I'd like to point out that its removal of the native forest cover that changes streamflow from lesser instantaneous flow and longer baseflow, to greater flashiness and shorter baseflow duration. In addition, high pumping rates in the floodplains can lower the overall water table, that can dry up springs and small order streams, in turn decreasing flow in the rivers as they emerge from the hills. Plantation forestry ( exotic spp like eucalyptus, australian pine, wattle, albizia etc) can have high evapotranspiration and lesser rain interception by the open canopy and subsequent decrease in infiltration into the groundwater. Soil erosion is also higher in plantation forestry than native shola forests, even though lower than hillslope farming.
Published by Amartya Saha, Associate Scientist at Florida International University
I'd like to point out that its removal of the native forest cover that changes streamflow from lesser instantaneous flow and longer baseflow, to greater flashiness and shorter baseflow duration. In addition, high pumping rates in the floodplains can lower the overall water table, that can dry up springs and small order streams, in turn decreasing flow in the rivers as they emerge from the hills. Plantation forestry ( exotic spp like eucalyptus, australian pine, wattle, albizia etc) can have high evapotranspiration and lesser rain interception by the open canopy and subsequent decrease in infiltration into the groundwater. Soil erosion is also higher in plantation forestry than native shola forests, even though lower than hillslope farming.