Scientists are examining 80 years of streamflow and vegetation data from an experimental watershed that has undergone forest-grass-forest conversion (i.e., old-field succession treatment).

The project involved six watersheds from Coweeta Experimental Forest in North Carolina. Demonstrated declines in water yield and corresponding increase in evapotranspiration could be explained by the shift in major forest species from predominantly oaks and hickories before treatment to predominantly poplar and maple through old-field succession.