Deforestation and afforestation both significantly impact the hydrologic cycle, but in opposite ways. Here's how each process alters it:
Deforestation, the removal of forests or trees, disrupts the hydrologic cycle in several ways:
Afforestation, or the process of planting trees in areas where there were none, or reforesting areas, can help restore or modify the hydrologic cycle in several beneficial ways:
Aspect | Deforestation | Afforestation |
---|---|---|
Evapotranspiration | Decreased, reducing atmospheric moisture | Increased, enhancing atmospheric moisture |
Surface Runoff | Increased, leading to floods and erosion | Decreased, stabilizing water flow |
Groundwater Recharge | Reduced, lowering aquifer levels | Enhanced, improving groundwater availability |
Local Climate | Drier, with potential desertification | Cooler, moister, and potentially increased rainfall |
Water Quality | Degraded due to erosion and sediment runoff | Improved, with reduced sediment and nutrient flow |
Stream Flow | Irregular, with increased flooding risk | Stabilized, reducing extreme flow variations |