Water balance of tropical eucalypt plantations in south-eastern China

Lane, Patrick; Morris, Jim; Zhang, Ningnan; Zhou, Guangzhu; Zhou, Guoyi; Xu, Dong

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2004.01.015

Cited by 75 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Lane et al (2004) described that in China, the expansion of Eucalyptus plantations on lands previously used for crops and occupied by indigenous trees and grass lowered water tables and reduced water availability for irrigation due to soil hydrophobicity (water repellency) and its deep and dense root network. Eucalyptus seedlings are vulnerable to severe water stress unlike the seedlings of indigenous deciduous tree species in Ethiopia (Gindaba et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

Chanie¹,

Collick²,

Adgo³

et al. 2013

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

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Abstract:Eucalyptus is the tree of choice for wood production by farmers in Ethiopia. Although there are many claims about its harmful effect on ecology and water availability, little actual research exists. The main objective of this study was, therefore, to study the extent of harm of Eucalyptus on the ecosystem. This study was conducted at the Koga Watershed near Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Twenty-five farmers were interviewed and a field experiment with three replications was carried out to quantify the effect of Eucalyptus on various soil physical and chemical properties and maize crop measurements and to compare bulk density, soil moisture contents, maize crop counts and shading effects in fields bordered by Eucalyptus and Croton macrostachyus. Our results show that Eucalyptus decreased both soil nutrients and maize yields within 20 m of the trees. Although moisture content was not affected during the monsoon, it decreased faster within 30 m of the Eucalyptus trees than elsewhere. Soils become water repellent, too. Local farmers' perception agreed with our experimental findings and indicated that Eucalyptus trees are exhausting the once productive land. They also reported that Eucalyptus dries up springs. Despite this, the growers insist on planting Eucalyptus because of its cash income.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

Chanie¹,

Collick²,

Adgo³

et al. 2013

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

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“…The rainfall observed here is similar to that recorded previously for the central plateau agro-ecological zone (Delepierre, 1982). Applying the unadjusted models of Whitehead and Beadle (2004) and Lane et al (2004), the annual difference between P and E tp was estimated to be -84.0 mm y -1 . This was obtained as follows: Rainfall = 1245 mm; average tree water consumption (E tp ) = 3 mm d -1 × 365 days y -1 = 1095 mm; E i (10% of P) = 124.5 mm; E u (10% of E tp ) = 109.5 mm.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eucalyptus trees are reported to use water in excess of supply from rainfall (Dye and Versfeld, 2007), thereby lowering water tables due to water extraction (Dye, 2013). They also reduce water availability for irrigation due to soil hydrophobocity (water repellence) of their litter and their deep and dense root network (Lane et al, 2004). Replacement of natural vegetation by the exotic eucalypts reduces biodiversity (Brokerhoff et al, 2013) and is said to prevent understorey vegetation growth by exhausting soil water and nutrient resources, which also may affect biodiversity negatively (Bouvet, 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of Eucalyptus in agroforestry systems of southern Rwanda : to integrate of segregate

Mugunga

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“…There are also concerns over the conversions of large areas of native forests and farmland to eucalyptus plantations, creating less diversity across the landscape and other negative impacts on the environment. Many ecological concerns have been raised regarding the extensive areas planted to eucalyptus, including whether there is adverse effects on floristic composition and species diversity [13]- [16], soil fertility [17], and local hydrology and water use [18] [19]. Large contiguous areas are more susceptible to disease and insects, such as the gall wasp.…”

Section: Environmental Concernsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigating Biodiversity Concerns in Eucalyptus Plantations Located in South China

Williams¹

2015

JBM

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China's growing economy and changes in policies that encourage afforestation, particularly in the industrial sector, have led vast areas in south China to be planted with eucalyptus. These large areas of eucalyptus plantings have elicited environmental concerns for two primary reasons. First there is a concern related to the water demand of eucalyptus, in which it is feared these large areas of eucalyptus will deplete aquifers and create shortages in water supplies. The second concern is in regard to the reduction in biodiversity across large landscapes, leading to further ecological demises. This paper proposes two ideas to possibly mitigate some of the biodiversity concerns. The first is the interplanting of alder-leaf birch (Betula alnoides), a native but dwindling species in south China, to enhance biodiversity and encourage it's reestablishment across the landscape. The second is to encourage retention harvests of alder-leaf birch planted within eucalyptus plantations to enhance not only biological diversity but also structural diversity across the landscape. Alder-leaf birch has demonstrated great potential in producing high quality timber and wood for use in furniture manufacturing.

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Water balance of tropical eucalypt plantations in south-eastern China

Cited by 75 publications

References 29 publications

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

Eco-hydrological impacts of Eucalyptus in the semi humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Lake Tana Plain

The use of Eucalyptus in agroforestry systems of southern Rwanda : to integrate of segregate

Mitigating Biodiversity Concerns in Eucalyptus Plantations Located in South China

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