Sergio Contreras

Ecohydrologist/Remote Sensing Expert

BSc-MSc in Environmental Sciences (2001) and PhD (2006) at the University of Almeria. Dryland ecohydrologist, and drought and remote sensing expert with more than 10 years of career as researcher and consultant in water resources assessment (quantification of water-energy balance), hydrological and water allocation modelling, and geomatic technologies (analysis of satellite and UAV imagery, and Geographic Information Systems). Dr. Contreras studies and quantifies the links and feedbacks between the Hydrosphere (hydrological processes at the land surface), and the Biosphere (structure and functioning of native and agro- and native ecosystems), and their relation with climate-forcing drivers and human activities at different spatial scales (plot, landscape, regional). He developed its main research career in the  Spanish National Research Council (2002-2013), and did stays at Australia (The University of Western Australia), Argentina (Institute of Applied Mathematics of San Luis), and USA (Bureau of Economic Geology). Since its joining in FW at 2013 as consult researcher, Sergio is contributing to a better understanding of drought impacts on the environment and the economy. He leads the InfoDrought pilot project focused on the development and testing of a fully-integrated Drought Monitoring-Management System, and the Work Package on “Drought and Innovations” of the EU-H2020 BRIGAID project. He has actively participated in in many international and Spanish research projects and contracts. Member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (2000-present).

Related publications

• 2020 - FutureWater Report 125Faassen, K., C. Nolet, S. Contreras. 2020. Internship Report: Determining the dryness index and evaporative fraction for satellite and drone images. FutureWater Report 125X

  Determining the dryness index and evaporative fraction for satellite and drone images

  Faassen, K., C. Nolet, S. Contreras

• 2020 - FutureWater Report 212Contreras, S., C. Nolet, G.W.H. Simons, 2020. Monitor Ecopraderas: Seguimiento del estado de las praderas de la Vega del Alagón mediante indicadores de satélite. FutureWater Report 212X

  Monitor Ecopraderas: Seguimiento del estado de las praderas de la Vega del Alagón mediante indicadores de satélite

  Contreras, S., C. Nolet, G.W.H. Simons

• 2019 - FutureWater Report 197Hamed, R., A. De Tomas, S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink, J.E. 2019. Seasonal Hydrological Forecasting for the Segura River Basin, Spain. FutureWater Report 197.X

  Seasonal Hydrological Forecasting for the Segura River Basin, Spain

  Hamed, R., A. De Tomas, S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink

• 2019 - BRIGAID Internal ReportContreras, S., J.E. Hunink. 2019. InfoSequia Testing Development Report. BRIGAID Internal Report.X

  InfoSequia Testing Development Report

  Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink

• 2019 - FutureWater Report 186Contreras, S. 2019. Detection and coverage estimation of on-farm reservoirs and ponds in Mediterranean irrigated regions using orthophotos and pixel classification techniques. FutureWater Report 186X

  Detection and coverage estimation of on-farm reservoirs and ponds in Mediterranean irrigated regions using orthophotos and pixel classification techniques

  Contreras, S.

• 2019 - E-Proceedings of the 38th IAHR World CongressBall, S., M.F. Sanchez, M. Werner, S.T. Escobar Carmona, C.Y. Soto Chavez, M. Wuis, S. Contreras, K. Douben, M. Visser, J.E. Hunink. 2019. Co-Design of an Integrated Operational Water Management Tool For the Valle Del Cauca, Colombia. E-Proceedings of the 38th IAHR World Congress. doi.10.3850/38WC092019-1424.X

  HERMANA: Co-Design of an Integrated Operational Water Management Tool For the Valle Del Cauca, Colombia

  Ball, S., M.F. Sanchez, M. Werner, S.T. Escobar Carmona, C.Y. Soto Chavez, M. Wuis, S. Contreras, K. Douben, M. Visser, J.E. Hunink

• 2019 - WaterHunink, J.E, G.W.H. Simons, S. Suárez-Almiñana, A. Solera, J. Andreu, M. Giuliani, P. Zamberletti, M. Grillakis, A. Koutroulis, I. Tsanis, F. Schasfoort, S. Contreras, E. Ercin, W. Bastiaanssen. 2019. A Simplified Water Accounting Procedure to Assess Climate Change Impact on Water Resources for Agriculture across Different European River Basins. Water 2019, 11, 1976. doi:10.3390/w11101976X

  A Simplified Water Accounting Procedure to Assess Climate Change Impact on Water Resources for Agriculture across Different European River Basins

