Research resource review: Revisiting Experimental Catchment Studies in Forest Hydrology: Proceedings of a Workshop Held During the XXV IUGG General Assembly in Melbourne, Australia, June−July 2011

Campo García, ADD. (2013). Research resource review: Revisiting Experimental Catchment Studies in Forest Hydrology: Proceedings of a Workshop Held During the XXV IUGG General Assembly in Melbourne, Australia, June−July 2011. Progress in Physical Geography. 37(1):147-149. doi:10.1177/0309133312465252S14714937

The effects of experimental thinning on throughfall and stemflow: A contribution towards hydrology-oriented silviculture in Aleppo pine plantations

Rainfall interception by the forest cover causes an important reduction in bulk rainfall in semiarid cli- mates, such as the Mediterranean. Unmanaged, dense pine stands in this area are expected to have an important impact on water resources. This paper studies the effect of forest management on the parti- tioning of rainfall into throughfall and stemflow in an Aleppo pine plantation in eastern Spain. Three thin- ning-intensity treatments were compared with unmanaged stands that served as the control. The results revealed a very low throughfall in the control treatments during the study period of 55.9%, whereas throughfall increased significantly after thinning to 83.8%, 67.7% and 61.3% of the bulk rainfall for high-, moderate- and low-intensity treatments, respectively. Total throughfall was negatively and line- arly related to the tree density, forest cover, basal area and leaf area index. In contrast, weekly throughfall was modelled by considering these variables together with bulk rainfall in a multiple exponential expres- sion; the weekly throughfall R2 values (corrected Pearson coefficient) were above 0.9. These models would facilitate the implementation of hydrology-oriented silviculture via a more accurate prediction of the impacts of thinning on throughfall in this type of forest.This study is a part of two projects: "Determination of hydrologic and forest recovery factors in Mediterranean forests and their social perception" and "CGL2011-28776-C02-02: Hydrological characterisation of forest structures at plot scale for an adaptive management (HYDROSIL)". The first project is led by Dr. Eduardo Rojas and granted by the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine affairs (Spanish Government). The subproject in which this study has been developed is titled "Optimization of forest management techniques in terms of their hydrologic and soil conservation effects, criteria development for a hydrological silviculture". The second project is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. The authors are grateful to the Valencia Regional Government (CMAAUV, Generalitat Valenciana) and VAERSA staff for their support in allowing the use of the experimental forest of La Hunde and their assistance in carrying out the fieldwork. The authors also acknowledge the comments of the editor, the two reviewers, R. Herrera and P. Llorens which substantially improved the manuscript.Molina, AJ.; Campo García, ADD. (2012). The effects of experimental thinning on throughfall and stemflow: A contribution towards hydrology-oriented silviculture in Aleppo pine plantations. Forest Ecology and Management. 269:206-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.12.037S20621326

Relationship of stem water potential and leaf conductance to vegetative growth of young olive trees in a hedgerow orchard

In 2005, four irrigation treatments were applied to a 3-year-old cv. Cornicabra orchard. In T1, wetted soil volume was maintained close to field capacity by irrigating when soil sensors indicated that soil water potential in the root zone had fallen to –0.03 MPa and 0.06 MPa from spring until 15 August and from 15 August until September, respectively. Onthose days, 8, 6, 4, and 2 h of irrigation was applied to T1, T2, T3, and T4, so that over the season they received 106, 81, 76 and 31mmof irrigation, respectively. The high value for T3 was the result of a valve failure on 13 June. Measurements were maintained throughout the experimental period of relative extractable water (REW) to 1m depth at the wetted volume (0.30m from a drip emitter), shoot length, trunk diameter, stem water potential (Ystem) and leaf conductance (gl). The irrigation treatment significantly affected REW (P < 0.10), Ystem, gl and vegetative growth (P < 0.05). Ystem, and trunk diameter were the least variable parameters andYstem and shoot growth were the most sensitive to water stress. Although T1 received 24% more water than T2, no significant differences were detected in vegetative growth. T2 should be considered the optimum irrigation value. The mean monthly Kc for T2 was 0.086. The failure of the valve in T3 simulated a wet spring followed by limited irrigation. Irrigation applied was similar to T2 but shoot growth stopped one month earlier and lower values of Ystem and gl were observed after mid August. REW was highly related to vegetative growth, 66% of maximum being achieved at REW 0.53 and 50% at 0.45. gl was independant of plant or soil water status and did not determine vegetative growth. A strong relationship established Ystem as a good indicator of vegetative growth and hence of water stress. Shoot growth was 66% of maximum at Ystem –1.5 MPa and 50% at –1.8 MPa

Hydrology-oriented (adaptive) silviculture in a semiarid pine plantation: How much can be modified the water cycle through forest management?

