atoms. The hydrogen then rises because of its lower specific weight,
and the oxygen sinks. That water becomes permanently lost. The
effect of global warming is complex. The atmosphere first warms up
due to the greater amount of water vapour, some of this increase of
heat being offset by the loss of water atoms at high altitudes.Temperature gradients and nutrient supply
As we have seen, unless vegetation keeps the ground surface cooler
than the falling rain, the water will not easily penetrate the soil. The
direction of the temperature gradient indicates the direction of
movement. Energy or nutrient transfer is always from heat to cold.
So a positive temperature gradient is also essential for nutrients to
be able to rise up to the roots of the plants (see Fig. 9.3).^2
If the surface is well forested, the rainwater is warmer than the
soil, and penetrates to the lower strata, replenishing the groundwa-
ter body and the aquifers. The salts remain at a level where they can-
not pollute the upper strata where they would harm those plants
which are salt-sensitive. The groundwater hugs the configuration of
the ground surface. Fig. 9.3 shows how the salts in the ground rise
near the surface, particularly on a hilltop, when part of the forest is
cut down, leaving the ground exposed to sunlight.
Schauberger demonstrated that when light and air are absent
well below the surface of the ground, the minerals and salts are pre-
cipitated near the temperature horizon of +4°C (39°F). Warm
ground will encourage evaporation of the moisture near the surface,
so that the minerals and salts are deposited near the surface, lower-
ing the fertility of the soil. If all the trees are removed (Fig. 9.4), there
will be no penetration of rainwater; the water table initially rises,
due to the now uncompensated upward pressure from below
described in the following chapter, bringing up all the salts, but will
eventually sink or disappear altogether without the replenishment
of rainwater. Fertility can be restored in time only through reforesta-
tion, bringing about the reestablishment of a positive temperature
gradient.
Replanting must be done initially with salt-loving trees and
other primitive plants, as only they would survive under such con-
ditions. Later, due to the cooling of the ground by the shading of the
pioneer trees, the rainwater can penetrate the ground, taking the
salts with it. Over time, as the soil climate improves the pioneer
- THE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE