would there be any difference between and irrigated forest with healthy top soil and open irrigated crop area's. I guess evapo-transpiration and sub-soil water balance will be very different. In other words; would a comparison with a forest and an irrigated open agricultural area be interesting to compare? has this been done?

Published by Stefan J. Flos, waterTv.nl - Consultant - Managing Director at SJF projects & support / h2video.nl

would there be any difference between and irrigated forest with healthy top soil and open irrigated crop area's. I guess evapo-transpiration and sub-soil water balance will be very different. In other words; would a comparison with a forest and an irrigated open agricultural area be interesting to compare? has this been done? 

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I think the differences between forest and agricultural area will be very large. Some forests are known to create their own micro-climate, living (partly) on their own transpiration. Also take into account that agricultural area is harvested every year or even more frequent, so that the soil is bare for a couple of months. I would have to dive into my study material to find out what the effects will be, but I think it is very interesting to find out!

A recent study in Canada showed that when forest is cut (or in the case of the study, killed by beetles) the groundwater replenishment decreased due to more evaporation, caused by more sunlight, higher temperatures and more wind.

 

 

Published by Berend van der Zwaan, Hydrologist at Eelerwoude

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