Influence of beech and spruce sub-montane forests on snow cover in Poľana Biosphere Reserve

The aim of the work was to compare the influence of a beech (B) and a spruce stand (S) on the accumulation and melting of snow cover in comparison to an open area (O). The measurements were performed in winter seasons from 2012/13 to 2014/15 in the Hucava catchment, Poľana Biosphere Reserve (BR). We monitored hydrological and physical parameters of snow cover (snow depth — SD, snow water equivalent — SWE, snow density — D) at 13 research plots in 100 m elevation intervals (567&–1,259 m a.s.l.). Within one research plot, the listed snow parameters were measured in a stand of spruce (S), beech (B), and at an open area (O).