Fewer Rain Forests Mean Less Energy for Developing Nations, Study Finds
Fewer Rain Forests Mean Less Energy for Developing Nations, Study Finds
By FELICITY BARRINGER
Published: May 13, 2013
The loss of tropical rain forests is likely to reduce the energy output of hydroelectric projects in countries like Brazil that are investing billions of dollars to create power to support economic growth.
That is the conclusion of a group of experts whose findings, released Monday, run counter to the conventional understanding of deforestation’s impact on watersheds.
For years, scientists and engineers have noted an increase in river flows when the trees along streams are removed. The water in the soil, which would otherwise have been taken up by the tree roots and sent into the atmosphere, instead moves directly into streams and rivers.
At the same time, large areas of tropical forest actually create rain clouds as moisture from their leaves evaporates. So the elimination of swaths of these forests decreases rainfall. Cut down enough trees, the scientists argue, and the indirect impact of lost rainfall outweighs the direct impact of removing trees.
More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/14/science/earth/study-finds-loss-of-rain-forests-can-deplete-hydropower.html?_r=0
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