Effects of thinning methods on soil water resources and soil drought risk in Scots pine stands

Climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts, posing a real threat to forest stands, for which lack of available soil water may limit growth and health. Many authors indicate that properly conducted forest management may contribute to increasing the resistance of stands to drought stress. One of the possibilities offered by forest management is the use of an appropriate thinning method. The aim of this publication is to show how different thinning methods affect soil water resources and the occurrence of soil drought. Model studies of the variability of soil water resources were carried out on the experimental plot in Kozienice Forest District, using meteorological data from 2011-2020 for 9 thinning treatments. These studies demonstrate that in the fresh conifer forest site, the most favourable conditions are created by moderate selective thinning, as well as a low level of thinning that does not permanently disrupt the canopy.