Zhodnocení vlivu dřevin na stabilitu svahu v Žižkových sadech v Hradci Králové

Among the most positive functions of trees in the cities are microclimate improvement and stabilization of slopes against erosion and landslides. The amount and distribution of water in the soil affect surface erosion and the stability of the slope. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of trees on the slope stability in a city park ‘Žižkovy sady’ in Hradec Králové. The study comprised of fieldwork, data processing, and hydrological modeling. During the fieldwork, the soils physical properties at the locality were studied under various types of vegetation cover. The soil moisture was measured under the trees and under the grassland from November 2015 to May 2017. Hydrological modeling in software PERSiST supported the soil moisture measurements, suggesting that trees have higher water uptake than other land use categories: grassland and paved area present in the locality. Modeled evapotranspiration was 30 % higher for trees than for grassland and 63 % higher for trees than for paved area, while total runoff for trees during the season was only 70 mm compared to 182 mm at the grassland and 447 mm at the paved area. The trees had a positive effect on the decrease of surface runoff through transpiration and interception, which mitigates of potential erosion and drains. Furthermore higher root diameter and rooting depth of trees than grass significantly improve slope ability. Potential tree removal on slopes of the locality may lead to increased erosion and landslides of existing slopes due to the excessive moisture in the low cohesive soils, the loss of anchoring roots and the increase of water infiltration into the soil