Interception ability of the soil surface organic matter

The organic layer on the forest floor is a vital component of the water regime in forest ecosystems. Factors such as the type of vegetation and subsequent litter, structure, and thickness of the organic layer significantly influence how water infiltrates the soil (Rejšek 2018). Understanding the water-retention abilities of different types of forest-floor organic layers enhances knowledge of soil hydrological processes and the resilience of this layer to meteorological extremes. This study aimed to compare the water-holding capacity of the organic layer in two forest types: coniferous and broadleaved. Before lab analysis, 60 samples were collected from each forest type. Water-retention capacity was measured gravimetrically at two points: after short-term contact with water (RC10) and after 24 hours of saturation (RC24). Results showed that samples from coniferous forests retained more water both in the short term and at maximum capacity. Coniferous forest litter can therefore retain more water than deciduous forest litter. Up to a twofold difference was recorded in the case of coniferous forest for values ΔR (RC24-RC10), indicating the saturation dynamics (the change in the organic layer's retention capacity over time). To estimate organic matter content, dry weights after drying were also...