Satellites reveal widespread decline in global lake water storage
The vital role of vegetation is often overlooked - we&#x27;ve  significantly reduced forest cover over the past centuries.<p>Global forest cover loss between 1990 and 2020 was estimated to be around 178 million hectares, representing a reduction of approximately 10% in the total global forest area.<p>To restore water resources we should prioritize aforestation.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use#how-has-global-land-use-changed-over-the-long-term">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use#how-has-global-land-use-...</a><p>1700 ... 1 billion ha for agriculture<p>1800 ... 1.35 billion ha<p>1900 ... 2.54 billion ha<p>2016 ... 4.93 billion ha (=cca 50% of all habitable lands)<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use</a><p>Animal agriculture taking 75% of that.<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use-diets">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;land-use-diets</a><p>&quot;Beef is the leading driver of deforestation&quot;<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;drivers-of-deforestation">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;ourworldindata.org&#x2F;drivers-of-deforestation</a><p>As Ernst Gotsch says: water is planted (‘Água se planta!’)<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ernst_Götsch" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ernst_Götsch</a><p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Biotic_pump" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Biotic_pump</a><p>- Evapotranspiration: Vegetation influences the water cycle by releasing moisture into the atmosphere through transpiration, affecting cloud formation and regional rainfall patterns.<p>- Surface runoff and infiltration: Vegetation intercepts rainfall, slowing down surface runoff and promoting better water infiltration into the soil, which helps mitigate drought conditions.<p>- Shade and temperature regulation: Vegetation provides shade, lowers surface temperatures, and reduces evaporation rates, potentially alleviating drought intensity.<p>- Feedback loops: Healthy vegetation enhances soil moisture levels, maintains humidity, and supports water resources, while stressed or absent vegetation can worsen drought conditions.<p>- Forests and rainfall patterns: Forests contribute to local and regional rainfall by releasing moisture through transpiration, and their removal or degradation can disrupt precipitation, potentially contributing to drought.