21 Biogeochemical Models
Anna Avila
21.1 Introduction
Present understanding of terrestrial ecosystems at the catchment scale has
enabled models to be developed which reproduce the main hydrological and
chemical processes responsible for the dynamics of catchments. Such models
have been named biogeochemical models as they seek to link parts of the
biosphere and the geosphere through analysis of the chemical circulation of
elements.
Besides contributing to the present understanding of the hydrochemical
processes operating within terrestrial ecosystems, biogeochemical models
have been useful for comparison of a wide range of ecological settings in
different catchments and river basins. The specific behaviour of the sites can
be interpreted in the model from the relationship of the separate compartments by the established interconnections. Furthermore, biogeochemical
models can predict the catchment response under different simulations and
they have been instrumental for the prediction of changes in the soil and
streamwaters under acidification scenarios related mainly to atmospheric
pollution and land use change (Kiimiiri et al. 1989; Mason 1990).
MAGIC (Model of Acidification of Groundwaters in Catchments) is a biogeochemical model primarily dealing with the effects of acidification. It has
been extensively applied in North America and northern Europe (Cosby
et al. 1986; Hornberger et al. 1986; Neal et al. 1986; Wright and Cosby 1987;
Jenkins et al. 1990). Fewer applications have been undertaken for the Mediterranean area, because of the relatively low acid deposition and high base
saturation of most soils. However, an application of MAGIC in a circumMediterranean mountain site with catchments covered by beech and spruce
predicted risks of acidification resulting from biomass growth and atmospheric scavenging (Durand et al. 1992).
Here, I describe the application of MAGIC to the holm oak (Quercus ilex
L.) forested catchments of Montseny and Prades. At Montseny this exercise
was undertaken with the aim of exploring the effects of forest management
Ecological Studies, Vol. 137
Ferran Rodii et al. (eds) Ecology of Mediterranean
Evergreen Oak Forests
© Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 1999
Anna Avila
21.1 Introduction
Present understanding of terrestrial ecosystems at the catchment scale has
enabled models to be developed which reproduce the main hydrological and
chemical processes responsible for the dynamics of catchments. Such models
have been named biogeochemical models as they seek to link parts of the
biosphere and the geosphere through analysis of the chemical circulation of
elements.
Besides contributing to the present understanding of the hydrochemical
processes operating within terrestrial ecosystems, biogeochemical models
have been useful for comparison of a wide range of ecological settings in
different catchments and river basins. The specific behaviour of the sites can
be interpreted in the model from the relationship of the separate compartments by the established interconnections. Furthermore, biogeochemical
models can predict the catchment response under different simulations and
they have been instrumental for the prediction of changes in the soil and
streamwaters under acidification scenarios related mainly to atmospheric
pollution and land use change (Kiimiiri et al. 1989; Mason 1990).
MAGIC (Model of Acidification of Groundwaters in Catchments) is a biogeochemical model primarily dealing with the effects of acidification. It has
been extensively applied in North America and northern Europe (Cosby
et al. 1986; Hornberger et al. 1986; Neal et al. 1986; Wright and Cosby 1987;
Jenkins et al. 1990). Fewer applications have been undertaken for the Mediterranean area, because of the relatively low acid deposition and high base
saturation of most soils. However, an application of MAGIC in a circumMediterranean mountain site with catchments covered by beech and spruce
predicted risks of acidification resulting from biomass growth and atmospheric scavenging (Durand et al. 1992).
Here, I describe the application of MAGIC to the holm oak (Quercus ilex
L.) forested catchments of Montseny and Prades. At Montseny this exercise
was undertaken with the aim of exploring the effects of forest management
Ecological Studies, Vol. 137
Ferran Rodii et al. (eds) Ecology of Mediterranean
Evergreen Oak Forests
© Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg 1999