Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest
Forest water dynamics and hydro-chemical characteristics are essential for understanding forest hydrology and ecological processes. Yet, such understanding is limited by a lack of long-term monitoring data and observations from specialized forest ecosystems such as those from high elevation. Here, w...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2239 |
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| author | Shiyu Dai Nawatbhrist Kitudom Xue Miao Hailong Ge Li Zheng Hede Gong |
| author_facet | Shiyu Dai Nawatbhrist Kitudom Xue Miao Hailong Ge Li Zheng Hede Gong |
| author_sort | Shiyu Dai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Forest water dynamics and hydro-chemical characteristics are essential for understanding forest hydrology and ecological processes. Yet, such understanding is limited by a lack of long-term monitoring data and observations from specialized forest ecosystems such as those from high elevation. Here, we analyze the precipitation redistribution including interception, stemflow, and throughfall and hydro-chemical characteristics by using a 15 year (2005–2019) precipitation dataset in a high elevation, evergreen broad-leaved forest in Southwest China. The forest experienced an obvious seasonal variation in precipitation with a monthly average of 117.31 ± 91.21 mm. The precipitation redistribution was influenced by precipitation intensity and leaf area index and differed inter-annually and intra-annually, with a general pattern: throughfall > canopy interception > stemflow. Throughfall rate increased significantly from 2015 to 2019 after experiencing the January 2015 snowstorm. The majority of water within the study site was retained in the soil and apoplastic materials. The primary means of water output was evapotranspiration, with minimal surface runoff. Quality of surface water was affected by the weathering of rocks, resulting in a lower pH than that of atmospheric precipitation. During the rainy season, elemental Ca and Mg showed negative correlation with precipitation due to plant mediation. The other elements, pH, total dissolved solids, precipitation, air temperature, and water temperature showed different degrees of correlation with each other. Overall, while the water balance fluctuated over the past 15 years, the water-holding capacity remained relatively stable. Alkali cations such as Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and K<sup>+</sup> in the water body showed a decreasing trend during 2005–2019, which is a potential threat to ecological stability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f900dd7f9fc64256aae9816e6e84f0da |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-f900dd7f9fc64256aae9816e6e84f0da2023-11-24T14:42:47ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-11-011411223910.3390/f14112239Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved ForestShiyu Dai0Nawatbhrist Kitudom1Xue Miao2Hailong Ge3Li Zheng4Hede Gong5School of Geography and Ecotourism, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaKey Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xishuangbanna 666303, ChinaCollege of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Science, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaSchool of Geography and Ecotourism, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaEco-Development Academy, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaSchool of Geography and Ecotourism, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaForest water dynamics and hydro-chemical characteristics are essential for understanding forest hydrology and ecological processes. Yet, such understanding is limited by a lack of long-term monitoring data and observations from specialized forest ecosystems such as those from high elevation. Here, we analyze the precipitation redistribution including interception, stemflow, and throughfall and hydro-chemical characteristics by using a 15 year (2005–2019) precipitation dataset in a high elevation, evergreen broad-leaved forest in Southwest China. The forest experienced an obvious seasonal variation in precipitation with a monthly average of 117.31 ± 91.21 mm. The precipitation redistribution was influenced by precipitation intensity and leaf area index and differed inter-annually and intra-annually, with a general pattern: throughfall > canopy interception > stemflow. Throughfall rate increased significantly from 2015 to 2019 after experiencing the January 2015 snowstorm. The majority of water within the study site was retained in the soil and apoplastic materials. The primary means of water output was evapotranspiration, with minimal surface runoff. Quality of surface water was affected by the weathering of rocks, resulting in a lower pH than that of atmospheric precipitation. During the rainy season, elemental Ca and Mg showed negative correlation with precipitation due to plant mediation. The other elements, pH, total dissolved solids, precipitation, air temperature, and water temperature showed different degrees of correlation with each other. Overall, while the water balance fluctuated over the past 15 years, the water-holding capacity remained relatively stable. Alkali cations such as Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and K<sup>+</sup> in the water body showed a decreasing trend during 2005–2019, which is a potential threat to ecological stability.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2239water budgetprecipitation redistributionhydro-chemical characteristicsion concentration |
| spellingShingle | Shiyu Dai Nawatbhrist Kitudom Xue Miao Hailong Ge Li Zheng Hede Gong Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest Forests water budget precipitation redistribution hydro-chemical characteristics ion concentration |
| title | Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest |
| title_full | Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest |
| title_short | Assessing Precipitation Redistribution and Hydro-Chemical Dynamics in a High-Elevation Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forest |
| title_sort | assessing precipitation redistribution and hydro chemical dynamics in a high elevation evergreen broad leaved forest |
| topic | water budget precipitation redistribution hydro-chemical characteristics ion concentration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2239 |
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