Water Balance Components of Sub-Mediterranean Downy Oak Landscapes of Southeastern Crimea

Abstract

This article discusses the processes of moisture intake, redistribution, and consumption within the downy oak forest community, along with their interannual and interseasonal water balance dynamics. The study of the water balance components was conducted using a combination of field research methods and geoinformation modeling on the territory of the Karadag landscape and ecological station of the Karadag Nature Reserve for the period from 2010 to 2020. The study of the water balance of downy oak forests located at the furthest extent of their range represents an important problem, whose solution will further scientific understanding by uncovering individual patterns of the internal organization of such systems. The indicators having the most tangible impact on the water balance are the amount of precipitation and evapotranspiration. The average annual precipitation on the territory of Karadag for the analyzed period was 448 mm; in recent years, a decrease in the amount of precipitation has been recorded. The evapotranspiration values within the downy oak forests approximately coincide with the values of this indicator in the Mediterranean region to average 450 mm per year. The influence of stemflow and relief features on the redistribution of moisture within the landscape is described. The analyzed water balance components’ dynamics form conditions conducive to the displacement of steppe communities by forest species.

Vegetation Dynamics of Sub-Mediterranean Low-Mountain Landscapes under Climate Change (on the Example of Southeastern Crimea)

“…Comparing the Hurst index values of Southeastern Crimea with other regions worldwide, values below 0.5 prevail, similar to the Tibet Autonomous Region (China) [69] and Inner Mongolia (China) [29]. However, the Hurst index values (<0.4) indicate isolated centers of anti-sustainability within the downy oak forests of the Karadag Nature Reserve, supporting our previous findings [58]. Conversely, centers of instability predominantly occur at the boundaries of urban areas due to negative anthropogenic impact.…”

“…The region is characterized by a complex and rugged terrain, with limited surface water resources. A detailed geographic description of the study area is provided in [58]. The territory of Southeastern Crimea is characterized by Mediterranean climatic features.…”

“…Both in winter and in summer, the coastal areas of Southeastern Crimea are the most arid. The annual distribution of precipitation varies from 700 to 350 mm in the west-to-east and northwest-to-northeast directions [58].…”

“…The Crimean Peninsula, particularly Southeastern Crimea, represents a typical region characterized by vulnerable forest landscapes. Moreover, Southeastern Crimea marks the northern limit of downy oak forests [58]. In addition to forests, the region encompasses a limited number of steppe landscapes, which also respond to climate change.…”

The Kerch Peninsula in Transition: A Comprehensive Analysis and Prediction of Land Use and Land Cover Changes over Thirty Years

“…This may be attributed to economic changes following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The abandonment of agricultural lands can be linked to the economic downturn and the dissolution of collective farms, resulting in land being left fallow or reverting to grasslands [41]. Another significant trend is urban expansion, which has resulted in the conversion of high vegetation and croplands to urban areas.…”