Dependence of rainfall interception on storm amount

The main objectives of this study were to quantify the contribution of rainfall interception (I) and throughfall (TF), to gross rainfall (GR) and understand the role of GR amount in controlling I by the stand-based measurement of P. eldarica plantations, Tehran, Iran. GR was measured using the mean of 10 rain gauges placed in a near clearing area. TF was measured using 50 rain gauges. TF gauges were randomly placed underneath the forest canopy within the study plot. A total of 85.43 mm of GR was recorded during 23 rain events. The cumulative TF depth was 58.66 mm; I = 26.77 mm. On the event-based average ratios of TF:GR, and I:GR were 48% vs. 52%, respectively. A strong positive correlation was found to be between TF:GR and GR (R2 = 0.75). As the amount of GR events increased, intercepted GR by the eldar pine stands decreased. I from elder pine canopies have been shown to account for a significant portion of the GR input to forests in semiarid climate zone, Iran. Given the substantial variation in GR type and frequency in this semiarid area, it was necessary to increase our understanding of the processes in order to make long-term estimates of GR partitioning into forest ecosystems.

Afforestation, Pinus eldarica, Rainfall interception, Storm amount.