Final answer:
Groundwater shortages can be caused by overpumping, excessive use of surface water, and climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groundwater shortages can be caused by various factors. One of the main reasons is overpumping of groundwater from wells, which leads to a drop in the water table. This is known as groundwater mining and can result in the depletion of regional water tables. Additionally, excessive use of water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs can also contribute to groundwater shortages. Climate change and melting glaciers associated with global warming further aggravate the problem. Saltwater intrusion, subsidence, and sinkholes are other issues that can arise due to groundwater shortages.