How Does Vegetation Removal and Replacement with Concrete or Asphalt Affect Water Resources?

Impact of Vegetation Removal and Replacement with Concrete or Asphalt on Water Resources

When vegetation is removed and replaced with impermeable surfaces like concrete or asphalt, the natural process of water infiltration into the ground is disrupted. This has several implications for both surface water and groundwater.

Surface Water: The absence of vegetation and the presence of impermeable surfaces such as concrete or asphalt lead to increased surface runoff. Instead of being absorbed into the soil and vegetation, rainwater flows over the hard surfaces, picking up pollutants such as oil, debris, and chemicals along the way. This polluted runoff can contaminate nearby surface water bodies like rivers, lakes, and streams.

Groundwater: With the reduction of vegetation that helps in water absorption and the presence of impermeable surfaces, the amount of water that can infiltrate the ground and recharge the groundwater reservoir is significantly decreased. This can lead to lowered groundwater levels, affecting the availability of water for various uses such as drinking water supply and irrigation.

Additionally, the pollutants carried by surface runoff can seep through cracks in the concrete or asphalt and contaminate the groundwater, further compromising its quality.