Rôle des paysages forestiers sur le cycle de l'eau

Impact of forested landscape on water cycle

¹ Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon
² Institut National de Recherches Agronomiques

Abstract

Different arrangements of trees in the landscape can lead to noticeable local modifications of the energy and water cycles, and consequently to changes in microclimatic variables. Characteristic types include extensive but patchy woods, sparse forest-like savannahs, trees along rivers or roads, and wind breaks. These kinds of landscapes induce radiative and convective effects, with intermediate buffer zones, according to the different micro-climatic constraints arising from different surface covers, ecosystems and soils. All these types of forest covers modify processes at the surface, particularly the energy and water balance ; They change water runoff, water storage and water consumption by surface ecosystems. By suitable management of the forest, a great variation of microclimatic and hydrologic conditions can be achieved, leading to favourable conditions for ecosystem development and greatest biological diversity.