The Impact of Agricultural Land Use Change on Water Resources and Hydrology Cycles in Temperate Regions
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Abstract
Changes in agricultural land use are major contributors to hydrological system alterations in temperate regions, exerting effects beyond direct water consumption and climatic variability. However, comprehensive synthesis integrating hydrological impacts with governance frameworks remains limited, particularly regarding policy transfer to emerging economies. This literature review examines empirical evidence, policy frameworks, and regulatory mechanisms governing agricultural land use changes and their hydrological impacts in temperate regions, with implications for sustainable water management in the Global South.The review synthesises peer-reviewed literature, meta-analyses, government reports, and institutional publications from Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) repositories. It examines hydrological effects and governance frameworks, including the European Union Water Framework Directive, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the Canadian Water Act, and international guidelines. Results indicate that natural vegetation-to-cropland transitions cause 10–40% changes in basin surface runoff through altered evapotranspiration patterns, modified runoff pathways and surface water recharge. Soil structure manipulation, drainage infrastructure development, and changes in vegetation structure substantially influence infiltration rates, water retention, and seasonal flow regimes. Water quality impacts are significant, with nitrogen exports increasing by up to 300% alongside substantial alterations in sediment transport. Policy analysis reveals coherence gaps, implementation obstacles, and discrepancies between hydrological processes and administrative scales. Mitigation strategies include conservation agriculture practices, modified crop rotations, precision water management, and coordinated landscape-based approaches. Persistent challenges include distinguishing land-use effects from climate-change effects, upscaling local results to regional levels, and standardising assessment procedures. Integrating agricultural land use into water and land management policy frameworks is critical for sustainable resource management in temperate agricultural systems, contributing to SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
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