Application of Remote Sensing and Non-Invasive Hydrogeophysics to Integrated Hydrological Models

Traditional, stand-alone groundwater models have always required definition of highly uncertain recharge and groundwater evapotranspiration inputs as driving forces. Such models are gradually being replaced by integrated hydrological models (IHMs), in which surface and groundwater fluxes are dynamically integrated throughout the unsaturated zone and where input driving forces, such as precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, as well as subsurface geometry and parametrization, can be defined by remote sensing (RS) and non-invasive hydrogeophysics (NHG). Therefore, the use of IHMs, opens an avenue for novel, conjunctive applications of RS and NHG in groundwater-related modelling studies. Earth observation from space now provides a range of products that are highly beneficial to constraining uncertainty in IHM input and are both freely available online and accessible to non-experts of RS. NHG offers complementary techniques that can provide valuable information on system boundaries and key parameters. Studies integrating such data-acquisition platforms have considerable promise and can be embedded in IHMs.

In this Research Topic, we welcome manuscripts focusing on one or more of the themes below:
• Use of various RS platforms of earth observation (satellite, airborne, drones) as source
of data input for IHMs;
• Use of various NHG techniques (from ground surface and from near-above-surface) for
IHMs;
• Novel RS and/or NHG applications in IHMs;
• Scale effect in down/up/scaling (RS and/or NHG vs/or IHM);
• Validation of RS and/or NHGs through water balances derived from calibrated IHMs;
• Use of RS and/or NHG for data assimilation in IHMs;
• Applications for water resources management.