Scots Pine Plantations Research Articles

Влияние рекреационного воздействия на компоненты лесного фитоценоза чистых 62-летних культур сосны обыкновенной

Under the influence of recreational impacts on plantings, their protective function, sustainability, aesthetics and natural appeal reduce. The objects of study are artificial pine plantations of 62 years of age, of different stages of digression (TLU-A2) on the sites of Somovskoe forestry of the Voronezh region. The paper explored the influence of recreational impacts on different components of forest phytocenosis. As it increases, the number of trees of the 1st category state ("no signs of weakening") significantly reduces and the number of trees 5-th and 6-th categories of the state ("fresh and old deadwood deadwood") increases. With the increase of anthropogenic influence the amount podletochnyh species, forest species of ground cover decreases and the number of weed and meadow species increases. Quickbeam (Sorbus aucuparia L) is the most resistant to recreational impact, volatile species are black alder (Frángula álnus, Mill) and wild pear tree (Pýrus commūnis, - L). With increasing stage of digression, the amount of trustworthy undergrowth of Scotch pine is reduced, the amount of questionable and unreliable undergrowth increases. The basis of natural regeneration in the forest plantations of Scots pine of 62 years of age is, in stage I of digression, single (46 %) and group (27 %) undergrowth of different age, located in the glade; its share is 49 % and 20 % respectively in stage II of digression; in stage III – single, medium, and large undergrowth (12%) in glades. Natural regeneration of tree species in trampled areas will not be able to ensure the restoration of forests and would require additional costs of afforestation in the future.

Community structure and seasonal variations of soil microarthropods during environmental changes

The community structures and seasonal changes of soil microarthropods in a natural sessile oak (Quercus petraea L.) stand and an adjacent Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation in Belgrad Forest, Istanbul, Turkey were investigated between November 2008 and October 2009. Microarthropods were sampled monthly, using steel soil corers. The mean annual abundances of microarthropods were 42,851 individuals m−2 in the oak stand and 42,276 individuals m−2 in the Scots pine plantation. The Shannon diversity index (H') of microarthropods in the Scots pine stand was 9.6% higher (p <0.05) than those of the native oak stand. Although conversion of a sessile oak stand to a Scots pine plantation did not impact the abundance of soil microarthropods, it increased their diversity.

Licea parasitica (Myxomycetes) new to Belarus

Abstract Licea parasitica (Zukal) G.W.Martin is reported new to Belarus. It was recorded in two localities, growing on both tree bark and epiphytic lichens in young Scots pine plantations in Gomel region, the south-eastern Belarus.

A Forest Vitality and Change Monitoring Tool Based on RapidEye Imagery

Forest damage and health problems can be identified, mapped, and better managed through the analysis of satellite imagery. However, a high degree of efficiency is achieved only if a workflow for preprocessing and analysis is mature enough for production and can be deployed in an operational processing environment. This letter shows a path for turning research into an operational tool for the purposes of forest delineation and disturbance monitoring using high-resolution RapidEye satellite imagery. The implemented workflow follows a modularized approach with separate modules for image registration, radiometric normalization, classification, and bitemporal analysis. The tool was developed for commercial service provision. It has successfully been deployed for the fourth year for German state forest customers. It makes use of python and python libraries, as well as algorithms of PCI Geomatica. The letter concludes with a case study showing the defoliation monitoring results of a Scots pine plantation area affected by a nun moth outbreak.

Assessing the environmental controls on Scots pine transpiration and the implications for water partitioning in a boreal headwater catchment

Climate change projections indicate reduced summer precipitation and increased air temperature for the northern high latitudes. These climate changes are likely to alter forest water budgets of which plant transpiration (T) forms a significant component. Plant transpiration is regulated by stomata behavior of particular species, which is constrained by ambient air and soil conditions. Here, we measured sap flow in a Scots pine (Pinus Sylvestris) plantation in a low energy Scottish headwater catchment during the main summer growth period. Effects of rainfall on forest transpiration, as well as the response of T to four environmental variables were investigated at a daily scale. In this boreal environment, transpiration was mainly restricted by radiation and vapor pressure deficit. Air temperature was the least important controlling factor. Soil water became an important factor when rainfall was limited. Frequent but small rain events dictated that precipitation met short-term transpiration demand most of the time. The trees needed supplementary water from antecedent soil water stores when weekly rainfall was below ∼8mm, but such periods were rare. Water exchange mainly occurred in the canopy or upper 10cm of the soil, with 47% of rainfall transpired, 45% intercepted and <8% evaporated from the soil surface. Understanding interactions between forests and their hydroclimate, as well as the role of forests in water partitioning is crucial to assist a sustainable land and water management in a changing climate. Whilst such studies are common in semi-arid regions, they are limited in boreal zones, therefore, our findings are a valuable contribution to understanding plant-water relations in a changing environment.

