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Measuring interception loss and canopy storage in dryland vegetation: a brief review and evaluation of available research strategies
Author(s) -
Dunkerley David
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1085(200003)14:4<669::aid-hyp965>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - interception , environmental science , vegetation (pathology) , canopy , hydrology (agriculture) , canopy interception , throughfall , soil science , ecology , geology , soil water , geotechnical engineering , pathology , biology , medicine
The interception storage capacity has been measured for a range of dryland plants. Interception losses over time, however, arise in rain events that deliver either less or more than the canopy capacity. The fate of water in these cases depends on the efficiency with which the intercepted water is returned to the atmosphere by evaporation from the plant canopies. Two primary methods to estimate interception losses are (i) calibrated process‐based models of interception and evaporative loss and (ii) direct measurement. Models have been applied only rarely to dryland plant communities, and direct measurement techniques are in need of additional testing and refinement. Most published estimates of interception loss in dryland plant communities therefore appear to be based upon inadequate data and methods. Research needs in this area are highlighted. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.