Ecosystem services of the groundwater and the subsurface : filling the knowledge gap

In densely populated areas, the use of groundwater and the subsurface for functions such as groundwater extraction, aquifer thermal energy storage and infrastructure is increasing. This results in a need for subsurface spatial planning and careful consideration of the use of groundwater for several (economic) activities. Since 2013, in the Netherlands special attention is given to ecosystem services (ES) of the groundwater and subsurface in order to assess how human activities make use of ES and influence ES. A technical assessment framework for the sustainable use of the groundwater and subsurface was developed based on the ES concept. In this paper, the goals of the framework are described, followed by the identified eleven ES and the thirty-one human activities influencing the ES and the relations between both. An example of elements in the framework is presented and the practical application of ES in policy is described.