scholarly journals A method for deriving a future temporal spectrum of heavy precipitation on the basis of weather patterns in low mountain ranges

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Franke ◽  
Christian Bernhofer
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges

scholarly journals Orographic Enhancement of Precipitation over Low Mountain Ranges. Part II: Simulations of Heavy Precipitation Events over Southwest Germany

2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1041-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kunz ◽  
Christoph Kottmeier
Keyword(s):  
Linear Theory ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Orographic Enhancement ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges ◽  
Areal Rainfall ◽  
Precipitation Events ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract A diagnostic precipitation model that combines linear theory of hydrostatic flow with parameterized microphysics is applied to several stratiform heavy precipitation events over the low mountain ranges of southwestern Germany. Model-simulated rainfall is in good agreement with observations in both magnitude and location, yielding correlation coefficients against observational data between 0.74 and 0.90. Two events that caused local flooding over and near the Black Forest mountains, on 11–13 December 1997 and on 28–29 October 1998, are discussed in detail. Results show that, in addition to orographic features, wind speed U, moist static stability Nm, and melting level are important parameters to describe the amount and spatial distribution of orographic precipitation. The effect of hydrometeor drifting significantly reduces the precipitation peaks near the crests, and the inclusion of evaporation decreases precipitation mainly in descent regions downstream of the mountains. Using the upslope approach instead of linear theory, the precipitation intensities increase substantially and primarily over and downstream of the mountain peaks, whereas the maxima are shifted slightly downstream. The best simulation results relative to the observations were obtained on a 2.5-km grid, whereas areal rainfall is underestimated by about 10% on a 5-km grid and by about 35% on a 10-km grid.

scholarly journals Palaeoecology as a Tool for the Future Management of Forest Ecosystems in Hesse (Central Germany): Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) versus Lime (Tilia cordata Mill.)

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 924
Author(s):  
Astrid Stobbe ◽  
Maren Gumnior
Keyword(s):  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Tilia Cordata ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
The Future ◽  
Spruce Stands ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica L ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges ◽  
Intramontane Basins ◽  
Future Management

In the Central German Uplands, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies have been particularly affected by climate change. With the establishment of beech forests about 3000 years ago and pure spruce stands 500 years ago, they might be regarded as ‘neophytes’ in the Hessian forests. Palaeoecological investigations at wetland sites in the low mountain ranges and intramontane basins point to an asynchronous vegetation evolution in a comparatively small but heterogenous region. On the other hand, palynological data prove that sustainably managed woodlands with high proportions of Tilia have been persisting for several millennia, before the spread of beech took place as a result of a cooler and wetter climate and changes in land management. In view of increasingly warmer and drier conditions, Tilia cordata appears especially qualified to be an important silvicultural constituent of the future, not only due to its tolerance towards drought, but also its resistance to browsing, and the ability to reproduce vegetatively. Forest managers should be encouraged to actively promote the return to more stress-tolerant lime-dominated woodlands, similar to those that existed in the Subboreal chronozone.

scholarly journals Are there signs of acidification reversal in freshwaters of the low mountain ranges in Germany?

2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 367-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Alewell ◽  
M. Armbruster ◽  
J. Bittersohl ◽  
C. D. Evans ◽  
H. Meesenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Stream Water ◽  
Base Cation ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Acid Neutralising Capacity ◽  
Freshwater Acidification ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges

Abstract. The reversal of freshwater acidification in the low mountain ranges of Germany is of public, political and scientific concern, because these regions are near natural ecosystems and function as an important drinking water supply. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status and trends of acidification reversal after two decades of reduced anthropogenic deposition in selected freshwaters of the low mountain ranges in the Harz, the Fichtelgebirge, the Bavarian Forest, the Spessart and the Black Forest. In response to decreased sulphate deposition, seven out of nine streams investigated had significantly decreasing sulphate concentrations (all trends were calculated with the Seasonal Kendall Test). The decrease in sulphate concentration was only minor, however, due to the release of previously stored soil sulphur. No increase was found in pH and acid neutralising capacity (defined by Reuss and Johnson, 1986). Aluminum concentrations in the streams did not decrease. Thus, no major acidification reversal can currently be noted in spite of two decades of decreased acid deposition. Nevertheless, the first signs of improvement in water quality were detected as there was a decrease in the level and frequency of extreme values of pH, acid neutralising capacity and aluminium concentrations in streams. With respect to nitrogen, no change was determined for either nitrate or ammonium concentrations in precipitation or stream water. Base cation fluxes indicate increasing net loss of base cations from all ecosystems investigated, which could be interpreted as an increase in soil acidification. The latter was due to a combination of continued high anion leaching and significant reduction of base cation deposition. No major improvement was noted in biological recovery, however, initial signs of recovery were detectable as there was re-occurrence of some single macroinvertebrate species which were formerly extinct. The results of this study have important implications for water authorities, forest managers and policy makers: the delay in acidification reversal suggests a need for ongoing intensive amelioration of waters, a careful selection of management tools to guarantee sustainable management of forests and the reduction of nitrogen deposition to prevent further acidification of soils and waters. Keywords: freshwater, acidification reversal, drinking water supply, forested catchments, Germany

scholarly journals Different forest cover and its impact on eco-hydrological traits, invertebrate fauna and biodiversity of spring habitats