[EN] Hydrology-oriented silviculture might adapt Mediterranean forests to climatic changes, although its implementation demands a better understanding and quantification on the water fluxes. The influence of thinning intensity (high, medium, low and a control) and its effect on the mid-term (thinned plots in 1998 and 2008) on the water cycle (transpiration, soil water and interception) and growth [basal area increment (BAI)] were investigated in 55-year-old Aleppo pine trees. Thinning enhanced a lower dependence of growth on climate fluctuations. The high-intensity treatment showed significant increases in the mean annual BAI (from 4.1 to 17.3 cm(2)) that was maintained in the mid-term. Thinning intensity progressively increased the sap flow velocity (v (s)) in all cases with respect to the control. In the mid-term, an increased functionality of the inner sapwood was also observed. Mean daily tree water use ranged from 5 (control) to 18 (high intensity) l tree(-1). However, when expressed on an area basis, daily transpiration ranged from 0.18 (medium) to 0.30 mm (control), meaning that in spite of the higher transpiration rates in the remaining trees, stand transpiration was reduced with thinning. Deep infiltration of water was also enhanced with thinning (about 30 % of rainfall) and did not compete with transpiration, as both presented opposite seasonal patterns. The changes in the stand water relationships after 10 years were well explained by the forest cover metric. The blue to green water ratio changed from 0.15 in the control to 0.72 in the high-intensity treatment, with the remaining treatments in the 0.34-0.48 range.This study is a component of two research projects: ‘‘CGL2011-28776-C02-02, Hydrological characterisation of forest structures at plot scale for an adaptive management, HYDROSIL’’, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds, and ‘‘Determination of hydrological and forest recovery factors in Mediterranean forests and their social perception’’, led by Dr. E. Rojas and supported by the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs. The authors are grateful to the Valencia Regional Government (CMAAUV, Generalitat Valenciana) and the VAERSA staff for their support in allowing the use of the La Hunde experimental forest and for their assistance in carrying out the fieldwork. The second author thanks the Mundus 17 Program, coordinated by the University of Porto—Portugal.Campo García, ADD.; Gualberto Fernandes, TJ.; Molina Herrera, A. (2014). Hydrology-oriented (adaptive) silviculture in a semiarid pine plantation: How much can be modified the water cycle through forest management?. European Journal of Forest Research. 133(55):879-894. https://doi.org/10.1007//s10342-014-0805-7S8798941335

A hydroeconomic modeling framework for optimal integrated management of forest and water

[EN] Forests play a determinant role in the hydrologic cycle, with water being the most important ecosystem service they provide in semiarid regions. However, this contribution is usually neither quantified nor explicitly valued. The aim of this study is to develop a novel hydroeconomic modeling framework for assessing and designing the optimal integrated forest and water management for forested catchments. The optimization model explicitly integrates changes in water yield in the stands (increase in groundwater recharge) induced by forest management and the value of the additional water provided to the system. The model determines the optimal schedule of silvicultural interventions in the stands of the catchment in order to maximize the total net benefit in the system. Canopy cover and biomass evolution over time were simulated using growth and yield allometric equations specific for the species in Mediterranean conditions. Silvicultural operation costs according to stand density and canopy cover were modeled using local cost databases. Groundwater recharge was simulated using HYDRUS, calibrated and validated with data from the experimental plots. In order to illustrate the presented modeling framework, a case study was carried out in a planted pine forest (Pinus halepensis Mill.) located in south-western Valencia province (Spain). The optimized scenario increased groundwater recharge. This novel modeling framework can be used in the design of a payment for environmental services scheme in which water beneficiaries could contribute to fund and promote efficient forest management operations.This study is a component of four research projects: "CGL2011-28776-C02-02, HYDROSIL'', ''CGL2013-48424-C2-1-R, IMPADAPT'' and CGL2014-58127-C3-2, SILWAMED, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds, and Determination of hydrologic and forest recovery factors in Mediterranean forests and their social perception, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs. The authors are grateful to the Valencia Regional Government (CMAAUV, Generalitat Valenciana) and the VAERSA staff for their support in allowing the use of the La Hunde experimental forest and for their assistance in carrying out the fieldwork. Experimental data belong to Reforest research group. For any question about the data, contact Antonio D. del Campo ([email protected]).Garcia-Prats, A.; Campo García, ADD.; Pulido-Velazquez, M. (2016). A hydroeconomic modeling framework for optimal integrated management of forest and water. Water Resources Research. 52(10):8277-8294. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015WR018273S827782945210Andréassian, V. (2004). Waters and forests: from historical controversy to scientific debate. Journal of Hydrology, 291(1-2), 1-27. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2003.12.015Bargués Tobella, A., Reese, H., Almaw, A., Bayala, J., Malmer, A., Laudon, H., & Ilstedt, U. (2014). The effect of trees on preferential flow and soil infiltrability in an agroforestry parkland in semiarid Burkina Faso. Water Resources Research, 50(4), 3342-3354. doi:10.1002/2013wr015197Barron, O. V., Crosbie, R. S., Dawes, W. R., Charles, S. P., Pickett, T., & Donn, M. J. (2012). Climatic controls on diffuse groundwater recharge across Australia. 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Effects of Thinning Intensity on Forest Floor and Soil Biochemical Properties in an Aleppo Pine Plantation after 13 Years: Quantity but Also Quality Matters

