The Effects of Tree Species Diversity and Structure on Forest Microclimate in Spain

Bc. Moana Ungrová

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Climate change is expected to have a profound effect on Mediterranean ecosystems, resulting in harsher conditions with more frequent temperature extremes and associated drought events. Therefore, it is now critical to focus on sustainable forest management plans that aim to develop resilient forests able to withstand these conditions. The important knowledge on functional significance of forest diversity has been contributed by the FunDivEUROPE project, as part of which this research was conducted, taking place in the Mediterranean forests in the Alto Tajo Natural Park, Spain. With the aim to closer understand to the effect of local oak and pine species (Quercus faginea, Quercus ilex, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris) on forest microclimate, TMS data-loggers were set at 36 sample plots, measuring soil temperature (T1, T2), air temperature (T3) and soil moisture during four years (2018-2021). The highest soil and air temperature extremes in the summer months were repeatedly found in the broadleaved stands and in the stands with low level of species richness. The lowest mean soil temperatures in the summer months were recorded in single species coniferous stands of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). Diverse forest stands (i.e. 4-species stands) were found to be the most thermally favourable, however they showed the lowest levels of the soil moisture. This is expected to be a result of high competition for water, since in monocultures the soil moisture level remained the highest. Thus, considering all the generally known benefits of forest diversity, highly diverse stands might be the right ones to cope with the future temperature extremes. As for the economically important timber species, especially Pinus sylvestris, it might be more suitable to be grown in the monocultures or in mixtures with Q. faginea.

Keywords

Alto Tajo, FunDivEUROPE, microclimate, tree species diversity

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 22. 4. 2022

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Ing. Radim Matula, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta lesnická a dřevařská

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Lesní inženýrství / Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry