The role of ecological infrastructure in mitigating drought

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities (man driven modifications) have modified catchment landcover, particularly the vegetation, to provide grazing for livestock, for cultivation, and plantations in order to secure food, firewood, timber and space for human settlements. These modifications are necessary to meet human needs, but typically they alter how the rainwater is partitioned, often reducing river flows or increasing the volume of floods, or both. Changes in water flows are also closely linked to sediment flows, and the reduced vegetation cover in heavily- or over grazed lands or poorly planned cultivation may result in increases in soil erosion. Typically, this triggers a negative spiral with further, more rapid erosion, sedimentation of dams and non-potable water.

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