Forestry treatment and microclimate
The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development is analysing the influence of forestry management on the microclimate.
Microclimatic factors such as temperature or humidity are related to the degree of canopy cover.
In the summer of 2020, the clear-cut area had the highest temperatures of all the study areas, up to 45 degrees Celsius.
The data from the summer of 2021 show that the temperatures at 0.1 and 1.3 metres are significantly lower on unmanaged and unburnt areas than on the clear-cut area.
There is a strong correlation between the degree of canopy cover and the temperature: the higher the degree of canopy cover, the lower the temperature. Peak temperatures were measured to be several degrees Celsius lower, even in dead residual stocking.
The same correlation applies to the vapour pressure deficit, which is also lower with a higher degree of canopy cover.
As water is generally regarded as a limiting factor, it is advantageous if the temperatures are lower, as this counteracts the potential for drying out.
The picture gallery illustrates the effects:
Temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius prevailed on the clear-cut area in the summer of 2020. Most of the pines planted in 2019 did not survive this. (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2020)
Even burnt trees still provide shade.
The temperatures and the vapour pressure deficit in the summer of 2021 on unmanaged sites were ... (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2021)
... in the total reserve ... (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2021)
... as well as on the reference site significantly lower ... (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2021)
... than on the clear-cut area. (Photo © Dr Tilo Geisel 2021)
The graph shows the lower temperatures and the lower vapour pressure deficit on the unmanaged sites and unburnt reference sites. (Source: HNEE)
The higher the degree of canopy cover, the lower the temperature or vapour pressure deficit in summer 2021. (Source: HNEE)