Hemlock Forest Declination Linked to Water Resources

Research by Indiana University geographers and 3 universities in Massachusetts discovered the increase in water resources due to declination of hemlock forests declination caused by an insect infestation.

The observed the flow of water in streams, looking for changes in the health of hemlock trees, as well as the changes in the evapotranspiration cycle.

The hemlock woolly adelgid is infesting the forests and damaging them. Consequently, the amount of water which enters the streams and rivers has increased.

The hemlock woolly adelgid is a pest which feeds on the twigs of hemlock, near the base of the foliage. 

Since the insect damages the trees, they do not use as much water so it goes in the ground. Similarly, less foliage results in less transpiration and evaporation so less water returns to the atmosphere.

Evaporation and transpiration decreased between 24 and 37% in the period of the last 10 years.

The increase of 15% in water resources due to hemlock trees decline has been recorded.

However, since the water runs off more quickly, carrying more nutrients, the water quality may worsen.

Replacing the hemlock trees with broad-leaved ones could overcome this issue.

The scientists have yet to discover whether the increase in water resources is long-term as the hemlock trees may simply be replaced with other species.

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Taxonomy

• Water Quality
• Ecosystem Management
• Ecology
• Groundwater
• Ecosystem Management
• Water Resources
• Forest Biodiversity
• Evaporation
• Forest Ecosystems
• Forest

1 Comment

1. Very interesting. It is amazing how something so small can have such a huge impact on water.