Hydrological effects of forest plantation clear-cut on water availability: Consequences for downstream water users

Author(s)

Garcia, Lara Gabrielle ^[1] ; Salemi, Luiz Felippe ^[2] ; Lima, Walter de Paula ^[1] ; de Barros Ferraz, Silvio Frosini ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Forest Sci Dept, BR-13400900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Brasilia UnB, Planaltina Fac, BR-73345010 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES; v. 19, p. 17-24, OCT 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Study Region: Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Study Focus: This study assessed the influence of forest plantations on streamflow in a gauged catchment (85 ha), covered with fast-growing Eucalyptus sp. plantations. One strategy for reducing the effects of plantations on streamflow is to reduce the area of a catchment occupied by forest, and in this context, our objectives were to simulate the effects on streamflow of different proportions of forest cover (70%, 50% and 0% of the forest cover). Moreover, we used low-flow indices (Q90 and 7Q10) to examine the effects of such scenarios on water availability for downstream users. New Hydrological Insights: Fast-growing forest plantation areas have been expanding globally, with simultaneously increasing concerns about the water consumption of these forests, especially in water-limited regions with consequences for downstream users. Simulations of scenarios with varying forest cover proportions showed an annual streamflow increase of 90% when clear-cutting had removed the forest cover in the catchment. The 100% forest cover scenario produced rates of streamflow below the low flow indices, resulting in less water availability for downstream water users. The reduction in forest cover proportion at the catchment scale promoted an attenuation of water use. Therefore, forest plantation management should adopt management strategies such as regulating the forest cover proportion to minimize the effects on water supply for downstream water users. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/02877-5 - Impact of climate change on the hydrologic regime of streams in Southeastern Brazil
• Grantee: Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Regular Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/07428-3 - Multi-scale assessment of mosaic clear-cutting effects on stream flow regime in forest plantation areas
• Grantee: Lara Gabrielle Garcia
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master