Twenty years of conversion: from Scots pine plantations to oak dominated multifunctional forests

A conversion of previously even-aged pine-dominated forests to uneven-aged and multi-functional oak-dominated forests has been ongoing since 1993 in the Pyramida experimental forest (95 ha) situated in the buffer zone of Podyjí National Park, Czech Republic. Based on repeated surveys in 1992, 2003 and 2013, the conversion was assessed according to changes in: (i) the proportion of species; (ii) the distribution of DBH; (iii) the distribution of patches; and (iv) the distribution of forest types. The proportion of conifers decreased from 61.0% to 42.0%, and the proportion of broadleaved species increased accordingly. A sharp decline in the number of trees in the DBH class 70-109 mm was caused by the intense release of understorey broadleaved trees in young Scots pine small pole stage stands. The number of large habitat trees steadily increased in the DBH classes 430+ mm. The mean size of one patch decreased from 0.8 ha (1992) to 0.4 ha (2013). The spatial proportion of the target forest type (uneven-aged oak-dominated forest) increased from 8.5% in 1992 to 45.0% in 2013, and 35.1% of the area was fully converted during the 20 years. We expect 69.1% of the area to be converted after 30 years (2023).

МЕЛИОРАТИВНЫЙ ЭФФЕКТ ОТ ВНЕСЕНИЯ ГЛАУКОНИТОВЫХ ПЕСКОВ ПРИ ЛЕСНОЙ РЕКУЛЬТИВАЦИИ ОТВАЛОВ ЕГОРЬЕВСКОГО МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЯ ФОСФОРИТОВ, "Лесоведение"

RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE, 2017, № 5, P. 66-72, DOI: 10.7868/S0024114817050072 AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF GREEN SAND APPLICATION FOR AFFORESTATION OF TAILINGS OF YEGORYEVSK PHOSPHATE FIELD O. V. Martynenko, V. N. Karminov, S. B. Vasil’ev Mytischi Filial, Bauman Moscow State Technical University 1 st Institutskaya st., Mytischi, Moscow Oblast, 141005 Russia E-mail: martinen@mgul.ac.ru Received 10 November 2016 Green sands are considered an effective improver in recultivation of lands disturbed by Yegoryevsk phosphate field (YPF). We studied trial plantations of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.), Siberian larch ( Larix sibirica Ledeb.), Norway spruce ( Picea abies L. ) and silver birch ( Betula pendula var. carelica Mercl.) growing on recultivated tailings of YPF. Our morphometric studies showed that green sands have had essential effects on primary pedogenesis and vertical differentiation of recultivated soils. We found alkalizing effect of green sands on the recultivated soils, growth of cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus and potassium at the trials. However green sands had low effect on labile nitrogen and humus contents. Dendrologic measurements in 1997, when plantations had been 10 years old, have showed successful growth of pine in all plantations, compared to Siberian larch, Norway spruce and silver birch. All plantations have had highest growth increment on sites where thickness of green sand was 30 cm. Repeated measurements in 2015 did not show significant difference of the dendrometric indicators between the plantations and control. We suggest it was caused by the distribution of root system in the soil profile. At the onset of growth it have had been in the upper mineral layer with the improver. 28 years after, the roots have passed the green sand layer and penetrated the overburden rock having low fertility. Green sands had positive effect on root-taking of tree species like Siberian larch, which degraded at the control site. Keywords: green sands, recultivation, forest plantations, Yegoryevsk phosphate field. REFERENCES Akopov M.N., Sel'skokhozyaistvennaya rekul'tivatsiya zemel', narushennykh pri dobyche fosforitov (na primere Egor'evskogo mestorozhdeniya). Avtoreferat diss. kand. s.-kh. nauk (Agricultural remediation of lands disturbed by phosphorite mining (case study at Yegor'evsk mine). Extended abstract of Candidate's of agric. sci. thesis), Voronezh: VSKhI, 1987, 15 p. Andres V.V., Karlovich S.V., Akopov M.N., Opyt rekul'tivatsii vyrabotok fosforitnykh mestorozhdenii (Reclamation of phosphorite mines: a case study), Zemledelie , 1986, No. 6, pp. 14–16. http://www.vniiki.ru/document/4153578.aspx , 1983, GOST 17.5.1.01-83. Karlovich S.V., Akopov M.N., Vosstanovlenie plodorodiya rekul'tivirovannykh zemel' (Fertility recovery on reclamation lands), Zemledelie , 1980, No. 3, pp. 48–49. Kormilitsyna O.V., Bondarenko V.V., Paliy I.M., Otsenka svoistv granulometricheskikh elementov kak osnova dlya sozdaniya pochvenno-gruntovykh smesei zadannogo kachestva (The estimation of properties of texture particles as a basis for creation of soil substrates of the required quality), Vestnik Moskovskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta lesa – Lesnoi vestnik , 2007, No. 7 (56), pp. 97–101. Maksimushkina R.A., Karlovich S.V., Rekul'tivatsiya zemel' (Reclamation of lands), Zemlya rodnaya , 1979, No. 8, pp. 20–21. Novozhilova E.O., Ekologicheskaya otsenka kul'tur sosny obyknovennoi na otvalakh Egor'evskogo mestorozhdeniya fosforitov. Avtoreferat diss. kand. biol. nauk (Environmental assessment of Scots pine plantations on dumps of Yegoryevsk phosphorite mine. Extended abstract of candidate's biol. sci. thesis), Moscow: MGUL, 1994, 22 p. Shishov L.L., Tonkonogov V.D., Lebedeva I.I., Gerasimova M.I., Klassifikatsiya i diagnostika pochv Rossii (Classification and recognition of soils in Russia), Smolensk: Oikumena, 2004, 342 p. Tyulina O.V., Antonova Z.P., Anoshkina E.A., Dinamika plodorodiya rekul'tiviruemykh zemel' Egor'evskogo mestorozhdeniya fosforitov (Dynamics of fertility of remediated lands in Yegoryevsk phosphorite mines), Agrokhimiya , 1981, No. 9, pp. 80–86. Vasil'ev S.B., Tipy lesnykh kul'tur na promyshlennykh otvalakh Podmoskov'ya (na primere Egor'evskogo mestorozhdeniya fosforitov). Diss. kand. s.-kh. nauk (Types of forest plantations on industrial wastes dump in Moscow region: case study of Yegoryevsk phosphorite mine. Candidate's agric. sci. thesis.), MGUL, 2000, 119 p. Yakovleva E.A., Bakalov A.N., Glaukonit kak potentsial'noe mestnoe udobrenie na Kubani (Glauconite as a potentsial new local fertilizer at Kuban region), Politematicheskii setevoi elektronnyi nauchnyi zhurnal Kubanskogo gosudarstvennogo agrarnogo universiteta , 2012, No. 82, pp. 622-631.

Эколого-ценотическая роль видов травяно-кустарничкового яруса в искусственных насаждениях сосны обыкновенной

Эколого-ценотическая роль видов травяно-кустарничкового яруса в искусственных насаждениях сосны обыкновенной

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ ТЕРПЕНОВОЙ ФРАКЦИИ ЭФИРНОГО МАСЛА ХВОИ СОСНЫ ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.), ПРОИЗРАСТАЮЩЕЙ В УСЛОВИЯХ ПОРОДНОГО ОТВАЛА КЕДРОВСКОГО УГОЛЬНОГО РАЗРЕЗА

The method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studied qualitative and quantitative composition of the terpene fractions of essential oils derived from the needles of Pinus sylvestris L., growing in terms of waste dump Kedrovsky coal cut in Kuzbass. The research results were recorded on a Agilent 5973N and Agilent 5973N EI / PCI. Separation of the components of essential oils was performed on a gas chromatograph Agilent 6890 series, members of the chromatography-mass spectrometry systems. Mass spectra were recorded on a quadrupole mass spectrometer HP MSD 5971 with electron impact ionization with energy ionizing elektronov 70 eV. Studies iidentifitsirovano 37 components terpene fractions of essential oils, including 14 - and 23 monoterpenes – sesquiterpenes. The influence of edaphic conditions Embryozems blade and age composition of conifer trees on P. sylvestris terpenes. Deficiency in Embryozems nitrate nitrogen and mobile phosphorus contributed to the increase in the total content of terpenes from trees of different ages. Increase of the amount of terpenes in the second class of plant age compared with younger trees. The results of the research give reason to consider Scots pine plantations on dumps of Kuzbass coal mines, as a resource base for essential oils.

