Groundwater level observations dataset for the Mediterranean region

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region is increasing due to climate change and anthropogenic pressures. to This situation has intensified drought, reduced streamflow, and decreased soil moisture, putting additional pressure on groundwater to mitigate water stress. Despite the critical importance of groundwater use, there is a lack of centralized and detailed groundwater level data in the Mediterranean region, which is essential for sustainable water resources management. This study aims to establish a comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date groundwater level dataset in the Mediterranean region. The dataset was primarily constructed using available nationwide observation wells from Mediterranean countries and was further enriched with additional research project-based observation wells. It includes groundwater level data with more than 15800 observation wells in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Türkiye, and Tunisia. The historical data (1900-2024) frequency varies from daily to weekly, monthly, bimonthly, and biannually, with the earliest records originating from France. The highest proportion of daily and weekly measurements also comes from wells in France, whereas 90% of the observations in Portugal and Spain were recorded at monthly or bimonthly intervals. The collected groundwater dataset will be presented and discussed. Consistent and detailed monitoring and sharing of groundwater level data are essential for sustainable water management, especially in areas known for water scarcity and rapidly changing climatic conditions.