Interception loss, throughfall and stemflow chemistry in pine and oak forests in northeastern Mexico

Abstract

Interception loss, gross precipitation, throughfall and stemflow solution chemistry beneath pine (Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl.), oak (Quercus sp.) and pine-oak natural forest canopies in northeastern Mexico were measured. Coefficients of variation for throughfall were 12% in pine and oak canopies and 17% in the mixed pine-oak canopy. The variability of stemflow averaged 66, 126 and 73% for pine, oak and the mixed pine-oak canopies, respectively. Linear regression analysis of net versus gross precipitation for the three canopies showed highly significant correlations (r = 0.974-0.984). Total precipitation during the experimental period was 974 mm and estimated interception loss was 19.2, 13.6 and 23% for the pine, oak and pine-oak canopies, respectively. Stemflow did not occur following rainfall events of less than 4 mm and, in all canopies, stemflow represented a minimal proportion of gross precipitation (0.60, 0.50 and 0.03% for pine, oak and pine-oak, respectively). Throughfall pH in pine (6.2), oak (6.3) and pine-oak (6.3) canopies was significantly more acidic than gross precipitation (6.6). Stemflow pH ranged from 3.7 (pine) to 6.0 (oak). The pine-oak canopy registered the highest throughfall and stemflow electrical conductivities, 104 and 188 microS cm(-1), respectively. Net nutrient leaching of K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn and Zn was significantly higher from the pine-oak canopy than from the pure pine and oak canopies. Mean depositions of Ca and Cu in throughfall behaved similarly among the three types of canopies. A greater proportion of Zn in gross precipitation was absorbed by the oak canopy than by the pine and pine-oak canopies. Enrichment factors beneath the pine-oak canopy relative to gross precipitation varied from 1.2 to 3.2 for macro-nutrients (Ca, K, Mg and Na) and from 1.4 to 3.1 for micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn). Stemflow depositions of Ca, K, Mg and Cu were higher in the pine-oak canopy, whereas stemflow depositions of Na, Fe, Mn and Zn were higher in the pine canopy.

The influence of mountain temperate forests on the hydrology in northeast China

“…(19.2%), oak (Quercus spp.) (13.6%) and pine-oak (23%) natural forest canopies in northeastern Mexico reported by Silva and Rodriguez (2001). According to Spittlehouse (1998), numerous studies have shown that up to 30% of the annual rainfall does not reach the ground in many types of coniferous forests.…”

Litterfall Production and Nutrient Deposition Through Leaf Fallen in three Tamaulipan Thornscrub Communities, North-eastern Mexico

“…The litterfal and its decomposition contribute to the main transfer of organic matter and nutrients to the soil surface (Isaac and Nair, 2006). Besides, nutrient fluxes occur via throughfall and stem flow (Silva and Gonzalez, 2001) to the forest soil. The decomposition of litterfal contribute to the maintenance of the fertility and productivity of the forest ecosystem (Prescott, 2005) and the reincorporation of litterfal in the soil, and the subsequent cycling of these nutrients are the main source of the available nutrients (Del Valle-Arango, 2003).…”

“…Litterfall and its further decomposition are the main fundamental processes in nutrient cycling, which represent the main transfer of organic matter and nutrients to the soil surface (Isaac and Nair, 2006). Besides, throughfall Full Research Article and stemflow (Silva and Gonzalez, 2001) are the main source of natural fertilization to forest soil. More than half of the annual absorption of nutrients in the forests owns to the reincorporation of litterfal in the soil, and the subsequent recycle of these nutrients are the main source of nutrient availability (Del Valle-Arango, 2003).…”

Soil phosphorus fractionation as a tool for monitoring dust phosphorus signature underneath a Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiana) canopy in a Temperate Forest

“…The interactions include adsorption on to the soil surfaces, and precipitation into secondary P bearing minerals that can be stable under changing soil environment (Schlesinger, 1997). Acidification of atmospheric aerosols is a prime mechanism producing soluble P from soil-derived minerals and deposition of aerosols provides the major external source of P to marine surface waters (Nenes et al, 2011).…”

“…However, the amount of deposition was 10000 times more in this study owing to higher levels of anthropogenic distur- 6 of intact bark, from where subsequently acidity entered in the stemflow and ended up in the soils. Previously, Cantú & González (2001) studied the pH of solution material running along the stemflow and found extremely acidic in reaction (<4.0) while they also monitored higher pH in water samples collected from throughfall and attributed this to the additions of basic cations leached from leaf cells. The same reason can be true in this study plus addition of alkaline dust (pH was 6.2 and 7.5 for lower and high elevation dust respectively) can also be contributing factor in our study especially when the amount of dust currently deposited in the region was huge.…”