The effect of the silvoarable alley cropping system on the soil moisture and temperature regime at Amálie farm, Czech Republic

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41340%2F24%3A98264" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41340/24:98264 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.mendelu.cz/pdfs/doi/9900/06/1400.pdf" target="_blank" >https://doi.mendelu.cz/pdfs/doi/9900/06/1400.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.11118/978-80-7509-982-2" target="_blank" >10.11118/978-80-7509-982-2</a>

Result language

čeština

Original language name

The effect of the silvoarable alley cropping system on the soil moisture and temperature regime at Amálie farm, Czech Republic

Original language description

Introduction Agroforestry, a sustainable land use system that combines tree cultivation and crop production on the same field, can enhance water management and improve microclimatic conditions during weather extremes caused by climate change. In autumn 2022 we have established an experimental and demonstration alley cropping agroforestry plot at the university farm Amálie in Central Bohemia. The design follows the rules of the new measure to support agroforestry in Czechia (100 trees per ha in alley cropping scheme, trees in double row at a distance of 5 m, at least 50% of forest trees, the tree alley covered with grass/legume mixture), which started in 2023. The objective was to test and demonstrate the feasibility of the agroforestry measure, but also monitor, collect, and evaluate a number of valuable research data about the development of this agroforestry systems in the future. Objectives This research aims to evaluate the effect of the silvoarable agroforestry system on the soil moisture and temperature regime during the first year after its establishment. The research question is whether the planted trees can effectively decrease the soil moisture and temperature extremes in the field. Methods During the 2023 vegetation season, we monitored the soil moisture and temperature regimes of silt loam soil using 35 microclimatic stations (TMS Tomst). These stations were installed at two different depths within the soil profile within tree alleys and surrounding open crop fields with sorghum, as depicted in Fig 1. Results We observed that the temperature amplitudes, both at surface and subsurface levels, were lower in the tree alleys. During the August heatwaves, the maximum temperatures at the soil surface were nearly 7oC cooler than those in open crop fields. Surprisingly, this pattern was also seen 8 cm and 25 cm beneath the soil surface, where the maximum temperatures were almost 4oC cooler (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, results showed that tree alleys had a more intense response to heavy rainfall, with the immediate increase in soil moisture being 7% higher than that of open crop fields. However, the recharged soil moisture in tree alleys was rapidly depleted during the two weeks, falling below the levels in open crop fields. This is likely attributable to the high transpiration rates of trees in the alleys, particularly within the understory vegetation. Conclusion The tree alley system implemented in Amálie farm demonstrated a more pronounced soil moisture depletion. However, it also exhibited a more effective recharge mechanism after heavy rainfall due to improved infiltration caused by enhanced preferential flow. The promising soil temperature data show the ability of agroforestry systems to prevent landscape overheating. It is important to note that this study only covers the initial stages following the establishment of the system. Therefore, it is important to continue monitoring the temperature and soil moisture regimes in upcoming years, given the system’s potential to evolve into a more resilient system that can better withstand the adverse effects of climate change.

Czech name

The effect of the silvoarable alley cropping system on the soil moisture and temperature regime at Amálie farm, Czech Republic

Czech description

Introduction Agroforestry, a sustainable land use system that combines tree cultivation and crop production on the same field, can enhance water management and improve microclimatic conditions during weather extremes caused by climate change. In autumn 2022 we have established an experimental and demonstration alley cropping agroforestry plot at the university farm Amálie in Central Bohemia. The design follows the rules of the new measure to support agroforestry in Czechia (100 trees per ha in alley cropping scheme, trees in double row at a distance of 5 m, at least 50% of forest trees, the tree alley covered with grass/legume mixture), which started in 2023. The objective was to test and demonstrate the feasibility of the agroforestry measure, but also monitor, collect, and evaluate a number of valuable research data about the development of this agroforestry systems in the future. Objectives This research aims to evaluate the effect of the silvoarable agroforestry system on the soil moisture and temperature regime during the first year after its establishment. The research question is whether the planted trees can effectively decrease the soil moisture and temperature extremes in the field. Methods During the 2023 vegetation season, we monitored the soil moisture and temperature regimes of silt loam soil using 35 microclimatic stations (TMS Tomst). These stations were installed at two different depths within the soil profile within tree alleys and surrounding open crop fields with sorghum, as depicted in Fig 1. Results We observed that the temperature amplitudes, both at surface and subsurface levels, were lower in the tree alleys. During the August heatwaves, the maximum temperatures at the soil surface were nearly 7oC cooler than those in open crop fields. Surprisingly, this pattern was also seen 8 cm and 25 cm beneath the soil surface, where the maximum temperatures were almost 4oC cooler (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, results showed that tree alleys had a more intense response to heavy rainfall, with the immediate increase in soil moisture being 7% higher than that of open crop fields. However, the recharged soil moisture in tree alleys was rapidly depleted during the two weeks, falling below the levels in open crop fields. This is likely attributable to the high transpiration rates of trees in the alleys, particularly within the understory vegetation. Conclusion The tree alley system implemented in Amálie farm demonstrated a more pronounced soil moisture depletion. However, it also exhibited a more effective recharge mechanism after heavy rainfall due to improved infiltration caused by enhanced preferential flow. The promising soil temperature data show the ability of agroforestry systems to prevent landscape overheating. It is important to note that this study only covers the initial stages following the establishment of the system. Therefore, it is important to continue monitoring the temperature and soil moisture regimes in upcoming years, given the system’s potential to evolve into a more resilient system that can better withstand the adverse effects of climate change.

Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10501 - Hydrology

Project

<a href="/en/project/SS02030027" target="_blank" >SS02030027: Water systems and water management in the Czech Republic in conditions of climate change</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů