Articles | Volume 30, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3697-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3697-2026
Research article
 | 
17 Jun 2026
Research article |  | 17 Jun 2026

Uneven decline in the hydrological efficiency of China's natural and plantation forests

Xiao Zhang, Xinxiao Yu, and Guodong Jia

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Cited articles

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Short summary
To understand how greening affects forest water use, we combined satellite and climate records for China’s forests over the past 30 years. We found that more leaves no longer increase the share of water used by trees as strongly as before. This weakening is faster in planted forests than in natural forests, and dry soils are becoming a stronger limit. The results can help guide forest planting and water management in a warming climate.
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