Trees in African drylands contribute to deep soil and groundwater recharge

Climate-change projections indicate that West Africa will experience an increase in the number of extreme rainfall events in the 21st century. Results from a study carried out by scientists from SLU, World Agroforestry (ICRAF), and Université de Ouagadougou, suggest that tree cover is key not only to increase soil and groundwater recharge but also to avoiding escalated land degradation. In absence of trees, there is a higher risk for rainfall to be lost either through evaporation or overland flow. In contrast, when trees are present, rainfall is more likely to infiltrate into the soil and contribute to deep soil and groundwater recharge.

Read the full media release (World Agroforestry web page)

The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) and the Swedish Research Council Formas.