Climate scientist at Chapman University part of study identifying water requirements for climate mitigation through ecosystem restoration

Worldwide, deforestation and farming practices are responsible for the degradation of vital ecosystems. While there is a significant amount of interest in climate mitigation by restoring those degraded lands with forests and other ecosystems, it is unclear how feasible that would be and the resulting benefits. Previous studies have not considered the effects of ecosystem restoration on available water resources and in environments with water constraints. Water scarcity is already a key issue worldwide that is likely to only get worse in the future. 

Josh Fisher, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Chapman’s Schmid College of Science and Technology said, “There is a lot of interest in climate mitigation by restoring those degraded lands with forests and other ecosystems. This study is exactly what is needed to put the idea of ecosystem restoration as a nature-based climate solution into actual practice.”

This study, led by scientists on four different continents, is an assessment of how much of those lands could be restored, the amount of carbon that could be captured from the atmosphere and put into those restored lands (to mitigate climate change), and how much water is required to support those ecosystems. The authors then compared those water requirements to actual and projected future water availability. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of the trade-offs and synergies between carbon sequestration goals and water security, offering an empirical framework to guide the sustainable implementation of ecosystem restoration strategies.

Key Findings

• Their analysis reveals that maximal carbon restoration on global land would lead to a 26% decline in global water availability per capita. In the current period 38 of the 175 countries would experience an over 100% decline, essentially depleting their water resources. Similarly, 20 countries currently without water scarcity would transition into conditions of water scarcity under maximal carbon restoration, especially Australia. Conversely, 58 countries would experience increased water availability per capita. Overall, our results suggest that carbon restoration could adversely impact water security in most countries, particularly in dry regions and densely populated areas.
• As countries delineate their net-zero strategies, the differential trade-offs between carbon storage and water resource management across different climatic, ecological, and societal contexts must be judiciously considered. This study serves as a foundation for more synergistic integration of carbon restoration and water security objectives, guiding policymakers, researchers, and practitioners alike.

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About Chapman University

Founded in 1861, Chapman University is a nationally ranked private university in Orange, California, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles. Chapman serves nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students can choose from over 100 areas of study within 11 colleges for a personalized education. Chapman is categorized by the Carnegie Classification as an R2 “high research activity” institution. Students at Chapman learn directly from distinguished world-class faculty including Nobel Prize winners, MacArthur fellows, published authors and Academy Award winners. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. Chapman also includes the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine. The university features the No. 4 film school and No. 66 business school in the U.S. Learn more about Chapman University: www.chapman.edu. 

Media Contacts
Molly Thrasher, director of public relations | thrasher@chapman.edu | Desk: 714-289-3143 | Mobile: 657-561-4359
Carly Murphy, public relations coordinator | carmurphy@chapman.edu | Desk: 714-289-3196 | Mobile: 714-497-9683