Abstract
In recent decades, anthropogenic activities have led to the emergence of novel ecosystems. These are often dominated by non-native species, altering forest composition and functions. This study examines the impacts of land cover changes on runoff and erosion within a subtropical Andean watershed. It focuses on new forests dominated by different tree species (native and non-native trees). Employing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), the research integrates thirty years of meteorological, topographic, and edaphic data. It aims to model, quantify, and compare surface runoff and soil loss under two distinct land cover configurations observed in 1988 and 2017. The results indicate non-linear associations: a 10% increase in forest coverage led to a 3% decrease in monthly streamflow and an 11% reduction in soil erosion. Runoff varies significantly between forests dominated by native versus non-native species. Additionally, among non-native forests, those dominated by evergreen species have proven more effective in reducing runoff and soil loss than deciduous forests used for livestock grazing. Understanding the impact of land cover changes and novel ecosystems on water and soil regulation is crucial for informing management and conservation strategies.
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Acknowledgements
This research was part of the PhD fellowship awarded to YGJ by the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Argentina. The authors gratefully acknowledge CONICET for the financial support provided for this study.
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All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by YGJ. The first draft of the manuscript was written by YGJ and EA commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Jimenez, Y.G., Aráoz, E. Modeling the Role of Novel Ecosystems in Runoff and Soil Protection: Native and Non-native Subtropical Montane Forests. Water Resour Manage (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-024-03842-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-024-03842-8