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BIOINDICATION OF WATER RESOURCES RECHARGE IN A SMALL MOUNTAIN CATCHMENT

Eva Pažourková

Abstract

Ellenberg?s indicator values (simple ordinal classes of plants with a similar realized ecological niche) were developed to characterize ecological status of the soil-vegetation complex. The indicator of soil moisture (IF) was employed to describe changing environment and water resources recharge in a small forest catchment at the Jizera Mountains (Czech Republic) during the period 1982 ? 2018. In the 1980s, the extreme acid atmospheric deposition has leaded to the decline of spruce plantations (Picea abies) particularly in the upper plateau of the Jizera Mountains. After the forest dieback and clear-cut of damaged forests, Junco effusi-Calamagrostietum villosae became a new dominant community there. In the investigated catchment of 1.03 km2, detailed botanical survey was carried out in vegetation seasons of 1991, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2018. These data were compared with hydrological parameters: soil water content and evapotranspiration loss. The Ellenberg?s indicator of soil moisture IF describes well the plant succession related to microclimate and water balance at clear-cut sites. After the clear-cut (1984-1988), the average IF value has increased from original 5.76 (1982) to 6.45 (1991), reaching maximum 6.97 (2005). With the forest regrowth (reforestation started within one year after the clear-cut), the IF indicator was decreasing back to 6.33 (2018). These data correspond with observed changes in the evapotranspiration loss (and water yield), but, with a lag period of more than ten years.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2019v/1.4/s02.019

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