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Grabowska, Michalina Maria, 2022. Water mapping in Scots pine stands after thinning. Second cycle, A2E. Alnarp: SLU, Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre

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Abstract

Climate change is an ongoing issue in various fields, including forestry. More frequent
and severe droughts have been already noted around the world, also in Europe. Visible reduction
in available water in forests has adverse consequences such as increased tree mortality, higher
vulnerability and smaller growth. Appropriate silviculture treatment can improve forest conditions.
Proper thinning practices can reduce belowground competition for water.
In the current study, water with a detectable isotope (deuterium, 2H) was applied in Scots pine
stands with different intensities of thinning in order to investigate water route and horizontal root
systems structure. Based on the amount of the label in the sapwood cores of trees, water uptake
was examined. In addition the sapwood area of each analysed tree was calculated. Knowing
the exact location of trees, the water route on the plot was mapped.
The results showed a strong correlation between the place of water application and the distance
of a tree. Belowground roots overlap was proven and reached 3,5 trees /m2. In heavily thinned plots
labelled trees uptook the biggest amount of 2H. There was no correlation between the sapwood area
of a tree and the amount of uptaken label. Visual presentation of trees distribution showed
belowground avoidance of competition – root systems are not developed uniformly around tree
stem.
Although there are some limitations of this study such as the short time between thinning
and experiment establishment, the results obtained gave a valuable insight into the root system
and connected with other research, including examination of root development after thinning
in a few years, can be helpful and useful in adjusting thinning practice in face of lack of water
in the forest.

Main title:Water mapping in Scots pine stands after thinning
Authors:Grabowska, Michalina Maria
Supervisor:Holmström, Emma and Segtowich, Amanda
Examiner:Subramanian, Narayanan
Series:UNSPECIFIED
Volume/Sequential designation:UNSPECIFIED
Year of Publication:2022
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:SM001 Euroforester - Master's Programme 120 HEC
Supervising department:(S) > Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre
Keywords:Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, drought, thinning, root system, water uptake, heavy water
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-17563
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-17563
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Forestry production
Nature conservation and land resources
Language:English
Deposited On:25 Feb 2022 09:41
Metadata Last Modified:01 Mar 2022 12:31

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