Groundwater Recharge Algorithm for Forest Management Models

Ecological Modelling 385, 154–164. 756 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.07.006.

32 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2019

See all articles by Fabian Schwaiger

Fabian Schwaiger

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan

Werner Poschenrieder

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan

Thomas Rötzer

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan

Peter Biber

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan

Hans Pretzsch

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan

Date Written: 2018

Abstract

Multi-functionality is a critical objective in forest management planning. Water related ecosystem services are only sparsely implemented in Forest Management Models (FMM) although water scarcity is highly relevant. This study proposes an approach to integrate groundwater recharge into a FMM. The approach is based on knowledge transfer between two different forest growth models. For site-specific simulations on the landscape level, observation-based models require functions that describe groundwater recharge in a non-mechanistic way. However, groundwater recharge is difficult to measure and strongly depends on environmental conditions. Thus, we calibrated the observation-based FMM site-specific for two different case study areas, using a process-based forest growth model and substitute empiricism. Relations between forest structure and groundwater recharge were derived with multiple linear regressions and included in a FMM. The groundwater recharge was remarkably influenced by tree species and stand structure at both sites. The approach simulates groundwater recharge plausibly depending on site conditions and stand management on landscape level. Groundwater recharge was between 30–50% of the occurring precipitation and higher within broadleaved stands. Exemplary simulation of a European beech - Norway spruce mixed forest stand reveals a trade-off between groundwater recharge and stand volume growth depending on forest management.

Keywords: Groundwater recharge, Forest management model, Landscape simulation, Ecosystem service, Sustainable forest management planning

Suggested Citation

Schwaiger, Fabian and Poschenrieder, Werner and Rötzer, Thomas and Biber, Peter and Pretzsch, Hans, Groundwater Recharge Algorithm for Forest Management Models (2018). Ecological Modelling 385, 154–164. 756 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.07.006., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3370800

Fabian Schwaiger (Contact Author)

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, 80333
Germany

Werner Poschenrieder

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, 80333
Germany

Thomas Rötzer

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, 80333
Germany

Peter Biber

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, 80333
Germany

Hans Pretzsch

Technische Universität München (TUM) - School of Life Science Weihenstephan ( email )

Arcisstrasse 21
Munich, 80333
Germany

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