Part 2: Exploring the metrics from the 2014 study, Trends in water balance components across the Brazilian Cerrado." Water Resources Research, 50(9), 7100-7114
These are remarkable results. A couple questions: when you say reforestation, is it plantation style planting of one or two species, or something more complex? Also, is there a seasonal component? For instance, in the Western Mediterranean Basin, Millan discovered three sources of moisture--winter rains from the Atlantic, fall/winter rains from cyclogenesis over the Mediterranean, and summer storms in the mountains generated by sea breezes triggered by inland vegetation. It was the summer storms the land disturbance most affected. He wanted to address that deficit with reforestation and as you've written, that looks to be happening in the Valencia region.
The study on the water balance components across the Brazilian Cerrado, as presented above, covers the period from 2003 to 2010. This study utilized remotely sensed data, including precipitation estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), evapotranspiration data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and terrestrial water storage measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE).
1. Reforestation Type:
When discussing reforestation in the context of this study, it does not refer to a simplistic, plantation-style planting of one or two species. Instead, it points to a more complex, ecologically sensitive approach that takes into account the diverse vegetation types characteristic of the Cerrado biome. The Cerrado is a mosaic of different landscapes, ranging from grasslands to dense woodlands, each with distinct plant species and densities. This diversity suggests that reforestation efforts would likely aim to restore a variety of native species that reflect the natural biodiversity of the region. Thus, rather than focusing on monoculture plantations, reforestation in the Cerrado would involve planting a mix of species to mimic the original ecosystem composition, supporting ecological balance and resilience.
2. Seasonal Component:
The study highlights a strong seasonal component to the water balance and evapotranspiration (ET) in the Cerrado. The region experiences a wet season from October to March, characterized by higher precipitation and increased ET rates, followed by a dry season from April to September, where rainfall significantly decreases and ET rates are lower. These seasonal variations critically influence water storage, runoff, and the overall hydrological dynamics of the Cerrado.
In comparison to Millán’s findings in the Western Mediterranean Basin, where moisture sources vary seasonally—winter rains from the Atlantic, fall/winter rains from Mediterranean cyclogenesis, and summer storms driven by sea breezes and inland vegetation—the Cerrado also exhibits notable seasonal water dynamics. Millán found that summer storms, significantly affected by land disturbance, were crucial in the Mediterranean. Similarly, in the Cerrado, maintaining or enhancing natural vegetation cover through reforestation could influence ET and potentially local climate patterns, suggesting that vegetation plays a pivotal role in regulating seasonal water availability and rainfall patterns.
Therefore, reforestation in the Cerrado is likely more complex than simple monoculture plantations, aiming instead to restore diverse native vegetation. Moreover, the region's water balance and ET are highly seasonal, influencing hydrological and ecological processes, much like the seasonal moisture patterns described by Millán for the Western Mediterranean Basin.
That would need to be seen in light of land use changes. If the reforestation continued it should still have a positive impact. On the other hand deforestation would negatively impact it.
These are remarkable results. A couple questions: when you say reforestation, is it plantation style planting of one or two species, or something more complex? Also, is there a seasonal component? For instance, in the Western Mediterranean Basin, Millan discovered three sources of moisture--winter rains from the Atlantic, fall/winter rains from cyclogenesis over the Mediterranean, and summer storms in the mountains generated by sea breezes triggered by inland vegetation. It was the summer storms the land disturbance most affected. He wanted to address that deficit with reforestation and as you've written, that looks to be happening in the Valencia region.
The study on the water balance components across the Brazilian Cerrado, as presented above, covers the period from 2003 to 2010. This study utilized remotely sensed data, including precipitation estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), evapotranspiration data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and terrestrial water storage measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE).
1. Reforestation Type:
When discussing reforestation in the context of this study, it does not refer to a simplistic, plantation-style planting of one or two species. Instead, it points to a more complex, ecologically sensitive approach that takes into account the diverse vegetation types characteristic of the Cerrado biome. The Cerrado is a mosaic of different landscapes, ranging from grasslands to dense woodlands, each with distinct plant species and densities. This diversity suggests that reforestation efforts would likely aim to restore a variety of native species that reflect the natural biodiversity of the region. Thus, rather than focusing on monoculture plantations, reforestation in the Cerrado would involve planting a mix of species to mimic the original ecosystem composition, supporting ecological balance and resilience.
2. Seasonal Component:
The study highlights a strong seasonal component to the water balance and evapotranspiration (ET) in the Cerrado. The region experiences a wet season from October to March, characterized by higher precipitation and increased ET rates, followed by a dry season from April to September, where rainfall significantly decreases and ET rates are lower. These seasonal variations critically influence water storage, runoff, and the overall hydrological dynamics of the Cerrado.
In comparison to Millán’s findings in the Western Mediterranean Basin, where moisture sources vary seasonally—winter rains from the Atlantic, fall/winter rains from Mediterranean cyclogenesis, and summer storms driven by sea breezes and inland vegetation—the Cerrado also exhibits notable seasonal water dynamics. Millán found that summer storms, significantly affected by land disturbance, were crucial in the Mediterranean. Similarly, in the Cerrado, maintaining or enhancing natural vegetation cover through reforestation could influence ET and potentially local climate patterns, suggesting that vegetation plays a pivotal role in regulating seasonal water availability and rainfall patterns.
Therefore, reforestation in the Cerrado is likely more complex than simple monoculture plantations, aiming instead to restore diverse native vegetation. Moreover, the region's water balance and ET are highly seasonal, influencing hydrological and ecological processes, much like the seasonal moisture patterns described by Millán for the Western Mediterranean Basin.
You can download the study here: https://files.oaiusercontent.com/file-2cnUvDED7tTgIkyejVeb3bxL?se=2024-09-02T05%3A00%3A49Z&sp=r&sv=2024-08-04&sr=b&rscc=max-age%3D299%2C%20immutable%2C%20private&rscd=attachment%3B%20filename%3DWater%2520Resources%2520Research%2520-%25202014%2520-%2520Oliveira%2520-%2520Trends%2520in%2520water%2520balance%2520components%2520across%2520the%2520Brazilian%2520Cerrado_2.pdf&sig=oGHeffSyjkRwHZ6hupx0xgK90wQu7g0a6Cl4LWPF5r8%3D
Thank you, Ali. That's all very encouraging. Your link didn't work, however.
Check this one out. https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2013WR015202#
That would need to be seen in light of land use changes. If the reforestation continued it should still have a positive impact. On the other hand deforestation would negatively impact it.
Interesting, but the paper is 10 years old. Is bioprecipitation still improved in the Cerrado?
DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15712