Forest Plantations of Scots Pine on Soils with Stony Breed SE "Korostishev FЕ"

Forest Plantations of Scots Pine on Soils with Stony Breed SE "Korostishev FЕ"

Carbon storage and soil property changes following afforestation in mountain ecosystems of the Western Rhodopes, Bulgaria

Abstract: Land-use changes and afforestation activities are widely recognized as possible measures for mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of afforestation on (i) soil physical and chemical properties and soil carbon stocks in four mountain ecosystems and (ii) whole ecosystem carbon storage. The four experimental sites, situated in the Western Rhodope Mountains (Bulgaria) were characterized by typical forest-related land-use conversions. The four sites were a Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) plantation (Rd1) established on former cropland, a mixed black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) with Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantation (Rd2) established on former cropland, a cropland (RdA1) and an abandoned land with uncontrolled extensive grazing (RdA2) historically used as cropland. Soil parameters, i.e., sand content, pH, organic C and N contents, C/N ratio and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, were significantly affected by land use and land-use history. Conversion from cropland into forestland significantly reduced soil bulk density and coarse fragments at 0-10 cm depth. Compared with adjacent cropland and abandoned land, soils in coniferous plantations were acidified in their upper layers. Sites Rd2 and RdA2 contained the least SOC owing to the previous long-term arable cultivation (>100 years). Analysis of the ecosystem C stock distribution revealed that most of C in forests was stored in the aboveground tree biomass. Our study confirmed that afforestation of cropland turned the soil into a C sink for the selected mountain region, but showed conflicting results when afforestation occurred on abandoned cropland.

The role of planted forests in improving the productive capacity and ecological potential of Scots pine boreal forests in the Middle Volga Region

Russia’s boreal forests are a major source of timber as well as being a large terrestrial sink for carbon. Planted forests have played an important role in increasing the overall area of the Russian boreal forest. The total area of planted stands in republics and oblasts of the Middle Volga Region is about 3.2 million ha. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is the most widespread species in planted forests of the Middle Volga Region. As a result of its mass planting since the 1950s, the proportion of pine forests increased from 21 to 29 %. In order to justify the continued use of artificial regeneration to re-establish forests after harvest, more information is required on the growth and yield of planted and natural Scots pine forests. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to quantify and compare the productivity of planted Scots pine forests with that of natural forests in the Middle Volga Region. Data were obtained from seven representative forests in the republics and oblasts of the Middle Volga Region spanning the period between 1961 and 2007. The relationship between total standing volume and stand age was modelled for both planted and natural stands of Scots pine using the nonlinear Mitscherlich equation. Planted Scots pine forests generally have a higher relative stand density than natural forests, due to the presence of natural regeneration in planted stands. Mean annual volume increment of planted Scots pine forests was 5.6–9.2 m3/ha, which is approximately 15 % greater than the volume increment of natural Scots pine forests. Artificial stands are of high importance for maintenance of resource potential of Russian boreal forests. Mathematical and statistic calculations show benefits of planted Scots pine in comparison with natural pines in height, volume, density, productivity and growing stock increment. The achieved results suggest that wood can be obtained at an earlier age from planted forests thus preserving natural boreal forests.

Relationship between environmental parameters and Pinus sylvestris L. site index in forest plantations in northern Spain acidic plateau

The assessment of forest productivity at early stages of stand development may help to define the most appropriate silviculture treatment to be applied for each stand. Site index (dominant height at a reference age) is a useful tool for forest productivity estimation. The aim of this study was to develop a model to predict site index for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantations in northern Spain acidic plateau by using soil (physical, chemical and biochemical), climatic and physiographic parameters. To meet this objective, data from 35 stands classified into three different site quality classes and 63 soil, climatic and physiographic parameters were examined in order to develop a discriminant model. After selecting 12 discriminant models which were biologically consistent and presented the higher cross-validated rate of correct classification, a model including four parameters (latitude, inorganic Al, porosity and microbial biomass carbon) as predictors was chosen. The discriminant model classified 71% of cases correctly and no inferior-quality stands were misassigned to the highest quality class. Soil and physiographic parameters included in the above model are easily obtainable in the field or by simple laboratory analysis, thus our results can be easily integrated in operational forestry to determine site quality.

