Forest loss can make watersheds 'leakier,' global study suggests
Phys.org
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A groundbreaking global study reveals that deforestation not only reduces tree cover but also fundamentally alters how watersheds store and release water. Researchers from UBC Okanagan, along with international collaborators, analyzed data from 657 watersheds across six continents, published in *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. The findings suggest that forest loss makes watersheds "leakier," disrupting their ability to retain water effectively and releasing it more rapidly. This shift can have significant consequences for ecosystems, hydrological systems, and human communities reliant on these water resources.
Forests play a critical role in regulating water cycles by absorbing rainfall, storing water, and slowly releasing it through roots and transpiration. When tree cover is lost, the soil becomes less able to retain moisture, and the watershed's structure weakens
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/19/2026