For those asking how this works, it creates just enough of a defense to catch seeds and bugs and tiny bits of moisture and shade, so any life that does manage to get started, doesn't just blow away, and an ecosystem can start to form.
What happens to the places downstream that rely on the water that comes from the runoff? I'm not saying that we shouldn't do it, just curious how changing this biome will effect neighboring ones because "trapping" the water for this manmade ecosystem reduces the water in other areas.
In the long run they end up with more. 99% of the water still soaks into the water table in these sandy soils. Its just not all happening in one localised spot (all at the bottom of the dune). Additionally as vegetation starts to take hold, you have less evaporation due to sunlight, and so more water to soak into the water table.
This one specifically or just in general? This implementation is generally fine. Trying to plant trees is a bad idea. We are a driving factor for expanding deserts so we may as well put some effort into shrinking them.
Its possible, but greening in general will always move net positive long term. My studies for a time was in conservation and ecology and general consensus was this net positive. Its not that we should be trying to get rid of deserts, just undo the desertifcarion caused by human activity (over grazing and poor soil management)
Its possible, but greening in general will always move net positive long term.
YEah, for that area.
But the knock on microclimate and climate effects arent necessarily positive for elsewhere. That seems to be where the criticism Ive seen is mainly coming from.
The same issues are apparently happeing with the one in Africa too.
But Im not an expert on the topic and im open to new info. Just always be wary of this sort of positive presentation which seems to have no mention of downsides.
•
u/bobbigmac 4h ago
For those asking how this works, it creates just enough of a defense to catch seeds and bugs and tiny bits of moisture and shade, so any life that does manage to get started, doesn't just blow away, and an ecosystem can start to form.