Agricultural market integration preserves future global water resources

Traded agricultural goods redistribute water, virtually, around the world to satisfy unmet demands while limiting excess water extraction in importing regions. However, gaps remain our understanding of how alternative international trade regimes may alter demands, locally and virtually. Here, we explore global savings virtual impacts such under reference low-carbon scenarios using an integrated water-constrained human-earth system model. We find that varying market integration significantly alters regional withdrawals substantially affecting nonrenewable groundwater withdrawals. These results highlight susceptibility resources, across regions, degrees integration. Understanding evolve future can assist management resources allow for enhanced food security potential amelioration stress.