TITLE:
Sahel Afforestation and Simulated Risks of Heatwaves and Flooding Versus Ecological Revegetation That Combines Planting and Succession
AUTHORS:
Lorenz Huebner, Ayad M. Fadhil Al-Quraishi, Oliver Branch, Heman A. A. Gaznayee
KEYWORDS:
Extreme Heat, Vegetational Compartments, Natural Succession, Dryland Restoration, Savanna Vegetation, Sahel Climate Simulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.10 No.2,
February
28,
2022
ABSTRACT: Studies
simulating the large-scale afforestation of the African Sahel constantly find
warning signals of increased risk of extreme temperatures and heatwaves
resulting from changes in albedo and latent heat flow. We review the
afforestation measures underlying three simulation studies, together with a
restoration model in which compartments are formed by greenbelts to enable
succession of savanna vegetation, protected from hot wind and drought.
Savanna-like vegetation (around 20% woody plants) will show bright reflective
surface and drying of leaves during dry season rather than constant green color, with very different
impact on albedo and temperatures. We derive that the simulated risks of
extreme heat and flooding from rain will strongly depend on species, shape and
density of the new vegetation. Ecological restoration concepts are expected to
mitigate or prevent such restoration related climatic risks. Compact
afforestation of the Sahel does not appear to be necessary or feasible. A
restoration model based on compartmentalization and the protected succession of
diverse, climatically adaptable vegetation could also be used in populated
drylands, as a sustainable and temperature balancing solution to
desertification.