Hydrological processes on forested hillslopes in an alpine catchment.

The study aims at a better understanding of hydrological processes on hillslopes and the impact of tree species composition upon hydrological processes. The two study sites (a Norway spruce stand and a stand with a species composition close to the natural climax with Norway spruce, European beech and silver fir) lie in an alpine catchment in Styria, Austria. In both stands interception, stemflow, surface and subsurface flow are measured on a 30 x 100 m plot. Apart from field work (profile pits, weirs, field irrigation, Time Domaine Reflectometry TDR, and tensiometer) the project includes an evaluation of the hydrological processes by means of indoor irrigation on a model slope. A 2-dimensional model is used for the simulation of the subsurface processes. The results should contribute towards the development of optimal silvicultural practices (species selection and stand tending) for water-supply issues.