A rainfall interception methodology was implemented in a deciduousFicus benjamina (L.) tree to evaluate the interception loss, as well as the dynamics on canopy storage capacity (S) and free through fall (ρ). Measurements of gross precipitation (P g ), through fall and meteorological data were recorded every 5 minutes. Nineteen individual storms from summer to autumn 2005, and twenty one in spring to autumn, 2006 were analyzed. For the studied period, 151.59 mm and 203.35 mm of rainfall occurred on 2005 and 2006 respectively. Canopy interception was 59.46% and 70.98% of P g for the first and second year. Throughfall data recorded during 2005 were 38.14% (of P g ) and 27.21% (of P g ) for 2006. The throughfall and gross precipitation relationship yielded S = 1.50 mm for the 2005 data. In 2006 storms were analyzed in detail, where ρ and S varied in a range from 0.10 to 0.64 and from 1.00 to 2.03 mm, respectively. Moreover, application of the Rutter and Gash models with two years of rainfall data (2005-2006) from the study area indicated an underestimation and overestimation of 69% and 88%, respectively. The slightly best prediction of the interception loss was obtained with the Gash model. Yet S and ρ change significantly due to wind speed, temperature, rainfall intensity and seasonal vegetation development.
This study explored climate variability in the Upper Lerma River Basin, State of Mexico, Mexico, at three timescales: annual (1960 to 2010), monthly (1980 to 2010) and seasonal (1980 to 2010). The effects of monthly and seasonal (2003 to 2010) variability on rainfed maize crops were also evaluated. The variables of rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and number of hailstorms were interpolated to generate monthly spatial-temporal series. Over a period of 51 years, the climate of the region shows an accumulative annual increase of 131 mm in rainfall and an increase of 0.8 and 0.74 °C in maximum and minimum temperature, respectively. In conclusion, significant changes in the climate *Manuscript Click here to view linked References 2 variables were found at the three analyzed timescales. Seasonal climate changes were found to coincide with the most vulnerable stage or flowering period of maize; particularly, a shift in the rainfall pattern generates a water deficit that impacts production yield. Hailstorms have increased in frequency, yet their phase shift results in a lesser impact to maize during its most critical stage of development.
This paper analyzed the evolution of climate data in the Rio Bravo Basin in Mexico from 1980-2009 and projects future climate conditions in this region. Then, the potential impacts of climate change on water resources for crops in the nine irrigation districts (IDs) of the Rio Bravo Basin were evaluated. Specifically, climate data on precipitation, maximum and minimum temperatures, and evapotranspiration from the baseline period of 1980-2009 were compared with projected climate conditions for 2015-2039, 2045-2069, and 2075-2099. The projections were based on two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Patterns in the behavior of the analyzed climate variables over the past ten decades were examined and compared to the projected evolution of these variables through to the end of the century. Overall, in the future, temperatures, rates of evapotranspiration, and crop water demand are expected to increase. Also, the future precipitation patterns of all IDs were modified under the considered scenarios. Finally, the IDs of Acuña-Falcón and Delicias will be the most impacted by climate changes, while Palestina will be the least affected.
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