Abstract
An experiment was conducted to concentrate on the rainfall interception process of individual trees for four common species in Beijing, China, which included needle species (Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis) and broadleaf species (Quercus variabilis and Acer truncatum). Two types of interception storages, the maximum (Cmax) and the minimum interception storage (Cmin), were examined at four simulated rainfall intensities (from 11.7 to 78.5 mm hr-1). Results showed that an average of 91% of Cmax for all the species was intercepted during the first 10 minutes of rainfall, while 45% of Cmax drained off after rainfall cessation. Leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area (LA) were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with Cmax and Cmin, while such significant correlations were not found between rainfall intensity and Cmax and Cmin. Average Cmax and Cmin across all the species corresponded to 3 and 1% of gross rainfall. Mean Cmax and Cmin of the needle species were 3.0 and 1.8 times larger than that for the broadleaf ones. Results revealed that interception was a dynamic process which encompassed three phases. In addition, LAI and LA were valid predictors of interception in small trees, and deserve further test in forest stands.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 857-868 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Hydrology Research |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2016 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Interception process
- Interception storage
- Leaf area
- Leaf area index
- Rainfall intensity
- Tree species
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Water Science and Technology