Tree Plantations Threaten Plant Life, Eco Balance in the Pampas
Apr 4, 2008 Click to Comment → PrintThe expansion of tree plantations into the Pampas regionof Argentina is salinising groundwater and drying up streams, hurting local plant life. According to environmental blogger Chris Lang, in referrence to a number of scientific studies, the plantations threaten to disturb the ecological balance of the area, doing both long-term and short-term damage.
The Pampas are considered to be one of the largest, most uncultivated grasslands in the world. The grass relies on shallow freshwater lenses for nourishment. Tree plantations rely on the deeper, salinised water, and as a result are bringing this type of water to the grass surface, which in time damages the grass. These trees also need a great deal more water than the grass, which causes many water sources to dry up, effectively killing the grass fields.
Via: ChrisLang.org
