Deforestation boosts flood risk by 700%
Deforestation can increase the risk of large-scale flooding by up to 700%.
Why it matters
- Deforestation significantly increases flood risk.
- Findings based on decades of data from Australia.
- Implications for global deforestation policies.
By the numbers
- 700% increase in flood risk after deforestation.
- Study analyzed data from three mega forest fires in southeast Australia.
- Compared with 50 years of streamflow data without major fires.
The big picture
- Deforestation impacts flood risk by reducing canopy and leaf litter that absorb and disperse rainfall.
- Findings suggest need for better planning to protect downstream communities.
What they're saying
- Study led by Professor Ashish Sharma from UNSW Sydney.
- Findings have global implications as deforestation and mega forest fires are increasing worldwide.
Caveats
- Study based on data from Australia, but researchers believe findings apply globally.
- Study controlled for other factors like climate and rainfall patterns.
What’s next
- Researchers recommend considering flood risk in deforestation policies.
- Further studies may confirm global applicability.