Soil water availability in a short rotation poplar coppice (Populus nigra × P.maximowiczii) in Czech-Moravian Highlands

Abstract

There are presented results of a study of soil moisture dynamics, its spatial patterns and soil water availability under poplar coppice (Populus nigra × P. maximowiczii). The study took place in a short rotation poplar coppice culture (SRC) situated in the locality Domanínek (the Czech Republic, 49°32' N, 16°15' E, 530 m a.s.l.). Generally, the soil water content increased with the depth throughout the whole soil profile 0-0.95 m. The driest period occurred towards the end of summer, within an almost one month-long period without any precipitation. In this time, also the highest spatial variability was recorded. The water content in soil profile reached its highest value, and the spatial variability was the lowest, at the beginning of spring after the snow had melted and also after prolonged rainfall episodes during summer. The response of poplars to the water stress was analysed, and it was noted that the growth starts to be significantly limited at half of the range between the field capacity and the wilting point. The goal of the overall study is to identify correlations between the biomass increment rates and meteorological, planting and ecological factors to allow for better selection of SRC growing areas and more precise yield predictions.