Modelling interception loss from evergreen oak Mediterranean savannas: Application of a tree-based modelling approach

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Pereira, F.L.; Gash, J.H.C.; David, J.S.; David, T.S.; Monteiro, P.R.; Valente, F.. 2009 Modelling interception loss from evergreen oak Mediterranean savannas: Application of a tree-based modelling approach. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 149 (3-4). 680-688. 10.1016/j.agrformet.2008.10.014

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2008.10.014

Abstract/Summary

In a previous study, it was shown that an isolated, fully saturated tree-crown behaves like a wet bulb, allowing evaporation of intercepted rainfall to be estimated by a simple diffusion equation for water vapour. This observation was taken as the basis for a new approach in modelling interception loss from savanna-type woodland, whereby the ecosystem evaporation is derived by scaling up the evaporation from individual trees, rather than by considering a homogeneous forest cover. Interception loss from isolated trees was estimated by combining the aforementioned equation for water vapour flux with Gash's analytical model. A new methodology, which avoids the subjectivity inherent in the Leyton method, was used for estimating the crown storage capacity. Modelling performance was evaluated against data from two Mediterranean savanna-type oak woodlands (montados) in southern Portugal. Interception loss estimates were in good agreement with observations in both sites. The proposed modelling approach is physically based, requires only a limited amount of data and should be suitable for the modelling of interception loss in isolated trees and savanna-type ecosystems.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number/DOI:	10.1016/j.agrformet.2008.10.014
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry
CEH Sections:	Harding (to 31.07.11)
ISSN:	0168-1923
Additional Keywords:	Rainfall interception, Isolated trees, Savannas, Quercus ilex, Wet bulb temperature, Gash analytical model
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Atmospheric Sciences
Date made live:	07 May 2009 09:31
URI:	http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/6057

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number/DOI:

10.1016/j.agrformet.2008.10.014

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry

CEH Sections:

Harding (to 31.07.11)

ISSN:

0168-1923

Additional Keywords:

Rainfall interception, Isolated trees, Savannas, Quercus ilex, Wet bulb temperature, Gash analytical model