Global Land Water Loss Surpasses Ice Melt, Driving Sea Level Rise and Ecological Risk

A groundbreaking study published in Science reveals that terrestrial water storage—comprising groundwater, soil moisture, and surface water—has been declining at an alarming rate since the start of the 21st century, far exceeding the impact of melting ice sheets.

Researchers from Seoul National University analyzed multi-source satellite data and found that between 2005 and 2015 alone, the Earth lost approximately 1.3 trillion metric tons of terrestrial water, contributing to a global sea level rise of 3.5 millimeters. Notably, soil moisture loss was the most dramatic: in just two years from 2000 to 2002, 1.6 trillion tons were lost—equivalent to an annual sea level rise of 2 millimeters, more than double the contribution from Greenland's ice sheet during the same period.

Experts at the University of Arizona attribute this trend primarily to intensified water cycling driven by global warming. Higher temperatures are accelerating surface evaporation and plant transpiration, while shifting precipitation patterns are diverting more rainfall directly to oceans as runoff, bypassing soil and aquifer recharge. This shift aligns with the expanding global dry zones, further exacerbated by excessive groundwater extraction.

Scientists warn that, unless urgent action is taken, terrestrial water depletion will continue to accelerate. The expansion of arid regions is now outpacing the growth of humid areas, severely limiting natural recovery. This poses a significant threat to global ecosystems and human livelihoods. The study calls for the establishment of an interdisciplinary global water monitoring system to tackle this escalating water crisis.