Afforestation in China: The Role of Integrated Watershed Management
River Liu, MLWS 2023
This study explores the complex relationship between afforestation and water supply, addressing its impacts on local water resources. Afforestation, often seen as a land remediation strategy, doesn't uniformly benefit water supply due to factors like tree species and local variations. For instance, non-native deep-rooted trees tend to consume more water, potentially lowering groundwater levels and affecting local water supplies. Large-scale afforestation initiatives can escalate water deficits and inter-area competition for resources, impacting both local and watershed water supply.
The study proposes Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) as a framework to mitigate adverse impacts on water resources. Integrating IWM principles into afforestation projects offers a pathway to strike a balance between expanding forest cover and ensuring sustainable water management. This approach underscores the need to harmonize afforestation efforts with water resource sustainability, advocating for a holistic approach that considers the intricate relationship between afforestation and local water supplies.
