Mid-Winter Stemflow Drainage From Bigtooth Aspen (Populus Grandidentata Michx.) in Central Massachusetts

Abstract

Under winter conditions, stemflow drainage in forested ecosystems is often assumed to be a negligible component of the hydrological cycle. This paper reports on mid‐winter stemflow drainage from the broadleaved deciduous tree species Populus grandidentata. Stemflow volumes from this species at air temperatures of < 0°C were found to be comparable to rainfall‐generated stemflow during summer. Over the three‐month period January–March 1993, stemflow ranged from 5.4 to 9.9% of the incident gross precipitation. Expressed as depth equivalents per unit trunk basal area, these stemflow inputs ranged from 1.8 to 4.9 m. These concentrated mid‐winter inputs of liquid water to the bases of canopy trees were attributable to: (1) snow interception by the leafless woody frame of each tree; (2) snow retention by glazed ice precipitation associated with the snowfall event; (3) increased temperature at the bark/snow interface caused by the low albedo of the bark tissue; and (4) convergence of snowmelt drainage from steeply inclined upthrust primary branches. The hydrological and ecological significance of liquid water inputs to the forest floor under sub‐zero conditions are discussed. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of forest plantations on rainfall redistribution and erosion in the red soil region of Southern China

“…even > 10Á0% of gross precipitation (Clements, 1971;Herwitz and Levia, 1997;Xiao et al, 2000). In our study, stemflow ranged from 2Á4% to 7Á6% of gross rainfall.…”

Inter‐ and intraspecific variation of stemflow production from Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American beech) and Liriodendron tulipifera L. (yellow poplar) in relation to bark microrelief in the eastern United States

“…The differential stemflow yield from these two co-occurring tree species as a result of contrasting bark microrelief is likely attributable to the larger bark water storage capacity of the rough-barked species (Crockford and Richardson, 1990;Levia and Herwitz, 2005). The few known studies that have examined intraspecific variability of stemflow generation have attributed tree-to-tree differences to contrasting canopy shape, branching geometry, and bark texture (Herwitz and Levia, 1997;Bellot and Escarre, 1998;Holscher et al, 2003). Our study elucidates the role of bark microrelief on intraspecific stemflow generation.…”

Stemflow production and intrastorm rainfall intensity variation: an experimental analysis using laboratory rainfall simulation

“…Water was held both on the leaves and at the junctions of petioles and stems, where small beads formed. Water on the leaves either spread into thin films, or formed convex droplets as described by Herwitz and Levia (). Trickles moved down the petioles and branches, and became a continuous film of water moving down the vertical stem of the plant.…”