Fontainemore Mont Mars, soil moisture

Climate change scenarios suggest that subalpine forests in the Alps will be affected by a reduction of snow cover duration. Consequently, the alteration of pedoclimatic conditions could determine important consequences on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics. In this study we consider the effects of snow cover duration (SCD) and pedoclimatic conditions on topsoil carbon and nitrogen cycling during the snow-free season along an altitudinal gradient (1550m-1900m asl) in NW Italian Alps (LTER site Mars). Three study sites under a Larch (Larix decidua) stand were instrumented with suction cup lysimeters and soil temperature and moisture sensors. Sampling and analysis are done monthly during the growing season.