Groundwater discharge as affected by land use change in small catchments: A hydrologic and economic case study in Central Brazil

Base fl ow discharge is an important element of the hydrological cycle that describes the loss of water from the groundwater compartment to surface waters (GRAPHIC/UNESCO 2006). Base fl ow discharge, often equalled to groundwater discharge in river basins during dry seasons, helps to maintain aquatic ecosystems and provides for important hydrological services to human communities (Tomish et al. 2004).