E
cosystem
servicesdelivered
Provisioning
Regulation & maintenance
Cultural
Abiotic
C
ontribution
topolicyobjectives
Water Framework Directive
Floods Directive
Birds & Habitats Directive
2020 Biodiversity Strategy
P
otential
biophysicaleffects
Runoff
Reducing pollution
Soil conservation
Habitat
Climate Change
High
Low
Medium
None
The overall goal of this measure is to restore and
enhance regional precipitation
by altering regional weather patterns. Trees are able to increase evapotranspiration rates
above levels possible from bare ground. If successful, this measure will contribute to
climate change mitigation.
An increase in summer rainfall events will contribute to
groundwater and aquifer recharge, potentially improving the quantitative status of groundwaters. Tree cover can also
improve soil structure
through increased accumulation
of organic matter and improvements to soil permeability, leading to greater infiltration and increased soil water retention.
Afforestation has the potential to
reduce erosion
and sediment delivery (through root networks) and to reduce the energy of precipitation reaching the soil surface, thereby
reducing the rate at which sediments are detached from parent materials and made available for transport.
Targeted tree planting has a high potential for natural
biomass production
, which should be used as part of a strategy for
carbon sequestration
. It also has the potential
to preserve or improve biodiversity by providing habitat types used by endemic species. Furthermore, wetter summers may leave vegetation in the region less susceptible to
fire
,
which will also contribute to prevention of biodiversity loss.
