Hydrological Role of Forest Stands in a Small Catchment Basin

Autor: A. V. Gemonov, N. N. Dubenok, A. V. Lebedev
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Russian Agricultural Sciences. 47:323-327
ISSN: 1934-8037
1068-3674
DOI: 10.3103/s1068367421040054
Popis: This paper examines the hydrological role of forest stands in a small catchment basin. The field studies were carried out at the Forest Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University–Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy. The key factors affecting the penetration of atmospheric precipitation under the forest canopy are the canopy density, volume of crowns, and their phytosaturation. In spruce stands, tree crowns retain more precipitation water than in birch and pine stands (up to 55%) due to the specific structure of the spruce’s assimilation apparatus. The distribution of the annual runoff by seasons is uneven. Its largest share (81.9%) coincides with spring, while the winter runoff is strongly determined by the state of the soil. The groundwater depth level also changes throughout the year. The highest level is registered in March, while it gradually decreases in April and May. In summer, the groundwater depth remains virtually at the same level, it slowly rises in fall, and it is maximally close to the soil surface in winter. Forest vegetation significantly affects groundwaters and the distribution of precipitation, thus, fulfilling its water protection function. In forested river basins, the shortage of moisture observed after dry years is mitigated. In forest stands, tree crowns contribute to the redistribution of precipitation in space: young forests increase the water runoff, while mature ones reduce it.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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