Coherent Momentum Exchange above and within a Scots Pine Forest

Biorthogonal decomposition (BOD) is used to detect and study synchronous coherent structures occurring at multiple levels in the vertical momentum flux (u′w′) within and above a planted Scots pine forest during a 12-week continuous measurement period. In this study, the presented method allowed for the simultaneous detection and quantification of the number of coherent structures (N), their duration (D) and separation (S) at five measurement heights (z1–z5) covering the range z1/h = 0.11 to z5/h = 1.67, with h being the mean stand height at the measurement site. Results presented for five different exchange regimes (C1–C5) and for four different atmospheric stability conditions (stable, transition to stable, near-neutral, forced convection) demonstrate that during the measurement period, above-canopy momentum flux was only to a limited extent involved in the evolution of spatiotemporal momentum flux patterns found within the below-canopy space. Fully-coupled turbulent momentum exchange over the investigated height range occurred during 19% of all analyzed half-hourly datasets. Across the analyzed exchange regimes, the median contribution of strong sweeps and ejections to total momentum transfer above the canopy varied between 30% and 39% while covering 28%–32% of the time. In the below-canopy space, the contribution of coherent structures varied between 19% and 21% while covering the same amount of time. This suggests that momentum transfer through synchronous coherent structures is very efficient above the forest canopy, but attenuated in the below-canopy space. Since the majority of the presented results agrees well with the results from previous studies that analyzed coherent structures at single levels, the BOD is a promising tool for the consistent investigation of synchronous coherent structures at multiple measurement heights.

Mistletoe (Viscum album) infestation in the Scots pine stimulates drought-dependent oxidative damage in summer.

This study sought to contribute to the understanding of the detrimental effect of the mistletoe (Viscum albumL.), a hemiparasitic plant, on the mortality of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.). Fieldwork was conducted in the town of Kelkit (Gumushane province, Turkey) from April to October in 2013. Pine needles of similar ages were removed from the branches of mistletoe-infested and noninfested Scots pine plants, then transported to the laboratory and used as research materials. The effects of the mistletoe on the Scots pine during infestation were evaluated by determining the levels of water, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA, being a product of lipid peroxidation) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O2 (-•)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical ((•)OH). In addition, the activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) were measured in the same samples. The highest level of drought stress was found in summer (especially in August) as a result of the lowest water content in the soil and the highest average temperature occurring in these months. The drought stress induced by mistletoe infestation caused a regular decrease in water content, while it increased the levels of EL, MDA and ROS (H2O2, O2 (-•)and(•)OH). The infestation also stimulated the activities of CAT and POX, with the exception of SOD. On the other hand, in August, when the drought conditions were the harshest, the levels of EL and MDA, which are two of the most important indicator parameters for oxidative stress, as well as the levels of H2O2and(•)OH, which are two of the ROS leading to oxidative stress, reached the highest values in both infested and noninfested needles, whereas the O2 (-•)level decreased. For the same period and needles, CAT activity increased, while SOD activity decreased. Peroxidase activity, however, did not exhibit a significant change. Our findings indicate that the increased mortality of the Scots pine may result from the mistletoe-induced very severe drought stress, and that the increase in the capacity of antioxidative enzyme system does not protect the plant against oxidative stress in dry summer seasons.

A dynamic whole-stand growth model, derived from allometric relationships

Growth and yield tables are constrained by a standard production regime and the stand-level dynamic models are an attractive alternative for the even-aged monospecific stands. The objective of this study is to derive a parsimonious and biologically sound whole-stand dynamic growth model and to validate its consistency and relevance for prediction of stand growth and yield. The state-space modelling approach was employed, introducing several novelties in comparison with its current usage. The model consists of a three-dimensional state vector, defined by dominant stand height, number of trees per hectare and mean stem volume, and three transition functions. A site index model was incorporated for height growth projection and transition functions for stand density and mean stem volume with respect to dominant height increase were derived from simple allometries and biological rationale. The model was examined with data from 79 permanent sample plots in Scots pine plantations. Nonlinear Seemingly Unrelated Regression was used to account for cross-equation correlations, and the Base-Height-Invariant dummy variable method was employed to estimate dynamic-form equations. Model consistency was validated in terms of accuracy of predictions and applicability to both thinned and unthinned stands. The new dynamic growth model is a parsimonious biometric whole-stand model that simulates the expected stand development for a broad spectrum of potential management alternatives and can be incorporated in a computer program for further use. It may be especially useful for application when a scarcity of longitudinal data prevents the use of more complicated modelling approaches.

