Original scientific paper
THE RESEARCH OF GROUNDWATER TABLE LEVELS, INPUT OF HEAVY METALS AND CROWN CONDITION IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF CROATIA
Boris Vrbek
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Ivan Pilaš
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Nenad Potočić
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Ivan Seletković
; Forest Research Institute, Jastrebarsko
Abstract
Research of crown condition between 1995 and 2004 in the Republic of Croatia showed an increase in the percentage of damage to all trees species. In comparison with 2003, moderate to severe damage to trees of all species increased by 3.6%, from 23.2% to
26.8% (fig. 15). Moderate to severe damage to broadleaves in comparison to previous years also increased, by 3.5%, from 17.6% to 21.1%. The percentage of moderate to severe damage
in coniters increased from 46.8% to 48.8%. From the accumulated data from peizometric monitoring throughout Croatia, it was possible to ascertain that the extreme lowering of groundwater table is a trend that is ever increasing in lowland forests. Seasons
with low groundwater table were frequent during the last decade (1993, 2000 and 2003).
After this period and up to the present, aquipheres in certain forest areas have still not recharged to a sufficient level. The influence of the input heavy metals by water i.e. by larger river systems (Sava, Drava, Mura) which were researched gave dismal results in terms of pollution. This was especially characteristic for artificial accumulations where there are hydro power plants such as the Drava River. From the aforementioned research results, the need to establish power plants grid monitoring which would include all forest types in Croatia is very important.
Keywords
Forest ecosystems; damage; groundwater; soil; heavy metals
Hrčak ID:
26023
URI
Publication date:
24.9.2006.
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