Read ScienceDaily’s article Forests are the Key to Fresh Water: Both forest vegetation and climate change have an impact on water supply published December 7, 2017.
Summary: Freshwater resources are critical to both human civilization and natural ecosystems, but researchers have discovered that changes to ground vegetation can have as much of an impact on global water resources as climate change.
“Our simulations show that the average global alteration in annual water flow due to vegetation change is as high as 31 per cent. Our results also show that on average, in 51 per cent of the study area, vegetation change and climate change operate together and can lead to either fewer water resources, meaning higher chances of drought, or an increase in water supply and higher chances of devastating floods.” These findings have far-reaching implications for assessing and managing future global water resources, says Wei.
Citing: University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. “Forests are the key to fresh water: Both forest vegetation and climate change have an impact on water supply.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 7 December 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171207095007.htm>.