  Hunink, J.E, G.W.H. Simons, S. Suárez-Almiñana, A. Solera, J. Andreu, M. Giuliani, P. Zamberletti, M. Grillakis, A. Koutroulis, I. Tsanis, F. Schasfoort, S. Contreras, E. Ercin, W. Bastiaanssen

• 2019 - Technical ReportTaner M.Ü., J.E. Hunink, S. Contreras, A. Hijar, R. Hamed, D. Morales, A. Wasti, P. Ray. 2019. El Marco del Árbol de Decisión: Aplicación a la Cuenca de Chancay-Lambayeque, Peru. Informe final. Deltares, FutureWater, INSIDEO and University of Cincinnati para el Banco Mundial.X

  El Marco del Árbol de Decisión: Aplicación a la Cuenca de Chancay-Lambayeque, Peru

  Taner M.Ü., J.E. Hunink, S. Contreras, A. Hijar, R. Hamed, D. Morales, A. Wasti, P. Ray

• 2019 - FutureWater Report 194Hunink, J.E., J.P.C. Eekhout, J. de Vente, S. Contreras, G.W.H. Simons. 2019. Satellite-based altimetry data for hydrological assessments: two case studies Report 194X

  Satellite-based altimetry data for hydrological assessments: two case studies

  Hunink, J.E., J.P.C. Eekhout, J. de Vente, S. Contreras, G.W.H. Simons

• 2019 - Science of the Total EnvironmentAlcolea, A., S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink, J.L. García-Aróstegui, J. Jiménez-Martínez. 2019. Hydrogeological modelling for the watershed management of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (Spain). Science of the Total Environment (663) p901-914.X

  Hydrogeological modelling for the watershed management of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon (Spain)

  Alcolea, A., S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink, J.L. García-Aróstegui, J. Jiménez-Martínez

• 2018 - Agricultural Water ManagementGarcía-León, D., S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink. 2018. Comparison of meteorological and satellite-based drought indices as yield predictors of Spanish cereals. Agric. Water Manag., 213, 388-396. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2018.10.030
  X

  Comparison of meteorological and satellite-based drought indices as yield predictors of Spanish cereals

  García-León, D., S. Contreras, J.E. Hunink

• 2017 - FutureWater Report 176Contreras, S., A. Alcolea, J. Jiménez-Martínez, J.E. Hunink. 2017. Cuantificación de la descarga subterránea al Mar Menor mediante modelización hidrogeológica del acuífero superficial Cuaternario. FutureWater Report 176.X

  Cuantificación de la descarga subterránea al Mar Menor mediante modelización hidrogeológica del acuífero superficial Cuaternario

  Contreras, S., A. Alcolea, J. Jiménez-Martínez, J.E. Hunink

• 2017 - FutureWater Report 174Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink, A. Baille. 2017. Water and carbon fluxes in irrigated citrus orchards assessed from satellite data. FutureWater Report 174.X

  Water and carbon fluxes in irrigated citrus orchards assessed from satellite data

  Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink, A. Baille

• 2017 - Remote SensingHunink J.E., J.P.C. Eekhout, J. de Vente, S. Contreras, P. Droogers, A. Baille. 2017. Hydrological Modelling using Satellite-Based
  Crop Coefficients: A Comparison of Methods at the Basin Scale. Remote Sens., 9, 174, doi:10.3390/rs9020174X

  Hydrological Modelling using Satellite-Based Crop Coefficients: A Comparison of Methods at the Basin Scale

  Hunink J.E., J.P.C. Eekhout, J. de Vente, S. Contreras, P. Droogers, A. Baille

• 2017 - FutureWater Report 167Hunink, J.E., S. Contreras, G.W.H. Simons, P. Droogers. 2017. Hydrological Evaluation and Ecosystem Valuation of the Lukanga Swamps. FutureWater Report 167.X

  Hydrological Evaluation and Ecosystem Valuation of the Lukanga Swamps

  Hunink, J.E., S. Contreras, G.W.H. Simons, P. Droogers

• 2016 - Agricultural Water ManagementRomero-Triguerosa, C., P.A. Nortes, J.J. Alarcón, J.E. Hunink, M. Parra, S. Contreras, P. Droogers, E. Nicolás. 2016. Effects of saline reclaimed waters and deficit irrigation on Citrusphysiology assessed by UAV remote sensing. Agricultural Water Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.09.014.X

