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Abstract
A literature review shows that water yields and soil moisture are affected by the amount and kind of. vegetation present and that auttings which reduce stand density increase soil moisture through increased throughfall and decreased water use resulting in more available water for the residual stand. Seasonal rainfall patterns differ within the South; droughts during the growing season are more . frequent in the Midsouth than in the South Atlantic Region. Field studies have demonstrated adverse effects of soil moisture deficits on tree growth. Results of a study.on a poorly drained site in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain showed that reducing stand density raised water table levels and that water table depths during the growing season are highly correlated with functions of stand basal area, precipitation, evaporation, and their interactions. Management strategies are discussed for reducing effects of moisture stress on moisture-deficient sites and of high water tables on wet, poorly drained sites.
Keywords
Water yields,
stand density,
moisture deficient sites,
poorly drained sites,
rainfall patterns,
cutting,
water table levels,
management strategies,
loblolly pine,
shortleaf pine,
white pine,
white oak,
aspen
Citation
Langdon, O. Gordon; Trousdell, Kenneth B. 1977. Stand manipulation: effects on soil moisture and tree growth in southern pine and pine - hardwood stands. In: Proceedings Soil Moisture Site Productivity Symposium. 1977 Nov. 1-3; Myrtle Beach, SC: 221-236.
