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dam-l Tree plantations and runoff/LS



The following info is from http://www.soft.co.za/sawac/
It shows how tree plantations reduce runoff.

Does Mono Culture Tree Plantations influence water runoff ?

Consider the Mariepskop example.

The Klaserie River originates at Mariepskop.

The water measurements were taken where the river crosses the road between
Tzaneen and Nelspruit, beneath the mountain.

All that has changed between 1935 and 1964 was a progressive establishment
of mono culture tree plantations in the catchment area.



Mean Annual Rainfall : Mariepskop forestry station (mm)
 Mean Annual Run Off : Klaserie River Mariepskop (m2)
        1935 - 1964

PERIOD          RAINFALL (MM)   RUN OFF (M3)


1935-40         1 729                   143.07 x 106

1941-45         1 122                   48.72 x 106

1946-50         1 332                   38.43 x 106

1955-60         2 060                   28.72 x 106

1961-64         1 308                   16.58 x 106



Source :  Van der Schyff H.P. & Schoonraad, E., 1971

"The Flora of Mariepskop"  Bothalia 10(3) 461 - 500

Thanks to Prof. Braam van Wyk (UP) for supplying this information.


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      Lori Pottinger, Director, Southern Africa Program,
        and Editor, World Rivers Review
           International Rivers Network
              1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703, USA
                  Tel. (510) 848 1155   Fax (510) 848 1008
                        http://www.irn.org
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