[EN] In order to quantify the impacts of silvicultural treatments in semiarid forests, it is necessary to know how they affect key aboveground processes and also properties characterizing the forest floor and mineral soil compartments. The general objective of this work is to study the mid-term effects of thinning intensity on forest floor and soil properties after 13 years following the intervention. The experimental design consisted of a randomized block design with four thinning treatments (3 thinning intensity plots plus a control or unmanaged plot) and three blocks or replicates. Several determinations, such as total organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, or basal respiration, were performed for characterizing forest floor and mineral soil by considering three random sampling points per experimental plot. Thirteen years after thinning, total organic content, the different organic carbon fractions studied, and basal respiration were higher in the forest floor of the unmanaged plot. These results, however, were contrasted to those obtained for the mineral soil, where significant differences between the treatments were only observed in basal respiration and C/N ratio, while the different organic carbon fractions were not affected by thinning intensity. Our results suggest better soil quality where biological activity is enhanced as a consequence of improved environmental conditions and also litterfall input. The latter is especially important in forests with tree leaves of low biodegradability, where new understorey species promoted by thinning can provide higher nutrient availability for the remaining trees and, therefore, better forest resilience.A.J. Molina is the beneficiary of an "APOSTD' fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana. The authors received national and international funding through the following projects: SILVADAPT.NET (RED2018-102719-T funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER a way to make Europe), and RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063)Molina, AJ.; Bautista, I.; Lull, C.; Campo García, ADD.; González Sanchis, MDC.; Lidón, A. (2022). Effects of Thinning Intensity on Forest Floor and Soil Biochemical Properties in an Aleppo Pine Plantation after 13 Years: Quantity but Also Quality Matters. Forests. 13(2):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/f1302025511413

Evaluación de la recarga producida mediante manejo de una masa de Pinus halepensis con técnicas de silvicultura hidrológica

[ES] El balance hídrico, y especialmente la recarga por percolación profunda de un suelo, puede ser modificado a nivel de parcela mediante el manejo de la masa. Extendido a nivel de cuenca debemos esperar que dicha modificación afecte al conjunto del ciclo hidrológico. Sin embargo, el primer paso es la cuantificación del efecto que produce sobre el balance de agua el manejo silvícola de la masa con fines hidrológicos a nivel de parcela. Para ello se diseñó un experimento en una parcela de Pinus halepensis en la que se realizaron aclareos de distinta intensidad. El ciclo del agua se monitorizó midiendo la temperatura, humedad relativa, pluviometría dentro y fuera de la masa, el contenido de agua del suelo y la transpiración. Para cuantificar el volumen de agua que atraviesa la zona de raíces se calibró y validó el modelo HYDRUS-1D, el cual resuelve las ecuaciones de flujo en medios porosos saturados y no saturados. Los resultados demuestran que la recarga conseguida mediante el manejo de la masa puede ser modificada, consiguiendo valores de recarga netamente superiores en las parcelas tratadas. Sin embargo reducciones por debajo del 50% la fracción de cabida cubierta (FCC) no producen mejora en la recarga. Se comprueba que el régimen de precipitaciones tiene un efecto importante en el valor de la recarga. Dado que se trata de parcelas llanas en las que no se evidenció escorrentía, el estudio debe ser ampliado a laderas en donde este componente del ciclo presente una mayor importancia.García Prats, A.; Campo García, ADD.; Molina Herrera, A. (2015). Evaluación de la recarga producida mediante manejo de una masa de Pinus halepensis con técnicas de silvicultura hidrológica. Cuadernos de la Sociedad Española de Ciencias Forestales. (41):195-210. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/65572S1952104

