Code
F05
Sector
Forest
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary

Land use conversion is a general term for large scale geographic change. Afforestation is one such land conversion in which trees are planted on previously non forested areas. Afforestation may occur deliberately or through the abandonment of marginal agricultural land. Depending on the tree species planted and the intensity of forest management, afforestation may have more or less environmental benefits. The NWRM related benefits include potentially enhanced evapotranspiration associated with growing forests and better water holding capacity associated with forest soils. The greatest environmental benefits are probably associated with planting of indigenous broadleaves and low intensity forestry. Plantation forestry with exotic species is likely to be less beneficial to the environment. It should be mentioned that afforestation in dry areas can cause or intensify water shortage. Even though afforestation may reduce available water supply at local scale, forest cover increases water supply regionally and globally, in particular through the intensification of the water cycle.

Illustration(s)

Afforestation of a hill

Source: Gebhard Schueler’s presentation, NWRM Workshop 1

 

Possible benefits with level
Benefits Level
BP1 - Store runoff
High
BP2 - Slow runoff
High
BP5 - Increase evapotranspiration
High
BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge
High
BP7 - Increase soil water retention
Medium
BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources
High
BP9 - Intercept pollution pathways
High
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
High
BP11 - Improve soils
Medium
BP12 - Create aquatic habitat
Medium
BP13 - Create riparian habitat
Low
BP14 - Create terrestrial habitats
High
BP15 - Enhance precipitation
Low
BP16 - Reduce peak temperature
High
BP17 - Absorb and/or retain CO2
High
ES1 - Water storage
High
ES2 - Fish stocks and recruiting
Medium
ES3 - Natural biomass production
High
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
High
ES5 - Climate change adaptation and mitigation
High
ES6 - Groundwater/aquifer recharge
High
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
High
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
High
ES10 - Recreational opportunities
High
ES11 - Aesthetic/cultural value
High
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
Low
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
Low
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
Low
PO4 - Improving chemical status and priority substances
Medium
PO5 - Improving quantitative status
Medium
PO6 - Improving chemical status
Medium
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
Medium
PO8 - Prevent groundwater status deterioration
Medium
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
High
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
Medium
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
Medium
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
Low
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
Medium

Case studies per NWRM