What happens if no water replenishes a region where groundwater has been depleted?

When groundwater in a region has been depleted and no water is available to replenish it, the landscape will likely transform towards becoming a desert. This occurs because groundwater is an essential component of maintaining surface water and supporting vegetation. Without sufficient water replenishment, moisture that previously supported plants and habitats will diminish, leading to the loss of vegetation.

As the vegetation dies off, the soil becomes dry and less fertile. With diminished greenery and moisture, the area can no longer sustain a lush ecosystem, resulting in the formation of a desert environment characterized by sparse vegetation, dry conditions, and sand or rock formations. Such changes can lead to increased erosion and altered local climate conditions, further reinforcing the establishment of desert-like characteristics.

In contrast, the other options involve scenarios where water would still exist or would be present in some form, which contradicts the situation of groundwater depletion.