- The Jan Kochanowski University, Institute of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Kielce, Poland
The environment constantly changes due to natural factors and human activity. Defining mechanisms of its functioning and tendencies of the changes has a significant theoretical and practical value. Plants substantially affect water cycle in the moderate climate zone. The role of canopy in transforming precipitation is connected to the process of interception. Moreover, tree crowns accumulating snow, especially in mountains, form excellent water reservoirs in winter.
Mountain areas gain additional water also due to cloud water deposition. This process is particularly effective in coniferous trees, with greater receptive area and better conditions for brushing out water droplets from clouds. The phenomenon can be observed in the central part of the Świętokrzyskie Mountains (SE Poland) mainly from October till April, with maximum intensity in November, when low level clouds are often present in the area elevated above the sea level. Additionally, the values of relative air humidity noted in January – March frequently reach 100%. Conifers, with greater receptive area and assimilation organs present throughout the year, caused an increase in mineralisation of water passing through their crowns. The values were from 1.9x (Scots pine) to 2.8x (silver fir) higher than the concentrations noted in precipitation. Increased mineralisation resulted from “brushing out” air pollutants by tree crowns and the “leaching effect” – washing off mineral and organic substances from plant organs by acidified rainwater. The load of majority of analysed substances reaching coniferous forest floor was higher than that in precipitation, and the values were reflected in the enrichment factor.
Research conducted in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains since 1994 indicates that the changing human pressure, including elevated deposition of acidifying substances, caused deterioration of forest health condition and acidification of soils.
How to cite: Kozłowski, R., Przybylska, J., Szwed, M., and Kozłowska, A.: The role of tree stands in transforming precipitation in the conditions of climate change and multi-directional human pressure, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17093, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17093, 2025.
