How has China's regreening affected its water cycle?

China's extensive tree and grassland restoration projects have increased evapotranspiration, redistributing water and leading to reduced availability in some regions and increased availability in others, like the Tibetan Plateau.

What are China's main tree-planting initiatives?

Key initiatives include the Great Green Wall, the Grain for Green Program, and the Natural Forest Protection Program, all aimed at combating desertification and restoring ecosystems.

Did China's forest expansion decrease water availability?

Yes, forest expansion in eastern China and grassland restoration elsewhere increased evapotranspiration, leading to a decrease in available freshwater in those regions.

Home / Environment / China's Green Push Alters Water Cycle Unforeseen

China's Green Push Alters Water Cycle Unforeseen

4 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Vegetation changes reduced freshwater availability in eastern and northwestern China.
Water availability increased in China's Tibetan Plateau region due to regreening.
China's extensive tree planting has redistributed water, impacting regional availability.

China's Green Push Alters Water Cycle Unforeseen

Massive regreening initiatives across China, including the Great Green Wall, Grain for Green Program, and Natural Forest Protection Program, have profoundly reshaped the country's water cycle. While successful in increasing vegetation cover by 25% globally, these efforts have led to significant water redistribution. Evapotranspiration has increased, drawing more water into the atmosphere, but precipitation has not matched this increase in all regions.

The eastern monsoon and northwestern arid zones have experienced a decrease in available freshwater, despite overall increased vegetation. Conversely, the Tibetan Plateau has seen a rise in water availability. This geographical shift in water resources presents a critical challenge, especially given the existing water scarcity in northern China, which holds a substantial portion of the population and arable land.