Summary
This field study used water stable isotope analysis to characterise ecohydrological responses to the 2018 drought in a mixed-use German catchment, comparing forest and grassland soil–vegetation units. Forest soils were drier and dominated by rapid young water fluxes (<2 months) after rainfall, whilst grassland soils retained older water (>2 months) with minimal deep percolation. The findings suggest that contrasting vegetation and soil communities partition water fluxes distinctly, with implications for understanding catchment water storage capacity under climate stress.
Regional applicability
The findings are applicable to temperate lowland catchments in the United Kingdom, particularly those experiencing summer drought stress. The comparative analysis of forest versus grassland hydrology and the rapid water cycling observed in shallow forest soils align with UK woodland and grassland systems, though UK catchments may have different baseline precipitation and soil types that would require local validation.
Key measures
Water stable isotopes (δ18O, δ2H, d-excess), soil water content, groundwater levels, streamflow, evapotranspiration, water ages, soil moisture profiles
Outcomes reported
The study measured soil water isotopic signatures, water ages, and ecohydrological partitioning under forest and grassland vegetation during the 2018 drought. Forest soils showed faster water cycling with younger water ages, whilst grassland soils retained older water with limited deep percolation.
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