EFFECTS OF HURRICANE-DRIVEN DEFORESTATION AND REFORESTATION ON DIURNAL SOIL TEMPERATURE CHANGES IN THE TATRA MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHERN POLAND

Joanna Siwek

doi:10.15576/asp.fc/2020.19.3.59

Abstract

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hurricane-driven deforestation and reforestation on diurnal changes in soil temperatures in the Tatra Mountains (Poland). Material and methods: Soil temperature was measured at 0.20 m of depth in the mineral soil horizons on both north-facing and south-facing slopes in the deforested subcatchment and in the control woodland subcatchment. Soil temperature measurements were collected every 10 minutes in 2015–2020. The cross-correlation analysis was applied in order to determine the magnitude of the delay of soil temperature to air temperature changes at four studied sites during a day. Results and conclusions: The effect of deforestation on diurnal changes in soil temperature manifested itself mainly via a larger range of diurnal soil temperatures during warmer part of the year. In the summer months the diurnal soil temperature range for deforested slopes was 1 to 3℃ higher than that for wooded slopes. Diurnal soil temperature ranges were found to strongly decline with reforestation. Deforested slopes were characterized by a more rapid soil temperature reaction to changes in air temperature over the course of the day. Cross-correlation revealed that soil temperature changes on a deforested, south-facing slope occurred 4 to 5 hours later relative to changes in air temperature, while the delay for a wooded slope facing the same direction was usually 7 to 8 hours. Soil temperatures in the summer, both during the day and at nighttime, were higher on deforested slopes than wooded slopes. This indicates that deforestation may significantly intensify soil warming caused by global climate warming.

Highlights

Deforestation affects 0.13% to 0.20% of the Earth’s surface every year (Chakravarty et al, 2012)
The largest diurnal fluctuations in soil temperature at depth of 0.20 m at all the studied sites were noted in spring and summer, while smaller fluctuations were noted in autumn and negligible fluctuations were noted in winter
The largest diurnal soil fluctuation ranges were noted on a deforested slope facing south (DS site), while the smallest on a woodland slope facing north (WN site).During the period 2015–2020 a gradual contraction of the diurnal soil temperature fluctuation range was noted at the DS site – the range was much smaller towards the end of the study period relative to its beginning

Summary

Introduction

Deforestation affects 0.13% to 0.20% of the Earth’s surface every year (Chakravarty et al, 2012). One of the effects of deforestation is soil temperature change. Effects of hurricane-driven deforestation and reforestation on diurnal soil temperature changes in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. Most studies suggest that deforestation triggers a very large increase in soil temperature in the warmer part of the year (Donnelly et al, 1991; Bhatti et al, 2000; Moroni et al, 2009; Hu et al, 2013) as well as small changes in the cooler part of the year (Donnelly et al, 1991; Hashimoto and Suzuki, 2004; Moroni et al, 2009). Deforestation may lead to increased seasonality in soil temperature (Londo et al, 1999; Bhatti et al, 2000; Moroni et al, 2009)

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