Black pine-grass paired plot water balance experiment in the botanic garden of Sopron UNI

Hydrological measurements, particularly those conducted on paired plots, provide valuable tools for comparing the water balance of different surface covers. Hydro-meteorological measurements have been carried out in the University of Sopron Botanical Garden since 1925. Conducting long-term measurements provides a good opportunity for studying the water balance in forested areas. The proximity of educational facilities allows for frequent measurements, regular equipment checks, and student participation. A hydrological paired-plot experiment site was established in the botanical garden as part of an international Slovenian-Hungarian project. We set up the research plot under black pine trees. For comparative purposes, we designated an open-air plot as a control site, positioned approximately 100 meters away from the pine trees. The focus of the experiment was to better understand the complex water dynamics within the research site under the black pine tree canopy. The first set of experiments is suitable for analysing rainfall distribution in a forest (canopy and litter interception), and comparing the soil moisture and groundwater dynamics of grass and forest plots. In the experimental area, automated equipment installation is presently underway. The experiment serves educational and demonstration purposes in addition to its primary research function. The following joint projects (143972SNN, N2-0313 projects and the TKP2021-NKTA-43 project) supported the preparation of this paper. TKP2021-NKTA-43 has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary (successor: Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary) from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the TKP2021-NKTA funding scheme. This contribution is also part of ongoing research entitled “Microscale influence on runoff” supported by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (N2-0313).