An energy-based model accounting for snow accumulation and snowmelt in a coniferous forest and in an open area
Abstract
An energy balance approach was used to simulate snow water equivalent (SWE) evolution in an open area, forest clearing and coniferous forest during winter seasons 2011/12 and 2012/13 in the Bystřice River basin (Krušné Mountains). The aim was to describe the impact of vegetation on snow accumulation and snowmelt under different forest canopy structure and density of trees.
Hemispherical photographs were used to describe the forest canopy structure. The model was able to reproduce the SWE evolution in both winter seasons beneath the forest canopy, forest clearing and open.
The SWE maximum in forest sites is by 18% lower than in open areas and forest clearings. The portion of shortwave radiation on snowmelt is by 50% lower in forest areas than in open areas due to shading effect.
The importance of turbulent fluxes is by 30% lower in forest sites because of wind speed reduction up to 10% of the value at the open areas. Indirect estimation of interception rates was derived.
Between 14 and 60% of snowfall is intercept and sublimated in the forest canopy in both winter seasons.