Articles | Volume 30, issue 13
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-4305-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-4305-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
13 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 13 Jul 2026
| 13 Jul 2026
Forest floor water storage and redistribution affect evaporation, retention, and infiltration in mixed temperate forests
Heinke Paulsen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Chair for Hydrology, Albert Ludwig University, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
Markus Weiler
Chair for Hydrology, Albert Ludwig University, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
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Short summary
Using 12 Forest floor (FF) lysimeters at three beech‑dominated sites, we recorded 1570 rain events and measured throughfall, drainage, and evaporation. Initial retention depended on pre‑event moisture, not litter thickness. Low‑intensity, long‑duration rains filled the FF more efficiently than brief, intense storms. Evaporation was low and consistent across sites, showing the FF protects the soil. Spatial data revealed frequent water redistribution, creating heterogeneous flow paths.
Using 12 Forest floor (FF) lysimeters at three beech‑dominated sites, we recorded 1570 rain...
