Deliberate enhancement of rainfall using desert plantations

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1904754116
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03T20:36:06Z
• Authors: Oliver Branch; Volker Wulfmeyer
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; Carbon Sequestration; Atmosphere; Climate Change; Rain; Forestry; Models, Theoretical; 15. Life on land; Trees; Soil; 13. Climate action; Physical Sciences; Desert Climate; Ecosystem

SignificanceOur desert plantation concept aligns closely with research into biological carbon sequestration solutions but uniquely extends into the purview of deliberate rainfall enhancement. With this synergy of carbon sequestration and regional weather modification, we can counteract water scarcity and desertification while minimizing conflicts with food croplands. We have demonstrated that large plantations do enhance rainfall in arid regions and identified the underlying process chain. By using this knowledge we have developed a global index to assess which deserts are most favorable for weather modification and discuss how rainfall impacts can be intensified using agricultural methods. This potential for rainfall enhancement and carbon sequestration makes the research extremely interesting for the scientific community and for society.