Impact of thinning on the water balance of a catchment in Mediterranean environment

A study on the impact of silvicultural practices on the water balance was carried out in a watershed in Calabria, Southern Italy, prevalently covered by Calabrian pine stands. A thinning was carried out in 1993, involving the removal of 50% of the total number of trees (about 30% of the basal area), and the catchment hydrological response before and after the intervention was compared. Results showed that after thinning some differences affected the yearly runoff, with a significant increase specially concerning the groundwater flow during spring and summer. According to this evidence, we assume that silvicultural interventions can notably contribute to improve water resources management, mainly in regions with a long dry season as in the Mediterranean area.