Management policies after abandonment in Mediterranean mid-mountains have encouraged the establishment of afforestations being considered as an NBS. Related to the implication on soil afforestation can (i) accelerate the recovery of some soil properties but it is necessary for long time periods, (ii) change above- and belowground litter quality and quantity producing a constant SOC accumulation, (iii) improve aggregate stability, and (iv) increase the presence of macro-aggregates and the water holding capacity of the soil. Likewise, afforestation threatens water resources: (i) reduces the number of floods; (ii) decreases annual water yield; (iii) delays peak flows but increases the duration of floods; (iv) increases interception of rainfall, and (iv) typically reduces the erosion risk and the volume of sediment, but not during the first years due to high geomorphic activity. However, there is still considerable scientific uncertainty and research on the impacts of afforestation in soil and water conservation is still needed.

This research was supported by the MANMOUNT project (PID2019-105983RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) funded by the MICCN-FEDER, and the MOUNTWATER project (TED2021-131982B–I00) funded by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and NextGeneration EU/PRTR. Manel Llena has a “Juan de la Cierva Formación” postdoctoral contract (FJC2020-043890-I) funded by MCIN/AEI (10.13039/501100011033) and NextGenerationEU/PRTR - and Melani Cortijos-López is working with an FPI contract (PRE2020-094509) associated to the MANMOUNT project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Peer reviewed