Precipitation partitioning in a diverse stand and a monospecific stand of regenerating forest in eastern China

Abstract

Between 1 March and 31 October 2009, total precipitation, throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception losses were measured in two stands of secondary evergreen broadleaf forests, one a diverse vegetation stand and the other a monospecific stand dominated by Schima superba Gardn. et Champ, in Tiantong National Forest Park, eastern China. During the study period, there was 1 384 mm rainfall, of which 65% (905 mm) in the diverse stand and 55% (764 mm) in the monospecific stand reached the soil as throughfall. Stemflow was estimated to be 9% and 14%, respectively. Canopy interception losses derived for the diverse (26%) and the monospecific (31%) stands were slightly higher than the findings obtained for other primary evergreen broadleaf forests. Throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception losses (expressed as a percentage of total precipitation) were regressed against total precipitation for individual storms for each forest type. Results obtained demonstrate the importance of forest canopies in precipitation partitioning processes and for the availability of water resources.