Reforestation: soil degradation and water impacts

If not properly implemented, reforestation to restore degraded forest ecosystems and increase carbon storage can result in monocultures, leading to loss of soil productivity and fertility, soil acidification and erosion, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, some tree species can reduce stream flows by consuming more water than native tree species, lowering the water table.

Nº 127

Southern China

  • Climate & Atmosphere
  • AFOLU Emission Reduction
  • Afforestation/Reforestation
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made

None

Reforestation: soil degradation and water impacts

If not properly implemented, reforestation to restore degraded forest ecosystems and increase carbon storage can result in monocultures, leading to loss of soil productivity and fertility, soil acidification and erosion, and loss of biodiversity. In addition, some tree species can reduce stream flows by consuming more water than native tree species, lowering the water table.

Eucalyptus urophylla plantations in southern China have been shown to consume more water than other natural forests, potentially lowering water tables, depleting soil moisture and reducing stream flows in the region.

  • Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem
  • Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)


Morris, J. I. M., Ningnan, Z., Zengjiang, Y., Collopy, J., & Daping, X. (2004). Water use by fast-growing Eucalyptus urophylla plantations in southern China. Tree Physiology, 24(9), 1035-1044. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/24.9.1035

Iberdrola. (n.d.). Reforestation as an option for reversing deforestation. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.iberdrola.com/sustainability/what-is-reforestation

Liu, C. L. C., Kuchma, O., & Krutovsky, K. V. (2018). Mixed-species versus monocultures in plantation forestry: Development, benefits, ecosystem services and perspectives for the future. Global Ecology and conservation, 15, e00419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00419 

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