Hydrologic consequences of land cover change in central Argentina

dc.contributor.authorNosetto, M.D.
dc.contributor.authorJobbágy, E.G.
dc.contributor.authorBrizuela, A.G.
dc.contributor.authorJackson, R.B.
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-24T21:37:37Z
dc.date.available2011-10-24T21:37:37Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractVegetation exerts a strong control on water balance and key hydrological variables like evapotranspiration. water yield or even the flooded area may result severely affected by vegetation changes. Particularly, transitions between tree- and herbaceous-dominated covers, which are taking place at increasing rates in South America, may have the greates.t impact on the water balance. Based on Landsat imagery analysis, soil sampling and hydrological modeling, we evaluated vapor and liquid ecosystem water fluxes and soil moisture changes in temperate Argentina and provided a useful framework to assess potential hydrological impacts of vegetation cover changes. Two types of native vegetation (grasslands and forests) and three modified covers (eucalyptus plantations. single soybean crop and wheat/soybean rotation) were considered in the analysis. Despite contrasting structural differences, native forests and eucalyptus plantations displayed evapotranspiration values remarkably similar ( -1100 mm y- 1) and significantly higher than herbaceous vegetation covers ( -780, - 670 and - 800 mm y-1 for grasslands, soybean and wheat/soybean (Triticum aestivum L, Glycine max L.) system, respectively. In agreement with evapotranspiration estimates, soil profiles to a depth of 3m were significantly drier in woody covers (31m3 m-3) compared to native grasslands (39m3 m-3 ). soybean (38.5 m3 m- 3) and wheat/soybean rotation (35m3 m-3 ). Liquid water fluxes (deep drainage+ surface runoff) were at least doubied in herbaceous covers. as suggested by modeling( - 170 mmy-1 and -357 mm y- 1. for woody and herbaceous covers. respectively). Our analysis revealed the hydrological outcomes of different vegetation changes trajectories and provided valuable tools that will help to anticipate likely impacts, minimize uncertainties and provide a solid base for sustainable land use planning.en
dc.identifier.issn0167-8809
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10625/47371
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevieren
dc.subjectWATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENTen
dc.subjectLAND USE CHANGEen
dc.subjectWATER YIELDen
dc.subjectEVAPOTRANSPIRATIONen
dc.subjectDRY FORESTSen
dc.subjectLANDSATen
dc.subjectWATER MANAGEMENTen
dc.subjectWATER SECURITYen
dc.titleHydrologic consequences of land cover change in central Argentinaen
dc.typeJournal Article (peer-reviewed)en
idrc.dspace.accessIDRC Onlyen
idrc.noaccessDue to copyright restrictions the full text of this research output is not available in the IDRC Digital Library or by request from the IDRC Library. / Compte tenu des restrictions relatives au droit d'auteur, le texte intégral de cet extrant de recherche n'est pas accessible dans la Bibliothèque numérique du CRDI, et il n'est pas possible d'en faire la demande à la Bibliothéque du CRDI.en
idrc.project.componentnumber104783001
idrc.project.number104783
idrc.project.titleLand Use, Biofuels and Rural Development in the La Plata Basin (Latin America)en
idrc.rims.adhocgroupIDRC SUPPORTEDen

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