Major risks and technologies of artificial forest regeneration in fire-sites of the Republic of Mari El

Wildfires occur in the Republic of Mari El (Russian Federation) from time to time, that is why reforestation work is very important in the region. Some risks arise in the course of forest reproduction at fire-sites. Wastelands formation, May beetle outburst (Melolontha melolontha), fire recurrence are the most typical risks. Predominance in the forests (sandy soil) of the Republic of Mari El of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) determines regeneration of this very species. Accelerated growth of pine in fire-sites is achievable through artificial forest regeneration. The goal of our research is to study the influence of different technologies of plantation establishment in fire-sites on their development and productivity and assess possible risks mitigation in establishment and cultivation of the plantations. Eight different plots of planted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were studied. These plots are rectangular (?-1, K-1, ?-3, ?-4, ?-5), square (?-2) and spot planting (?-2, ?-3) plots. The initial density of the planted trees was different in the plots; it was low (?-1, ?-2, ?-3), mean (?-4) and high (?-1, ?-5). It was revealed that in the plots where trees were planted with high initial density (more than 10000 trees per hectare) the risk of May beetle outburst was reduced due to quick canopy closure (up to 3-4 years). Two-row spot planting of Scots pine and leaving the wide inter-rows (?-2, ?-3) makes it possible to carry out the prevention measures and contributes to forest environment preservation and natural regeneration of broadleaved species.

Оценка качества несомкнувшихся лесных культур сосны обыкновенной в Эртильском лесничестве Воронежской области

Оценка качества несомкнувшихся лесных культур сосны обыкновенной в Эртильском лесничестве Воронежской области

Tree-Ring Width And Its Interrelation With Environmental Parameters: Case Study In Central Hungary

Abstract Tree ring width is influenced by several internal and external factors, among which climate became one of the most dominant due to the altering conditions and patterns of precipitation and temperature. The study aims to analyse the interrelationship between tree ring-width and the dominant environmental parameters in a landscape exposed to water scarcity in the past decades due to climate change and human interventions. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and white poplar (Populus alba) plantations were sampled to reveal their exposure to climatic forcing and water scarcity (different water availability). Correlation and similarity analysis were carried out to compare the calculated ring-width indices to climatic parameters and aridity indices. Tree ring sensitivity was assessed to reveal the impact of water scarcity on yearly ring-growth. Spatial overlapping of significance levels and mean sensitivity with the hydrological changes of the past decades were evaluated to reveal presumable spatial differences of the investigated samples. In the study area (South Danube-Tisza Interfluve) droughts and the deep groundwater table had both impacts on tree growth. The spectacular decrease of ring-width corresponds to the drought years determined by the investigated aridity indices. The relationship between the climate parameters and the ring-widths varies spatially with the changing site conditions. The highest level of correlation coefficients was experienced in areas with the lowest level of water availability. Ring-width sensitivity assessments showed an increasing tendency of sensitivity when comparing the consecutive decades, except for samples with favorable water availability.

Rainfall infiltration and soil hydrological characteristics below ancient forest, planted forest and grassland in a temperate northern climate

AbstractHow rainfall infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics develop over time under forests of different ages in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics were investigated under forests of different ages and under grassland. Soil hydraulic characteristics were measured at different scales under a 250‐year‐old grazed grassland (GL), 6‐year‐old (6yr) and 48‐year‐old (48yr) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations, remnant 300‐year‐old individual Scots pine (OT) and a 4000‐year‐old Caledonian Forest (AF). In situ field‐saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) was measured, and visible root:soil area was estimated from soil pits. Macroporosity, pore structure and macropore connectivity were estimated from X‐ray tomography of soil cores, and from water‐release characteristics.At all scales, the median values for Kfs, root fraction, macroporosity and connectivity values tended to AF &gt; OT &gt; 48yr &gt; GL &gt; 6yr, indicating that infiltration rates and water storage increased with forest age. The remnant Caledonian Forest had a huge range of Kfs (12 to &gt;4922 mm h−1), with maximum Kfs values 7 to 15 times larger than those of 48‐year‐old Scots pine plantation, suggesting that undisturbed old forests, with high rainfall and minimal evapotranspiration in winter, may act as important areas for water storage and sinks for storm rainfall to infiltrate and transport to deeper soil layers via preferential flow. The importance of the development of soil hydrological characteristics under different aged forests is discussed. Copyright 2015 British Geological Survey. Ecohydrology © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.