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The effect of a new zealand beech forest canopy on the kinetic energy of water drops and on surface erosion
Author(s) -
Mosley M. P.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.3290070204
Subject(s) - throughfall , trampling , beech , splash , canopy , environmental science , interception , erosion , kinetic energy , hydrology (agriculture) , tree canopy , atmospheric sciences , soil science , soil water , ecology , forestry , geology , geography , geomorphology , grazing , meteorology , physics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , biology
Rain and throughfall drops were sampled during rain events in a New Zealand beech forest and the frequency distributions of drop mass and kinetic energy calculated. The kinetic energy of throughfall under the canopy was always greater than that of rainfall in the open, notwithstanding interception losses. During a typical rain event in which 51 mm fell in 36 h, the total kinetic energy of throughfail was 1.5 times greater than that of rainfall, and the mean amount of sand splashed from sample cups was 3.1 times greater under the canopy than in the open. It appears that where mineral soil is exposed at the surface, by animal trampling or burrowing for example, rates of soil detachment by splash under a forest canopy will probably exceed those in the open.