Influence des changements climatiques sur les peuplements forestiers et le cycle de l'eau

Influence of climatic change on Forest stands and water cycle

INRA Nancy

Abstract

The forecasted climatic changes will probably have a global effect on the way forest ecosystems function, and especially on the forest water cycle. Apart from the effects of climatic changes, stand processes will be directly affected by the increase in CO₂, especially in relation to stomatal conductivity and leaf area. In fact, due to uncertainties which still exist, not only about climatic change characteristics but also at the water processes level in forest cover (stomatal conductivity and LAI), it is difficult to make accurate predictions about the water budget and run-off in river catchment areas.