Global greening drives significant soil moisture loss

This study aims to provide robust evidence for interpreting the causal coupling relationship between vegetation and soil moisture dynamics. Vegetation dynamics, as fundamental terrestrial ecosystem components, regulate precipitation and evapotranspiration, directly affecting soil moisture (SM). However, global greening's impact on SM (drying or wetting) remains uncertain.

The findings highlight that soil moisture carrying capacity must be prioritized in ecological restoration strategies-particularly in vulnerable semi-arid regions where greening intensifies soil drying (e.g., Central Asia, Central Africa, and southern Australia).