Research Spotlight: Rivers rebound as woodlands replace degraded grasslands

Abstract

The results of a new study suggest that contrary to previous belief, streamflow can increase when grasslands convert to woodlands.Wilcox and Huang studied trends in the base flow (water supplied by groundwater and springs) and stormflow (water from flood events) components of streamflow of four major rivers in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas over the past 85 years. Before 1890 the Edwards Plateau region was mainly grassland. From the late 1800s to about 1960, severe overgrazing degraded the land, resulting in loss of vegetation. Since about 1960, the land has been recovering and woody plants have been taking over what had been grasslands.