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 85-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Reiss ◽  
Peter Chifflard
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Conifer Forest ◽  
Substrate Type ◽  
Structure Mapping ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges

Headwater springs in the German Low Mountain Ranges are local ecotone habitats and biogeographical islands embedded in and interlinked with their adjacent landscape. The structure of forests reflects the eco-hydrological conditions in substrate type occurrence, microhabitat richness and biodiversity in forest springs. This study considers effects from different forest land cover by comparing spring habitats in deciduous beech forests and coniferous spruce forests on eco-hydrological structures and biodiversity. Study areas include six different forest landscapes in the Low Mountain Ranges in Central Germany in Hesse and Thuringia. Hydro-morphological structure mapping and invertebrate sampling was executed within a multi-habitat sampling regime, which involves sampling plots being allocated according to the cover ratio of the occurring substrata. Aquatic and terrestrial spring zones are considered with respect to an ecotone approach. Some in situ measurements were implemented, such as pH values, to assess the acidity of the spring water. Results show obvious differences in acidity, substrate type cover ratios and biodiversity in deciduous and coniferous forest springs. Conifer forest springs were found tending to acidification while deciduous forest springs were slightly alkaline. Deciduous forest springs had higher cover ratios of organic microhabitats as well as a higher biodiversity in species richness and total number of individuals. Although it was not possible to clearly distinguish one direct key factor of fauna assemblages, negative effects from forest management practices (e.g. monoculture plantations of conifer forest) on spring habitats can be concluded.

2. Ancient reefs and islands

2021 ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Charles Sheppard
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Vast Array ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Island Type ◽  
Coral Island ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges ◽  
Limestone Rock ◽  
Tabulate Corals

Reefs in deep geological time have been built by a succession of different kinds of life: plant, bacterial, and animal. Stromatolites and bryozoans were major reef-builders that persist today in minor or non-reef-building forms, sponges built entire reefs and are still important reef components, while several groups of major reef-builders flourished for a while and then became extinct: archaeocyathids which were similar to sponges, and coral-like forms including rugose and tabulate corals. Today’s reef-builders, cnidarian corals, appeared well after the great Permian-Triassic extinction event. All of these groups deposited vast quantities of limestone rock on which they live, often visible today as low mountain ranges. Reefs grow to the surface but not beyond, but upon them sand and sediments may build up, forming an island that attracts plants, then birds and other terrestrial forms of life. The sediments become cemented with the aid of rainwater too, and ‘low islands’ develop. Many islands also show their old, central volcanoes, resulting in the vast array of different combinations of coral island type. Today, however, there is a coral reef crisis due to overexploitation of a reef’s rich resources, from pollution of several kinds, and climate change.

scholarly journals Radar-based assessment of hail frequency in Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elody Fluck ◽  
Michael Kunz ◽  
Peter Geissbuehler ◽  
Stefan P. Ritz
Keyword(s):  
Cell Tracking ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Convective Cell ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
Convective Storm ◽  
Massif Central ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
European Area ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Low Mountain Ranges

Abstract. In this study we present a unique 10-year climatology of severe convective storm tracks for a larger European area covering Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. For the period 2005–2014, a high-resolution hail potential composite of 1 by 1 km2 is produced from two-dimensional reflectivity radar data and lightning data. Individual hailstorm tracks as well as their physical properties, such as radar reflectivity along the tracks were reconstructed for the entire time period using the Convective Cell Tracking Algorithm (CCTA2D). A sea-to-continent gradient in the number of hail days is present over the whole domain. In addition, the highest number of severe storms is found on the leeward side of low mountain ranges such as near the Massif Central in France and the Swabian Jura in southwest Germany. A latitude shift in the hail peak month is observed between the northern part of Germany where hail occurs most frequently in August, and southern France where the maximum of hail occurs two months earlier. The spatially most extended footprints with high reflectivity values occurred on 9 June 2014 and on 28 July 2013 with lengths reaching several hundreds of kilometers. Both events implied hailstones measuring up to 10 cm which caused damage in excess of 2 Billions Euros.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document