Streamwater chemistry of mountain forest watersheds in the Bavarian alps : changes induced by forest harvesting and natural disturbances
The streamwater chemistry in two mountain forest watersheds in the Bavarian Alps is described. A close correlation was found to exist between precipitation and runoff. However, the rainwater was to a great part first stored in the ecosystem, to be exchanged by new rainwater after each rainfall event...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Copernicus Publications
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| Series: | Geographica Helvetica |
| Online Access: | http://www.geogr-helv.net/57/194/2002/gh-57-194-2002.pdf |
| Summary: | The streamwater chemistry in two mountain forest
watersheds in the Bavarian Alps is described. A close
correlation was found to exist between precipitation
and runoff. However, the rainwater was to a great
part first stored in the ecosystem, to be exchanged
by new rainwater after each rainfall event, thus enabling
system buffering. An almost complete buffering
of aeidity could be identified due to the strong watershed Output of alkali and alkaline earth cations and silicic acid. On the other hand, protons, organic carbon.
nitrogen, organic and inorganic pollutants were aecumulated in the ecosystem.
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40% of tree stem volume was removed from one of
the watersheds after a monitoring period of about two
years (patch cutting method) in order to make observations on the stability of these ecosystems in situations of natural or man-made disturbances. Runoff and
export rates strongly increased in the first year after
the disturbance due to enhanced mineralisation, aeidification, and a reduced uptake of nutrients and waler.
Except for nitrate, the changes returned to pre-event
conditions about a year after the disturbance.Thus, the
extent and manner of forest use tested in this study
is in terms of ecological consequences an acceptable
forest management tool. |
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| ISSN: | 0016-7312 2194-8798 |