In: Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, vol. 64, no. 1
Stella Gypser - Maik Veste - Thomas Fischer - Philipp Lange
Details:
Year, pages: 2016, 1 - 11
Keywords:
Repellency index; pF-curves; Water holding capacity; Biological soil crusts.
Original source URL: http://www.ih.savba.sk/jhh
About article:
Investigations were done on two former open-cast lignite mining sites under reclamation, an artificial sand
dune in Welzow Süd, and a forest plantation in Schlabendorf Süd (Brandenburg, Germany). The aim was to associate the
topsoil hydrological characteristics of green algae dominated as well as moss and soil lichen dominated biological soil
crusts during crustal succession with their water retention and the repellency index on sandy soils under temperate climate
and different reliefs.
The investigation of the repellency index showed on the one hand an increase due to the cross-linking of sand particles
by green algae which resulted in clogging of pores. On the other hand, the occurrence of moss plants led to a decrease
of the repellency index due to absorption caused by bryophytes. The determination of the water retention curves
showed an increase of the water holding capacity, especially in conjunction with the growth of green algae layer. The
pore-related van Genuchten parameter indicate a clay-like behaviour of the developed soil crusts. Because of the inhomogeneous
distribution of lichens and mosses as well as the varying thickness of green algae layers, the water retention
differed between the study sites and between samples of similar developmental stages. However, similar tendencies of
water retention and water repellency related to the soil crust formation were observed.
Biological soil crusts should be considered after disturbances in the context of reclamation measures, because the initial
development of green algae biocrusts lead to an increasing repellency index, while the occurrence of mosses and a
gain in organic matter enhance the water holding capacity. Thus, the succession of biocrusts and their small-scale succession
promote the development of soil and ecosystem.
How to cite:
ISO 690:
Gypser, S., Veste, M., Fischer, T., Lange, P. 2016. Infiltration and water retention of biological soil crusts on reclaimed soils of
former open-cast lignite mining sites in Brandenburg, north-east Germany. In Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, vol. 64, no.1, pp. 1-11. 0042-790X (until 2019) .
APA:
Gypser, S., Veste, M., Fischer, T., Lange, P. (2016). Infiltration and water retention of biological soil crusts on reclaimed soils of
former open-cast lignite mining sites in Brandenburg, north-east Germany. Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics, 64(1), 1-11. 0042-790X (until 2019) .