eucalyptus

Uruguay planted eucalyptus and pine forests across grasslands; 20 years later, scientists found rivers were carrying much less water

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Uruguay planted eucalyptus and pine forests across grasslands; 20 years later, scientists found rivers were carrying much less water

Across Uruguay, large areas of traditional grassland have been converted into managed forests, particularly plantations of fast-growing trees such as eucalyptus and pine. The change can bring economic benefits through timber production, but it also alters how water moves through the landscape. A 20-year paired-watershed study in northern Uruguay provides one of the clearest long-term … Read more

Brazil planted vast eucalyptus forests for pulp; 45 years later scientists found groundwater had fallen by 4.5 metres

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Brazil planted vast eucalyptus forests for pulp; 45 years later scientists found groundwater had fallen by 4.5 metres

Brazil’s eucalyptus industry was built on a simple promise: grow trees quickly, harvest them for pulp and create a renewable supply for the global paper industry. Over decades, however, the enormous plantations have transformed landscapes across parts of the country, raising concerns about what happens to water beneath the trees. In one eucalyptus-growing region of … Read more

Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity; decades later scientists found the plantations were changing groundwater but not the soil nature

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Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity; decades later scientists found the plantations were changing groundwater but not the soil nature

Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘nana’. Image Credit: ERA Nurseries Australia planted eucalyptus trees to fight rising soil salinity, hoping that thirsty, deep-rooted vegetation could help control the groundwater processes behind the problem. A long-running experiment in south-western Australia later showed that the effects of such plantations were more complicated than simply planting trees and waiting for the … Read more

Why eucalyptus trees shed their bark every year and how this helps them survive |

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Why eucalyptus trees shed their bark every year and how this helps them survive |

The peeling trunks and straps hanging from the branches are one of the most distinctive features of the eucalyptus tree. To many people, this sight looks like the tree is damaged or dead. In fact, the opposite is often the case. For most eucalyptus species, shedding bark is a natural process that plays an important … Read more