Modeling Reforestation’s Role in Climate-Proofing Watersheds from Flooding and Soil Erosion

Abstract

The mitigation potential of reforestation for offsetting the deleterious effects of increased flooding and soil erosion projected to occur in Atlantic Canada through future climate change was investigated. Modelling determined a strong but non-linear relationship between extent of vegetative cover and runoff volume and discharge rate for a Nova Scotian watershed, suggesting that reforestation will reduce, but not completely prevent, flooding. Predicted erosion rates were found to be progressively reduced in relation to the extent of upland reforestation. Of three scenarios examined in which 60%, 65%, and 85% of the entire watershed are randomly reforested, only the latter would reduce the elevated erosion expected to occur through climate change back to present-day existing levels. Additional modelling revealed that comparable mitigation of soil erosion can ensue through implementation of 70 m streamside buffer strips, which would only take up 19% of the total surface area. Prioritizing riparian zones for reforestation will therefore subsume less of the overall productive land area and therefore enact a less severe socioeconomic impact on agriculture and forestry.

Climate Change Predictions of Increased Watershed Flow in Atlantic Canada: Implications for Surface Water Vulnerability and Ameliorative Land Use Planning and Management

“…Reforesting riparian buffers is recognized to be an important tool in overall watershed restoration (Williams, 1997). And Capron et al (2013) will probably R. L. France, P. W. Aitchison be proven correct in their prediction that over the next century riparian zones will become the "hotspots" for research and management concerning adaptation to climate change, as supported by another modeling by us (France et al, 2019).…”

Density variability of COVID-19 face mask litter: A cautionary tale for pandemic PPE waste monitoring

“…Face masks were sampled from parking lots in Truro, a town in Nova Scotia (Canada) at the head of the Bay of Fundy, which, due to its low-lying coastal location, is susceptible to frequent flooding ( Patton 2005 ; France et al 2019 ). Sampling took place during the overwinter period from November 2021 to April 2022, at a time when the wearing of face masks was compulsory for admittance to all public buildings in the province.…”

Current Trends and Future Perspectives of Integrated Watershed Management

“…However, these characteristics were discovered to be caused by forest litter and favourable soil conditions rather than by forest vegetation itself (Ice and Stednick 2004). While reforestation practices can have beneficial impacts, they are not sufficient to completely prevent flooding (France et al 2019). Ensuring the prevention of slope failures is crucial for preserving the flood mitigation capability of forest ecosystems (Tamai 2022).…”