<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Large-scale forest dieback was reported in recent decades in many parts of the world. In Slovakia, the most endangered species is Norway spruce (Picea Abies). Spruce dieback affects also indigenous mountain forests. We analysed changes in snow cover characteristics in the disturbed spruce forest representing the tree line zone (1420 m a.s.l.) in the Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, in five winter seasons 2013-2017. Snow depth, density and water equivalent (SWE) were measured biweekly (10-12 times per winter) at four sites representing the living forest (Living), disturbed forest with dead trees (Dead), forest opening (Open) and large open area outside the forest (Meadow). The data confirmed statistically significant differences in snow depth between the living and disturbed forest. These differences increased since the third winter after forest dieback. The differences in snow density between the disturbed and living forest were in most cases not significant. Variability of snow density expressed by coefficient of variation was approximately half that of the snow depth. Forest dieback resulted in a significant increase (about 25%) of the water amount stored in the snow while the snowmelt characteristics (snowmelt beginning and time of snow disappearance) did not change much. Average SWE calculated for all measurements conducted during five winters increased in the sequence Living &lt; Dead &lt; Meadow &lt; Open. SWE variability expressed by the coefficient of variation increased in the opposite order.</p></abstract>

Large-scale forest dieback was reported in recent decades in many parts of the world. In Slovakia, the most endangered species is Norway spruce (Picea Abies). Spruce dieback affects also indigenous mountain forests. We analysed changes in snow cover characteristics in the disturbed spruce forest representing the tree line zone (1420 m a.s.l.) in the Western Tatra Mountains, Slovakia, in five winter seasons 2013-2017. Snow depth, density and water equivalent (SWE) were measured biweekly (10-12 times per winter) at four sites representing the living forest (Living), disturbed forest with dead trees (Dead), forest opening (Open) and large open area outside the forest (Meadow). The data confirmed statistically significant differences in snow depth between the living and disturbed forest. These differences increased since the third winter after forest dieback. The differences in snow density between the disturbed and living forest were in most cases not significant. Variability of snow density expressed by coefficient of variation was approximately half that of the snow depth. Forest dieback resulted in a significant increase (about 25%) of the water amount stored in the snow while the snowmelt characteristics (snowmelt beginning and time of snow disappearance) did not change much. Average SWE calculated for all measurements conducted during five winters increased in the sequence Living < Dead < Meadow < Open. SWE variability expressed by the coefficient of variation increased in the opposite order.

Influence of Mountain Spruce Forest Dieback on Snow Accumulation and Melt

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Influence of Mountain Spruce Forest Dieback on Snow Accumulation and Melt"}

Large-scale forest dieback was reported in recent decades in many parts of the world. In Slovakia, the most endangered species is Norway spruce (Picea Abies)....

Influence of Mountain Spruce Forest Dieback on Snow Accumulation and Melt

Published Online: Nov 07, 2018

Page range: 59 - 69

Received: Oct 23, 2017

Accepted: Apr 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2018-0022

Keywords
Snow characteristics, Forest dieback, Norway spruce, Mountains, Degree-day model

© 2018 Martin Bartík, et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Influence of Mountain Spruce Forest Dieback on Snow Accumulation and Melt

Published Online: Nov 07, 2018

Page range: 59 - 69

Received: Oct 23, 2017

Accepted: Apr 22, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/johh-2018-0022

KeywordsSnow characteristics, Forest dieback, Norway spruce, Mountains, Degree-day model

© 2018 Martin Bartík, et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
Snow characteristics, Forest dieback, Norway spruce, Mountains, Degree-day model