Modelling soil water fluxes in a Norway spruce {Picea abies (L.) Karst.} stand at Ballyhooly, Co. Cork.

Abstract

Solute fluxes within the soil can contribute greatly to the understanding of biogeochemical processes. They are typically estimated from measured concentrations and simulated soil water fluxes. Models used to calculate soil water fluxes generally require water retention characteristics, hydraulic conductivity characteristics and root distribution as inputs. Using measured precipitation and throughfall volume in combination with modelled soil water fluxes, estimated using the FORHYD model, the six-year (1989-1994) mean annual hydrological balance for a Norway spruce stand at Ballyhooly, Co. Cork, has been estimated. Precipitation was 1141 mm yr while evaporation from tree surfaces was 497 mm yr-1. The vertical soil-water flux, estimated by simulation, was 322 mm yr at 1m depth.