Articles | Volume 29, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1895-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-1895-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Apr 2025
Research article |
| 15 Apr 2025
| 15 Apr 2025
Can large-scale tree cover change negate climate change impacts on future water availability?
Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
Anne J. Hoek van Dijke
Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
Caspar T. J. Roebroek
European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
Hydrology and Water Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Short summary
A warming climate alters the freshwater availability over land, and, due to related tree cover change and potential forestation, this availability can be further enhanced or negated. We find that large-scale change in tree cover may counteract climate-driven changes on a global scale, whereas, regionally, the climate and tree cover impacts can differ extensively. Current ecosystem restoration projects should account for the effects of (re-)forestation on (non-)local water availability.
A warming climate alters the freshwater availability over land, and, due to related tree cover...
