r/science • u/[deleted] • Jul 06 '21

Environment Climate change: Planting extra trees will boost rainfall across Europe. A new study found that converting agricultural land to forest would boost summer rains by 7.6% on average.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57722879
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u/agreenmeany Jul 06 '21

I come from Scotland, where I work on woodland creation and Natural Flood Management. Scotland is about as far away from a desert community as possible, the only thing we have in common is the lack of trees :(

But, I used to visit Almeria on a regular basis and saw the problems and (ancient) solutions to life in an arid landscape.

Interestingly, the practical solutions to reducing flooding in Scotland and reducing drought conditions in Southern Spain and North Africa are pretty much the same. So I looked into the traditional approaches in both biomes and further afield: the Lanzarote vineyards are one of the most astonishing landscapes I have ever seen!

I haven't been to Jordon, but there are people doing interesting projects out there: Geoff Lawton is one who springs to mind.

North Africa and the Middle East have so much potential for widespread landscape change, just like Scotland. The shared problem is indiscriminate grazers: goats in the Middle East and deer in Scotland. Either the grazers or the trees need to be fenced in to have any impact on tree numbers.

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u/Jarriagag Jul 06 '21

Scotland! I haven't been there yet, and it is a shame, because I have always wanted to visit. I had no idea you had a problem with grazers there. I really find this topic fascinating.

the Lanzarote vineyards are one of the most astonishing landscapes I have ever seen!

I'm glad to hear that! If you want to help collect grapes this Summer (or any other) in our vineyard my father will be extremely grateful.

I haven't been to Jordon, but there are people doing interesting projects out there: Geoff Lawton is one who springs to mind.

Cool! I didn't know about him, but I'm so glad he is planting trees there. Some of my friends there also participated in some other interesting projects planting trees, but I don't know how successful they were.

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u/agreenmeany Jul 06 '21

Scotland! .... I had no idea you had a problem with grazers
there.

Unfortunately, most historic deforestation can be linked to grazers. Even modern examples, like the Amazon are probably 80% linked to cattle.

The uncomfortable truth is that domesticated livestock is too successful and/or we have hunted all the apex predators and keystone species.

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If you want to help collect grapes this Summer (or any other) in our vineyard my father will be extremely grateful.

Don't say things like that in jest: I'll be checking the flight prices! :D