The role of organic soil profiles on water availability in forests: Sensitivity analyses

This research concerns the soil organic matter linked availability of water in forests on dry, sandy soils. Results show that changes in soil organic matter (SOM) storage influences soil water retention, especially at low SOM contents. Further the organic forest floor allows a significant evaporation flux from the forest floor (yearly max. 30% of the evapotranspiration). Sensitivity analyses show that forest transpiration is only indirectly affected by SOM. A change in water retention does hardly change the transpiration but can alter the strategies of water uptake by roots. Global changes can thus indirectly affect the vitality of forests although the effects may vary with soil type.