DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-049-8-0095

VLIV PĚSTEBNÍHO ZÁSAHU A NADMOŘSKÉ VÝŠKY NA VODNÍ STRES U MLADÝCH POROSTŮ SMRKU ZTEPILÉHO (PICEA ABIES (L.) H. KARST) / EFFECT OF THINNING AND ALTITUDE ON WATER STRESS IN YOUNG NORWAY SPRUCE (PICEA ABIES (L.) H. KARST) STANDS

Jana Hacurová¹, Nikola Švorc Štěpánová¹, David Dušek¹, Jan Leugner¹, Jakub Černý¹

¹ Výzkumný ústav lesního hospodářství a myslivosti, v. v. i., Strnady 136, Jíloviště 252 02, Česká republika

For the adaptation of forest stands to the effects of climate change can be important optimal silvicultural (tending) interventions. This study evaluates the water stress level in pure young Norway spruce stands in the 2023 growing season at two ecologically distinct sites (Křivina 402 m a.s.l. and Říčky 920–930 m a.s.l.) in relation to the intensity of thinning interventions. Water stress was assessed using a Scholander pressure chamber. Although it was assumed that thinning would enhance water availability due to reducing canopy closure, the results did not reveal significant differences between thinning treatments. Surprisingly, higher levels of water stress were observed at the climatically more favourable site, Říčky. The findings emphasize the importance of integrating ecological, phenological, and physiological factors when evaluating the impacts of drought on forest stands.

Keywords: water potential, Scholander pressure chamber, soil moisture, thinning

pages: 95-102, Published: 2025, online: 2025