A dynamic, process-based, user-oriented model of forest effects on water yield

The effects of afforestation on water yield from catchments are reviewed. In the light of research findings and an assessment of the method currently used in South Africa to determine reductions of water production associated with afforestation, the ACRU agrohydrological model is adapted to account for changes in critical land use related processes as a forest grows in time by incorporation of a dynamic land use information file. First tests with this model on a catchment at Cathedral Peak in the Natal Drakensberg, which was afforested in 1951, indicate that forest hydrological effects can be modelled successfully with a dynamic land use file. Further model development is outlined.