Local flap reconstruction of large scalp defects

Scalp defects can have a number of origins, and their repair is dependent upon their location, size and depth. In the case of the scalp, the repair of even small defects is complicated. Local flaps are the reference for the reconstruction of such defects. Knowledge of scalp anatomy is essential for preparing these flaps, which must be based on one or two vascular pedicles to afford a large rotation angle ? thereby facilitating closure of the defect. The parietal zone is the location offering the greatest flap mobilization possibilities. We present a case involving the repair of a major pericranial frontoparietal scalp defect. A local transverse posterior transpositioning scalp flap was raised with the posterior auricular and occipital arteries as vascular pedicle. Following repositioning of the flap, a free partial-thickness skin graft from the thigh was used to cover the donor zone. A review is provided of the different techniques for the reconstruction of large scalp defects

Can a parsimonious model implemented with satellite data be used for modelling the vegetation dynamics and water cycle in water-controlled environments?

[EN] Vegetation plays a key role in catchment's water balance, particularly in semi-arid regions that are generally water-controlled ecosystems. Nowadays, many of the available dynamic vegetation models are quite complex and they have high parametrical requirements. However, in operational applications the available information is quite limited. Therefore parsimonious models together with available satellite information can be valuable tools to predict vegetation dynamics. In this work, we focus on a parsimonious model aimed to simulate vegetation and hydrological dynamics, using both field measurements and satellite information to implement it. The results suggest that the model is able to adequately reproduce the dynamics of vegetation as well as the soil moisture variations. In other words, it has been shown that a parsimonious model with simple equations can achieve good results in general terms and it is possible to assimilate satellite and field observations for the model implementation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The research leading to these results has received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER funds, through the research projects INTEGRA (CGL2011-28776-C02) and E-HIDROMED (CGL2014-58127-C3). The MODIS data were obtained through the online Data Pool at the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/get_data). The meteorological data were provided by the Spanish National Weather Agency (AEMET).Ruiz Pérez, G.; González-Sanchis, MDC.; Campo García, ADD.; Francés, F. (2016). Can a parsimonious model implemented with satellite data be used for modelling the vegetation dynamics and water cycle in water-controlled environments?. Ecological Modelling. 324:45-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.01.002S455332

Hydrology-oriented forest management trade-offs. A modeling framework coupling field data, simulation results and Bayesian Networks

[EN] Hydrology-oriented forest management sets water as key factor of the forest management for adaptation due to water is the most limiting factor in the Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to apply Bayesian Network modeling to assess potential indirect effects and trade-offs when hydrology-oriented forest management is applied to a real Mediterranean forest ecosystem. Water, carbon and nitrogen cycles, and forest fire risk were included in the modeling framework. Field data from experimental plots were employed to calibrate and validate the mechanistic Biome-BGCMuSo model that simulates the storage and flux of water, carbon, and nitrogen between the ecosystem and the atmosphere. Many other 50-year long scenarios with different conditions to the ones measured in the field experiment were simulated and the outcomes employed to build the Bayesian Network in a linked chain of models. Hydrology-oriented forest management was very positive insofar as more water was made available to the stand because of an interception reduction. This resource was made available to the stand, which increased the evapotranspiration and its components, the soil water content and a slightly increase of deep percolation. Conversely, Stemflow was drastically reduced. No effect was observed on Runof due to the thinning treatment. The soil organic carbon content was also increased which in turn caused a greater respiration. The long-term effect of the thinning treatment on the LAI was very positive. This was undoubtedly due to the increased vigor generated by the greater availability of water and nutrients for the stand and the reduction of competence between trees. This greater activity resulted in an increase in GPP and vegetation carbon, and therefore, we would expect a higher carbon sequestration. It is worth emphasizing that this extra amount of water and nutrients was taken up by the stand and did not entail any loss of nutrients.This study is a component of research projects: HYDROSIL (CGL2011-28776-C02-02), SILWAMED (CGL2014-58127-C3-2) and CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and FEDER funds. The authors are grateful to the Valencia Regional Government (CMAAUV, Generalitat Valenciana), ACCIONA for their support in allowing the use of the experimental forest and for their assistance in carrying out the fieldwork.Garcia-Prats, A.; González Sanchis, MDC.; Campo García, ADD.; Lull, C. (2018). Hydrology-oriented forest management trade-offs. A modeling framework coupling field data, simulation results and Bayesian Networks. The Science of The Total Environment. 639:725-741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.134S72574163