Hydrological services in the Cerrado-Atlantic Forest transition region

Author(s)

Bruna Santos Lopes

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2024-03-15

Examining board members

Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz; Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion; Carolina Bozetti Rodrigues; Solange Filoso Williams

• Advisor: Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz

Abstract

Worldwide, the increase in native vegetation coverage is driven by ecosystem restoration goals promoted by the United Nations. In Brazil alone, the goal is to restore and promote the natural recovery of 12 million hectares of forests by 2030. However, biomass and forest structure recover more quickly than ecosystem functions. Therefore, the success of these projects is measured through sequestered carbon or established biodiversity. Despite their importance, little is said about the recovery of hydrological functions in restoration and the provision of water services, such as supplying local water demands. For this reason, the main objective of this study was to analyze hydrological services related to water provision and regulation and soil protection in restored forests along a topographic gradient. For this purpose, three experimental plots were delineated at the Itatinga Experimental Forest Science Station (EECFI). Two plots were in a 46-year-old secondary forest that regenerated naturally in two different topographic positions (46W and 46D), and a third plot was in a 14-year-old forest where restoration was implemented with seedling planting (14A). The forest structure and composition were evaluated in each plot, and an automatic weather station recorded data such as relative humidity, average temperature, and photosynthetically active radiation. Hydrological processes were measured or calculated biweekly for one year, including transpiration, canopy interception, evapotranspiration, and water surplus. The results showed that differences in hydrological services among the study plots were primarily due to differences in forest structure. Lower structure indicators resulted in lower evapotranspiration and higher water surplus, indicating a greater water provision service. On the other hand, a more developed forest canopy structure influenced canopy interception, indicating a higher soil protection service. Hydrological regulation service was not significantly different between forests and topographic positions, suggesting that soil and regional climatic seasonality may influence results more than differences in vegetation structure and composition. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/09086-1 - Hydrological services along topographic gradient in Cerrado-Atlantic Forest transition regions
• Grantee: Bruna Santos Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master