Impact of extreme precipitation events on summer deep seepage below temperate forests in the Northeastern Germany lowlands

Research paper

Key message

Stands stocked with European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) show distinct deep seepage patterns. An increasing importance of extreme summer precipitation contributing to deep seepage in the northeastern German lowlands was detected. Extreme summer precipitation events contributed 71% (pine), 22% (young oak), and 15% (beech) of the annual deep seepage. Adapted forest management may promote deep seepage caused by extreme summer precipitation and by precipitation during the winter half-year.

Keywords
Deep seepage; Forest hydrology; Large-scale lysimeter; Northeastern Germany lowlands; Intensive forest monitoring station Britz

Publication
Natkhin, M., Strer, M., Sanders, T. et al. Impact of extreme precipitation events on summer deep seepage below temperate forests in the Northeastern Germany lowlands. Annals of Forest Science 83, 5 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13595-025-01318-2

Data availability
The data used in this manuscript is accessible at Natkhin M, Bahr A, Christen B, Strer M (2025) Data used for analysis of extreme precipitation events and their Impact on summer deep seepage on the Intensive Forest Monitoring Station Britz 2025. https://doi.org/10.3220/253-2025-175

Handling editor
Erwin Dreyer