The impact of changing subcanopy radiation on snowmelt in a disturbed coniferous forest

Abstract

AbstractUnderstanding the role of forests on snowmelt processes enables better estimates of snow storages at a catchment scale and contributes to a higher accuracy of spring flood forecasting. A coniferous forest modifies the snowpack energy balance by reducing the total amount of solar shortwave radiation (SWR) and enhancing the role of longwave radiation (LWR) emitted by trees. This study focuses on changes in SWR and LWR at three sites with different canopy structure (Bohemian Forest, Czechia), including one site affected by the bark beetle (Ips typographus). Measurements of incoming and outgoing SWR and LWR were performed at all sites equipped with CNR4 Net Radiometers for three cold seasons. In addition to SWR and LWR, sensible and latent heat, and ground heat and energy supplied by liquid precipitation were calculated. The results showed that net SWR at the healthy forest site represented only 7% of the amount at the open site due to the shading effect of trees. In contrast, net LWR represented a positive component of the snowpack energy balance at the healthy forest site and thus contributed the most to snowmelt. However, the modelled snowmelt rates were significantly lower in the forest than in the open area since the higher LWR in the forest did not compensated for the lower SWR. The progressive decay of disturbed forest caused the decrease in mean net LWR from −3.1 W/m2 to −12.9 W/m2 and the increase in mean net SWR from 31.6 W/m2 to 96.2 W/m2 during the study period. These changes caused an increase in modelled snowmelt rates by 50% in the disturbed forest, compared to the healthy forest site, during the study period. Our findings have important implications for runoff from areas affected by land cover changes due to either human activity or climate change.