The hydrologic consequences of land cover change in central Argentina

Vegetation exerts a strong control on water balance and key hydrological variables like evapotranspiration, water yield or even the flooded area may result severely affected by vegetation changes. Particularly, transitions between tree- and herbaceous-dominated covers, which are taking place at increasing rates in South America, may have the greatest impact on the water balance. Based on Landsat imagery analysis, soil sampling and hydrological modeling, we evaluated vapor and liquid ecosystem water fluxes and soil moisture changes in temperate Argentina and provided a useful framework to assess potential hydrological impacts of vegetation cover changes. Two types of native vegetation (grasslands and forests) and three modified covers (eucalyptus plantations, single soybean crop and wheat/soybean rotation) were considered in the analysis. Despite contrasting structural differences, native forests and eucalyptus plantations displayed evapotranspiration values remarkably similar (∼1100 mm y−1) and significantly higher than herbaceous vegetation covers (∼780, ∼670 and ∼800 mm y−1 for grasslands, soybean and wheat/soybean (Triticum aestivum L., Glycine max L.) system, respectively. In agreement with evapotranspiration estimates, soil profiles to a depth of 3 m were significantly drier in woody covers (0.31 m3 m−3) compared to native grasslands (0.39 m3 m−3), soybean (0.38 m3 m−3) and wheat/soybean rotation (0.35 m3 m−3). Liquid water fluxes (deep drainage + surface runoff) were at least doubled in herbaceous covers, as suggested by modeling (∼170 mm y−1 and ∼357 mm y−1, for woody and herbaceous covers, respectively). Our analysis revealed the hydrological outcomes of different vegetation changes trajectories and provided valuable tools that will help to anticipate likely impacts, minimize uncertainties and provide a solid base for sustainable land use planning.

Research highlights
► Land cover strongly influenced ecosystem water fluxes.
► Woody covers showed higher evapotranspiration rates than herbaceous covers.
► Native forests and eucalyptus plantations displayed similar evapotranspiration rates.
► Soil profiles were drier under woody plots.
► Liquid water fluxes were at least doubled in herbaceous covers.