  Effects of saline reclaimed waters and deficit irrigation on Citrusphysiology assessed by UAV remote sensing

  Romero-Triguerosa, C., P.A. Nortes, J.J. Alarcón, J.E. Hunink, M. Parra, S. Contreras, P. Droogers, E. Nicolás

• 2016 - Environmental ReviewsJimenez-Martinez, J., J.L. Garcia-Arostegui, J.E. Hunink, S. Contreras, P. Baudron, L. Candela. 2016. The role of groundwater in highly human-modified hydrosystems: a review of impacts and mitigation options in the Campo de Cartagena-Mar Menor coastal plain (SE Spain). Environmental Reviews, 2016, 24, 377-392. doi:10.1139/er-2015-0089.X

  The role of groundwater in highly human-modified hydrosystems: a review of impacts and mitigation options in the Campo de Cartagena-Mar Menor coastal plain (SE Spain)

  Jimenez-Martinez, J., J.L. Garcia-Arostegui, J.E. Hunink, S. Contreras, P. Baudron, L. Candela

• 2016 - Journal of Hydrology and HydromechanicsCantón, Y., E. Rodríguez-Caballero, S. Contreras, L. Villagarcía, X.Y. Li, A. Solé-Benet, F. Domingo. 2016. Vertical and lateral soil moisture patterns on a mediterranean karst hillslope. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 64, 209-2019. doi: 10.1515/johh-2016-0030X

  Vertical and lateral soil moisture patterns on a mediterranean karst hillslope

  Cantón, Y., E. Rodríguez-Caballero, S. Contreras, L. Villagarcía, X.Y. Li, A. Solé-Benet, F. Domingo

• 2015 - Agricultural Water ManagementHunink, J.E., S. Contreras, M. Soto-García, B. Martin-Gorriz, V. Martinez-Álvarez, A. Baille. 2015. Estimating groundwater use patterns of perennial and seasonal crops in a Mediterranean irrigation scheme, using remote sensing. Agricultural Water Management, 162, 47–56. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2015.08.003X

  Estimating groundwater use patterns of perennial and seasonal crops in a Mediterranean irrigation scheme, using remote sensing

  Hunink, J.E., S. Contreras, M. Soto-García, B. Martin-Gorriz, V. Martinez-Álvarez, A. Baille

• 2015 - FutureWater Report 148Hunink, J.E., W. Terink, S. Contreras, P. Droogers. 2015. Scoping Assessment of Erosion Levels for the Mahale region, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania. FutureWater Report 148X

  Scoping Assessment of Erosion Levels for the Mahale region, Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania

  Hunink, J.E., W. Terink, S. Contreras, P. Droogers

• 2015 - FutureWater Report 138Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink. 2015. Water accounting at the basin scale: water use and supply (2000-2010) in the Segura River Basin using the SEEA framework. FutureWater Report 138.X

  Water accounting at the basin scale: water use and supply (2000-2010) in the Segura River Basin using the SEEA framework

  Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink

• 2015 - FutureWater Report 141Hunink, J.E., S. Contreras, P. Droogers. 2015. Hydrological pre-feasibility assessment for the Romuku hydropower plant Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. FutureWater Report 141X

  Hydrological pre-feasibility assessment for the Romuku hydropower plant Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

  Hunink, J.E., S. Contreras, P. Droogers

• 2014 - Water Environment ResearchContreras, S., P. Pérez-Cutillas, C.S. Santoni, C. Romero-Trigueros, F. Pedrero, J.J. Alarcán. 2014. Effects of reclaimed waters on spectral properties and leaf traits of Citrus orchards. Water Environment Research 86: 2242-2250X

  Effects of reclaimed waters on spectral properties and leaf traits of Citrus orchards

  Contreras, S., P. Pérez-Cutillas, C.S. Santoni, C. Romero-Trigueros, F. Pedrero, J.J. Alarcón

• 2014 - Droughts: Research and Science-Policy InterfacingContreras, S., J.E. Hunink. 2014. Drought effects on rainfed agriculture using standardized indices: A case study in SE Spain. In Andreu et al. (eds) Droughts: Research and Science-Policy Interfacing, pp. 65-70. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group), London. ISBN: 978-1-138-02779-4X

  Drought effects on rainfed agriculture using standardized indices: A case study in SE Spain

  Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink

• 2014 - FutureWater Report 125Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink, A. Baille. 2014. Building a Watershed Information System for the Campo de Cartagena basin (Spain) integrating hydrological modeling and remote sensing. FutureWater Report 125.X

