Forestry treatment and soil moisture
Suitable temperature conditions and sufficient water are important for the establishment and growth of plants. In order to investigate the influence of various forestry treatments, scientists at the University of Potsdam are measuring soil moisture and temperature at several depths.
Here are the observations so far:
It was found that soil moisture is influenced on a very small scale by many different site conditions, so that no clear findings on the influence of treatments on drought stress have yet been obtained.
As far as temperature conditions are concerned, both heat and cold stress can limit or damage plant growth. It was observed that heat stress is reduced by both living trees and standing deadwood.
The more of the burnt trees were removed, the more frequently heat stress occurred on the plots. A similar effect can be seen with cold stress, although it is less pronounced.
In addition, the remaining trees sometimes lead to delayed warming of the soil in spring.
The picture gallery shows impressions of the investigations:
The sensors for soil moisture measurements are installed at different depths. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)
The installation involves a great deal of effort. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)
Reading the data on the clear-cut area in June 2022 (Photo: Antje Bischoff)
The amount of precipitation is also recorded. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)
Four months after the new fire in June 2022, the field work on this area is already continuing. Electricity is generated by a solar panel. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)
June 2023: Plot on the area burnt down again last year. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)
The sample sites on the former clear-cut area are barely visible in June 2023. (Photo: Sophia Dobkowitz)