Altitudinal variability of the soil water content in natural and managed beech [Fagus sylvatica L.] forests

Abstract

ABSTRACT: European beech (Fagus sylvat-ica L.) ranks as one of the most adaptive species among European indigenous trees. Variable inter-actions between the trees and soil water depend on both phenotypic plasticity of the species and natural conditions. They are controlled through stomatal regulation and the ability of beech trees to accelerate quickly their growth if available resources increase. However, the effect of for-est density at various altitudes on the soil water content in beech stands has been studied rather scarcely. Therefore, we monitored soil moisture by means of Time Domain Reflectometry in series of natural and managed stands located on sites representing the lower altitude (200–550 m a.s.l.),