Enhancing Ecosystem Services to Minimize Impact of Climate Variability in a Dry Tropical Forest with Vertisols

Maria Simas Guerreiro,Jacques Carvalho Ribeiro Ribeiro Filho,Helba Araújo De Queiroz Palácio,José Bandeira Brasil,Eunice Maia De Andrade

doi:10.3390/hydrology8010046

Maria Simas Guerreiro, Jacques Carvalho Ribeiro Ribeiro Filho + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8010046

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Abstract

Increased droughts and variable rainfall patterns may alter the capacity to provide ecosystem services, such as biomass production and clean water provision. The impact of these factors in a semi-arid region, especially on a dry tropical forest with Vertisols and under different land uses such as regenerated vegetation and thinned vegetation, is still unclear. This study analyzes hydrologic processes under precipitation pulses and intra-seasonal droughts, and suggests management practices for ecosystem services improvement. A local 43-year dataset showed a varying climate with a decrease in number of small events, and an increase in the number of dry days and in event rainfall intensity, in two catchments with different land use patterns and with Vertisols, a major soil order in semi-arid tropics. The onset of runoff depends on the expansive characteristics of the soil rather than land use, as dry spells promote micro-cracks that delay the runoff process. Forest thinning enhances groundcover development and is a better management practice for biomass production. This management practice shows a lower water yield when compared to a regenerated forest, supporting the decision of investing in forest regeneration in order to attend to an increasing water storage demand.

Highlights

Semi-arid regions, with an aridity index between 0.2 and 0.5, comprise 37%(22.6 × 106 km2 ) of total dryland area, which accounts for 41% of the world’s land surface [1] and half of total dryland expansion [2]
Climate change scenarios suggest an increase in temperature, a reduction in rainfall and an increase in consecutive dry days, promoting an increase in dry spells and droughts [3,4]
The objective of this study is to propose best management practices that improve ecosystem services and minimize the effects of climate variability on seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs) with Vertisols in semi-arid regions

Summary

Introduction

(22.6 × 106 km2 ) of total dryland area, which accounts for 41% of the world’s land surface [1] and half of total dryland expansion [2]. These regions are home to 14% of the world’s population and their sustainability depends, besides other factors, on the scarce water availability. Human establishment in these areas demands the constant availability of water resources that compete with ecosystem maintenance requirements. The integrated management of water resources may improve the quality of living and sustain ecosystems, given the appropriate strategies and guidelines for water management

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