Metla Project 3425

Effects of tree stand and climate on the water balance of drained peatland forests

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Duration: 2006-2007   Keywords: canopy interception, climate, ditch network maintenance, ground water, hydrology, peatland forests, precipitation, run-off, transpiration, water balance
Research project group: Distinct projects 1 - Structure and function of forest ecosystems

Objectives

This study aims at finding out the effects of regional climatic variation and tree stand interception and transpiration on the water balance of drained peatland forests. This information is necessary in order to assess the need of ditch network maintenance operations in Finland and develop better management practices for peatland forests. In different climatic regions, altogether 5-7 field experiments will be established on small artificially drained catchments to collect data on weather parameters, stand interception and transpiration, precipitation, runoff, and change in soil water storage to determine the water balance components and their annual variation. In two locations the variables will be followed intensively; a weather station will be established (to record precipitation, air temperature, humidity, and wind), tree transpiration will be measured with a sap flow system, stand interception will be measured with rain gauges. Run-off will be monitored from outlet ditch, and change in soil water storage will be recorded by following the ground water table. The effect of thinning will be studied in the southern intensive study site. In the other areas the water balance components will be determined on yearly basis by monitoring gross precipitation, runoff, and soil water storage. Evapotranspiration will be determined as the residual term. Based on the measurements, a general description of water balance of drained peatland forest will be established, which could be utilized to determine the role of tree stand in the system. Co-operation will be done with Laboratory of Water Resources, Helsinki University of Technology, department of environmental technology, University of Oulu, department of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki, and Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Project leader: Hökkä, Hannu
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Rovanniemi Office, PL 16, FI-96301 ROVANIEMI, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 4528
E-mail: hannu.hokka@metla.fi

Other researchers: Ahti, Erkki, VA (2006-07), Alenius, Virpi, RO (2007), Koivusalo, Harri, JO (2007), Laine, Jukka, PA (2007), Lauren, Ari, JO (2007), Repola, Jaakko, RO (2007), Sarkkola, Sakari, VA (2006-07)


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Updated 12.06.2012
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