  Building a Watershed Information System for the Campo de Cartagena basin (Spain) integrating hydrological modeling and remote sensing

  Contreras, S., J.E. Hunink, A. Baille

• 2013 - Earth observation of ecosystem servicesContreras, S., D. Alcaraz-Segura, B. Scanlon, E.G. Jobbágy. 2013. Detecting ecosystem reliance on groundwater based on satellite-derived greenness anomaly and temporal dynamics. In D. Alcaraz-Segura, C.M. Di Bella, J.V. Straschnoy (Eds.) Earth observation of ecosystem services. Chapter 13, pp. 283-302. CRC Press - Taylor & Francis Group. Boca Raton. ISBN: 978-14-665058-8-9X

  Detecting ecosystem reliance on groundwater based on satellite-derived greenness anomaly and temporal dynamics

  Contreras, S., D. Alcaraz-Segura, B. Scanlon, E.G. Jobbágy

• 2013 - EcohydrologyContreras, S., C.S. Santoni, E.G. Jobbagy. 2013. Abrupt watercourse formation in a semiarid sedimentary landscape of central Argentina: The roles of forest clearing, rainfall variability, and seismic activity. Ecohydrology 6: 794-805X

  Abrupt watercourse formation in a semiarid sedimentary landscape of central Argentina: The roles of forest clearing, rainfall variability, and seismic activity

  Contreras, S., C.S. Santoni, E.G. Jobbagy

• 2012 - Plant, Cell and EnvironmentMoreno-Gutierrez, C., G. Battipaglia, P. Cherebuni, M. Saurer, E. Nicolás, S. Contreras, J.I. Querejeta. 2012. Stand structure modulates the long-term vulnerability of Pinus halepensis to climatic drought in a semiarid Mediterranean ecosystem. Plant, Cell and Environment 35: 1026-1039X

  Stand structure modulates the long-term vulnerability of Pinus halepensis to climatic drought in a semiarid Mediterranean ecosystem

  Moreno-Gutierrez, C., G. Battipaglia, P. Cherebuni, M. Saurer, E. Nicolás, S. Contreras, J.I. Querejeta

• 2011 - Environmental Earth SciencesAlcalá, F.J., Y. Cantón, S. Contreras, A. Were, P. Serrano-Ortiz, J. Puigdefábregas, A. Solé-Benet, E. Custodio, F. Domingo. 2011. Diffuse and concentrated recharge evaluation using physical and tracer techniques: Results from a semiarid carbonate massif aquifer in southeastern Spain. Environmental Earth Sciences 62: 541-557X

  Diffuse and concentrated recharge evaluation using physical and tracer techniques: Results from a semiarid carbonate massif aquifer in southeastern Spain

  Alcalá, F.J., Y. Cantón, S. Contreras, A. Were, P. Serrano-Ortiz, J. Puigdefábregas, A. Solé-Benet, E. Custodio, F. Domingo

• 2011 - CatenaLi, X-Y., S. Contreras, A. Solé-Benet, Y. Cantón, F. Domingo, R. Lázaro, H. Lin, B. Van Wesemael, J. Puigdefábregas. 2011. Controls of infiltration-runoff processes in Mediterranean karst rangelands in SE Spain. Catena 86: 98-109X

  Controls of infiltration-runoff processes in Mediterranean karst rangelands in SE Spain

  Li, X-Y., S. Contreras, A. Solé-Benet, Y. Cantón, F. Domingo, R. Lázaro, H. Lin, B. Van Wesemael, J. Puigdefábregas

• 2011 - Journal of HydrologyContreras, S., E.G. Jobbagy, P.E. Villagra, M.D. Nosetto, J. Puigdefábregas. 2011. Remote sensing estimates of supplementary water consumption by arid ecosystems of central Argentina. Journal of Hydrology 397: 10-22X

  Remote sensing estimates of supplementary water consumption by arid ecosystems of central Argentina

  Contreras, S., E.G. Jobbagy, P.E. Villagra, M.D. Nosetto, J. Puigdefábregas

• 2010 - Water Resources ResearchSantoni, C.S., E.G. Jobbagy, S. Contreras. 2010. Vadose zone transport in dry forests of central Argentina: The role of land use. Water Resources Research 46: X

  Vadose zone transport in dry forests of central Argentina: The role of land use

  Santoni, C.S., E.G. Jobbagy, S. Contreras