Abstract
The forest hydrological model BROOK 90 was integrated into a GIS framework to calculate and evaluate soil water conditions in forest sites based on climate, topography, soil, and tree species. Model results are visualized in a novel forest site map using indicators for soil drought, soil water excess, and transpiration constraints. Based on knowledge of the number of days in which thresholds of these indicators were exceeded, an evaluation framework for soil water conditions was developed. The model was tested at the Tharandt Forest for an area with varying soil conditions and different tree species. Results can be used to derive and test new forest management strategies. For instance, recommendations for achieving optimum growth based on tree species or stand structure choices can be derived. Further research should focus on relating soil water indices with growth indices.