Regional patterns and controls of ecosystem salinization with grassland afforestation along a rainfall gradient
Date
2008
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Abstract
In this study, salinization occurred rapidly where rainfall was insufficient to meet the water requirements of tree plantations, and where groundwater use compensated for this deficit, it was the driving factor for salt accumulation in the ecosystem. Vegetation change affects water fluxes, and influences the direction and intensity of salt exchange between ecosystems and groundwater. It can lead to an intense accumulation of salts in soils and aquifers, as evidenced in conversion from native grassland to tree plantation. An understanding of the vegetation-groundwater relationship helps predict and manage the consequences of groundwater use from stand to regional levels of analysis.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, SALINE SOIL, AQUIFERS, HYDROGEOLOGY, LAND USE CHANGE, TEMPERATE ZONE, SOUTH AMERICA, PLAINS, GRASSLANDS, AFFORESTATION