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permaculture - Re: [permaculture] "thirsty " trees....

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  • From: <permed@nor.com.au>
  • To: <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] "thirsty " trees....
  • Date: Wed, 4 Sep 02 17:04:20 -0000

>I have been surprised to read references from Australia blaming the
>ABSENCE of trees for RAISED ground water levels, because all other
>references accredit the PRESENCE of trees with raising the water level.
> I can't pretend to understand the mechanics of either of these
>assumptions, at least that's what I believe they are.

This phenomena is associated with soil salting in inland areas of
Australia. Previous open forest maintained the groundwater levels and
more importantly maintained a freshwater layer in the upper ground water.
Many of these areas were once part of a large inland sea and the lower
groundwaters are quite saline. The forest facilitated the infiltration
of fresh rainwater and through transpiration kept water levels down in
the flat areas. With the trees cleared groundwater levels under the low
rolling hills has dropped and on the flatlands the ground water levels
have risen bringing saline water to the surface. Difficult to explain in
a nutshell without diagrams but hope this short explanation has helped.
Robyn




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