Snowfall Acidity in Fir Forest

Abstract

Firs managed in uneven-aged systems are regarded as significant evergreen species in the Black Sea Region. According to their ecology, firs grow optimally in cool and wet site conditions (Cepel, 1985; Kantarci, 2005). Firs form storied and irregular stands due to their shade tolerance. The interception arising from crown cover and vertical stratification has an effect on rainfall reaching the forest floor and hence affects the process of creating water resources. Water is an indispensable element for living organisms. Forests play an important role because of storage, reform and regulation water resources. The aim of this study is to compare the snowfall in open areas and in fir forests in terms of acidity values. The plot was established at an altitude of 1,580 m in Bolu-Aladag Mountains where fir grows optimally. Eight snow samplers were placed into the forest and one sampler in the open area. Measured snowfall amounts were evaluated as mm. Correlation and variance analysis were used for statistical evaluation. The acidity of snow samples was compared with the pH values. The values found range from 3.5 pH to 7.0 pH. In terms of volume, the open area has shown higher values than the forest area. Under the global climate change situation, part of the world’s agenda in recent years, the importance of available fresh water resources of the countries will obviously increase in the future. Therefore, when determining the existing situation and renewability of water resources, it is necessary to know what amount of snow has fallen in the forests, which are the main water producing areas and how the canopy cover can affect these quantities. Particularly, snowfall is very important for nutrients of water resources. Through the snowfall information, the process of water resource formation in the forests will be set forth more clearly. This will also be useful in terms of planning and decision of functions of forest resources in the context of sustainable forest management.