Photo: Earth.org
China has successfully implemented one of the most extensive ecological initiatives in human history, turning vast areas green. However, recent scientific studies show that this "green revolution" has serious side effects. Zamin.uz introduces the unexpected consequences of this massive project and the alarming conclusions of scientists.
A forest the size of Algeria: 78 billion trees
Wirtualna Polska reports that since the 1980s, China has managed to plant nearly 78 billion new trees. The total area of this afforestation is equal to the territory of Algeria, a large African nation. However, analyses by scientists from Tianjin, Utrecht, and China Agricultural University show that the famous "Great Green Wall" is negatively affecting the natural water balance.
Where is the water disappearing? The danger of evapotranspiration
Scientific explanation
Researchers believe that water resources have sharply declined in the northwestern and eastern regions, which cover 74 percent of the country. The main reason cited is the intensification of the evapotranspiration process in the newly established forests.
For information: Evapotranspiration is the sum of water evaporation from the soil surface and moisture released by plants.
As a result of this process, the accumulated moisture moves away from densely populated Eastern China toward the Tibetan Plateau. Although the conversion of former grasslands into forests has increased rainfall, it has worsened the overall water balance and caused drinking water shortages.
The situation in Northern China: High population, low water
Today, 46 percent of China's population lives in the northern part of the country, but this region accounts for only 20 percent of total water reserves. New forests are further deepening the existing water scarcity problem.
In their conclusions, scientists urge the government to carefully consider the hydrological cycle when developing future afforestation programs. Otherwise, entire regions could be deprived of agricultural and drinking water.
Dear readers, do you think planting trees is the only solution to environmental problems, or is it necessary to consider other laws of nature? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Follow the most interesting and important news in the world on Zamin.uz .
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
