Publication Date
1997
Description
The investigation was conducted on a densely wooded area in the Mopani veld of South Africa. Six plots were subjected to different intensities of tree thinning, ranging from a totally cleared plot (0 %) to plots thinned to the equivalent of 10%, 20%, 35%, 50% and 75% of the leaf biomass of a control plot (100%). Soil water measurements were taken at six different depths to a depth of 825 mm. The infiltration of rain water and redistribution within the soil profile exhibited marked differences between experimental plots. The soil water was predominantly held at a very shallow depth (<450 mm). Increased infiltration in plots with a low tree density occurred and was associated with the establishment of grasses. No stratification of soil water between the topsoil and subsoil could be established which means that the C. mopane trees and grasses are in direct competition for soil water in the upper soil layers.
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The Influence of Intensity of Tree Thinning on the Redistribution of Soil Water in Southern African Mopani Veld
The investigation was conducted on a densely wooded area in the Mopani veld of South Africa. Six plots were subjected to different intensities of tree thinning, ranging from a totally cleared plot (0 %) to plots thinned to the equivalent of 10%, 20%, 35%, 50% and 75% of the leaf biomass of a control plot (100%). Soil water measurements were taken at six different depths to a depth of 825 mm. The infiltration of rain water and redistribution within the soil profile exhibited marked differences between experimental plots. The soil water was predominantly held at a very shallow depth (<450 >mm). Increased infiltration in plots with a low tree density occurred and was associated with the establishment of grasses. No stratification of soil water between the topsoil and subsoil could be established which means that the C. mopane trees and grasses are in direct competition for soil water in the upper soil layers.
