Eucalyptus plantations blamed for dramatic groundwater depletion in Brazil

Researchers tracking groundwater changes in a Brazilian region have documented a striking 4.5-metre drop in water table levels over 45 years, coinciding with the expansion of eucalyptus plantations established for pulp and paper manufacturing. The findings underscore the substantial hydrological consequences of converting natural landscapes to monoculture tree farms, particularly in areas with limited water recharge capacity. Eucalyptus trees, valued by industry for their rapid growth and suitability for pulp production, are known to consume significant quantities of water through deep root systems and high transpiration rates. The depletion observed in the Brazilian study raises critical questions about the long-term sustainability of such agricultural practices and their impact on regional water security. Environmental scientists have flagged the research as a cautionary example for other regions considering large-scale eucalyptus cultivation, particularly in water-stressed areas. The findings align with growing international concern about balancing industrial agricultural expansion with the protection of freshwater aquifers that communities depend upon for drinking water and irrigation.