Water table is a relevant source for water uptake by a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand : evidences from continuous evapotranspiration and water table monitoring

The objective of this study was to quantify the main terms of the water cycle in a Scots pine stand (Pinus sylvestris L.) growing on a sandy soil and to estimate the contribution of the shallow water table (0.80m deep in spring) to the forest water use. Continuous monitoring was organized in 2005 to measure climate, throughfall, soil moisture, tree transpiration and water table variations at a half-hourly basis.