Evaluation of ground level ozone concentrations and climatic variables in submountain beech forests (Western Carpathians Mts)

Abstract

Research, carried out in submoutain beech stand in the Kremnické vrchy Mts (410-570 m a.s.l.), was used to determine differences in ground level ozone concentrations and values of selected climatic variables between a former clear-cut which was the result from a cutting performed in 1989 and also a beech forest stand not subjected to the intervention. Differences in ozone concentrations were pronounced mainly in summer (July, August) when the values on the former clear-cut were much higher than those measured in the forest stand. In August 2004, a value of 118 μg m-3 was recorded on the former clear-cut. The increase in air temperature in the region was up to 15.4 °C, compared to the former long term mean value 14.8 °C from years 1961-1990 which was reported from Sliač, this is unequivocal.