Influence of Forest Formation upon Soil Moisture

Abstract

IN the discussion upon Dr. C. E. P. Brooks's intersting paper, “The Influence of Forests on Rainfall and Run-off” (Quart. Jour. Roy. Met. Soc., 54; 225), Mr. W. Vaux Graham (p. 16) states that three springs near Tosson, Rothbury, clearly shown on the 1863 edition of the 6-inch Ordnance map, were not marked upon that of 1896, and now had almost ceased flowing. He suggested that the formation of a large spruce plantation on the hillside just above the springs was responsible for the diminution in flow. Dr. Brooks replied that there may well be isolated instances in which the planting of trees would affect the flow of springs adversely, and this would naturally result if they were planted in ground formerly bare or occupied by xerophytic vegetation. Numerous examples could be cited, however, in which it had been claimed that the cutting down of trees had had the effect attributed by Mr. Vaux Graham to the planting of trees, that is, the cessation of springs.