variation in the system properties and the temporal variation driven by the dynamics of the inputs into the system. An integration of stochastic methods is presented, based on time-series modeling and geostatistics as a framework to predict water levels for decision making in groundwater management and land-use planning. The methodology is applied in a case study in a Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) outcrop area located in the southeastern part of Brazil. Communication of results in a clear and understandable form, via simulated scenarios, is discussed as an alternative, when translating scientific knowledge into applications of stochastic hydrogeology in large aquifers with limited monitoring network coverage like the GAS.