Afforestation Reduced the Deep Profile Soil Water Sustainability on the Semiarid Loess Plateau

Ge, Fengchi; Xu, Mingxiang; Chen, Gong; Zhang, Jianle

doi:10.2139/ssrn.4385419

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Afforestation substantially alters ecosystem processes, including water and energy fluxes between the land and atmosphere. Tree establishment in previously grass-dominated areas increases transpiration, which may lower water tables and reduce stream flows (Jackson et al 2005;Ge et al 2023). Increased transpiration results from the deeper rooting depth, higher leaf area index, and lower albedo-solar radiation reflected from tree canopies-of trees as compared to other vegetation types.…”

Section: Negative Ecological Outcomes Of Rangeland Afforestationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rangeland afforestation is not a natural climate solution

Briske,

Vetter,

Coetsee

et al. 2024

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Large‐scale tree planting on global rangelands is promoted as a natural climate solution (NCS), but there is little scientific evidence to support this narrative. The presumed benefits of rangeland afforestation originate from five major misconceptions: (1) conflation between reforestation and afforestation, (2) overestimation of carbon (C) sequestration potential, (3) insufficient recognition of rangeland ecosystem services, (4) potential for adverse ecological outcomes, and (5) neocolonial tendencies of afforestation programs. Rangeland afforestation possesses minimal potential for additional C storage, but it has high potential to reduce vital rangeland ecosystem services that benefit rangeland residents and non‐residents alike. Conservation of existing C—most of which is stored belowground, where it is less vulnerable to loss—may prove to be the most appropriate NCS for extensively managed rangelands. Stewardship strategies promoting rangeland multifunctionality will not only contribute to climate‐change mitigation but also support biodiversity conservation and sustainable production of high‐protein foods for marginalized populations.

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Section: Negative Ecological Outcomes Of Rangeland Afforestationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2005; Ge et al . 2023). Increased transpiration results from the deeper rooting depth, higher leaf area index, and lower albedo—solar radiation reflected from tree canopies—of trees as compared to other vegetation types.…”

Section: Negative Ecological Outcomes Of Rangeland Afforestationmentioning

confidence: 99%