Is canopy interception increased in semiarid tree plantations? Evidence from a field investigation in Tehran, Iran

Authors : Seyed Mohammad Moein SADEGHI, Pedram ATTAROD, Thomas GRANT PYPKER, David DUNKERLEY

Pages : 792-806

Doi:10.3906/tar-1312-53

View : 15 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2014-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :From 30 January 2011 to 30 January 2012, we measured the rainfall interception insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(I); and canopy storage capacity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(S); of individual trees of Pinus eldarica and Cupressus arizonica planted in the Chitgar Forest Park near Tehran, Iran. Gross rainfall insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GR); in this semiarid region was measured using the mean of 6 plastic rain gauges placed in an open area adjacent to the trees. To measure throughfall insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TF);, 20 plastic rain gauges were installed beneath the crowns of 5 individual trees of each species. I was calculated as GR minus TF. S was estimated using indirect methods: the minimum, Gash and Morton, mean, and Pereira methods. The cumulative mean values of relative percentage of I insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(I:GR); for P. eldarica and C. arizonica trees averaged 44.2% and 34.4%, respectively. Significant negative relationships were observed between the percent of I:GR and GR for P. eldarica insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.63); and C. arizonica insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.67); trees. For P. eldarica, S was estimated to be 1.10 mm, 1.00 mm, 1.09 mm, and 1.05 mm using the minimum, Gash and Morton, mean, and Pereira methods, respectively. For C. arizonica, the corresponding values are 0.58 mm, 0.52 mm, 0.56 mm, and 0.55 mm. This study proposes that in this climate dominated by small storms, planting C. arizonica is preferable to planting P. eldarica. However, the differences in the transpiration of these species should be quantified. Our results also indicated that the I value in this semiarid climate was higher than that of a humid climate.
Keywords : Canopy storage capacity, Cupressus arizonica, Pinus eldarica, plantation, rainfall interception, semiarid climate