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The influence of stoniness and canopy properties on soil water content distribution: simulation of water movement in forest stony soil

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Abstract

Mountainous forest soils usually contain a large number of rock fragments (particle diameter >2 mm), which influence soil properties. Data characterizing hydraulic properties of these soils usually describe only the fine soil fraction (particle diameter <2 mm) properties. To quantitatively describe soil water movement in stony soils, it is necessary to evaluate effective hydrophysical characteristics, involving the influence of stones, that is, the effective hydraulic conductivity and retention capacity should be known. Properties of evaporating surface (plant canopy) also play important role in formation of soil water movement and retention. This work presents results of the study of rock fragments (stoniness) effect on soil water content profiles and soil water dynamics during the season. Stony and homogeneous soil behavior is compared. The effect of different canopies (spruce forest, low vegetation) and bare soil in both types of soils on soil water dynamics is also studied. Stones as a part of soil are decreasing its water capacity and hydraulic conductivity as well. This is expressing in the decrease of stony soil water content retention capacity. High interception capacity of trees, followed by the low undercanopy precipitation, leads to the decreased soil water content of the upper soil layer. Combination of stony soil and dense forest canopy led to the low undercanopy precipitation, to relatively low infiltration totals into soil, and to decreased outflow.

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Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to the Slovak Grant Agency APVV (Grant No. 51—030205) and VEGA (Project No. 2/0021/10) for partial support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hydrology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Račianska 75, 831 02, Bratislava 3, Slovakia

    Viliam Novák & Karol Kňava

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  1. Viliam Novák
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  2. Karol Kňava
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Correspondence to Viliam Novák.

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Communicated by Agustín Merino.

This article originates from the international symposium “Managed Forests in Future Landscapes. Implications for Water and Carbon Cycles (COST action FP 0601 FORMAN)”.

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Novák, V., Kňava, K. The influence of stoniness and canopy properties on soil water content distribution: simulation of water movement in forest stony soil. Eur J Forest Res 131, 1727–1735 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-011-0589-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-011-0589-y

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