Vincenzo Senigalliesi's thesis investigates groundwater processes in Earth System Models (ESMs), focusing on water-limited regions such as Mediterranean Climate Regions. It combines: (i) an observational assessment of total water storage using GRACE/GRACE-FO data, (ii) the development of a novel dynamic groundwater parameterization within the ECMWF Land Surface Model (ECLand), and (iii) an evaluation of its impact on hydrological and energy fluxes across scales.
The work addresses a key limitation in climate modelling: the simplified treatment of groundwater. The implementation of a prognostic water table scheme in ECLand represents a clear and original contribution.
The thesis successfully integrates observations and modelling, providing physically consistent and well-supported results relevant for improving land–atmosphere interactions in next-generation ESMs.
The methodology is robust, combining satellite data, flux tower observations, and global datasets within a comprehensive evaluation framework. The model development is clearly described and validated.
Results show consistent improvements in surface fluxes and subsurface hydrology, especially in regions with shallow groundwater, with sound physical interpretation.
Strengths include high scientific relevance, originality, strong integration of observations & modelling, multi-scale evaluation, and a coherent interpretation. Limitations concern the absence of lateral groundwater processes, simplified aquifers, limited treatment of anthropogenic effects, and reliance on linear attribution methods. These are acknowledged and do not affect the overall quality. The results have clear operational interest for ECMWF, definite plus for foreseen outcomes of this scientific work.
The thesis is well structured, clearly written, and supported by high-quality figures. The candidate demonstrates strong scientific maturity & independence. I recommended acceptance of the thesis and admission to the PhD defense.