Fog precipitation and rainfall interception in the natural forests of Madeira Island (Portugal)

Prada, Susana; Sequeira, Miguel Menezes de; Figueira, Celso; Silva, Manuel Oliveira da

doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2009.02.010

Cited by 66 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Rainfall ranges between 2500 and 2900 mm/year in the centre of Madeira, with the highest rate of 2996 mm/year recorded at Bica da Cana (1560 m). These values are increased by the persistence of fogs (235 days/year) of orographic origin, as indirect precipitation (Prada et al 2007(Prada et al , 2009.…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and molecular data from Madeira support the persistence of an ancient lineage ofTaxus baccataL. in Macaronesia and call for immediate conservation actions

et al. 2013

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Macaronesia is an important biodiversity hotspot in the Mediterranean bioclimatic region, hosting a number of endemics, and encompassing outstanding refugia for ancient Tertiary plant lineages. We investigated past occurrence and present distribution of yew (Taxusbaccata L.) in the Madeiran archipelago, providing preliminary morphological and genetic descriptions and addressing conservation issues. Fifty-eight individuals presently occur in 19 micro-populations, as probable survivors of the continued yew exploitation across the centuries. Plants were characterized and compared with Euro-Mediterranean provenances by leaf morphology, anatomy, nuclear ITS (Internal Trascribed Spacer) and plastid trnS-trnQ DNA markers. The Madeiran provenance showed peculiar leaf size and morpho-anatomical characters. DNA sequences revealed a basal position of Madeiran yew in the Baccata phylogenetic clades along with the Azorean provenance. Gathered data suggest the survival of a lineage of T. baccata different from those on the continent, and with a possible closer derivation from the species' ancestors. Such evidences provide a base for identifying a great phylo-and phytogeographical interest of the Macaronesian provenance, and confirm the role of the archipelagos to preserve relict flora and lineages. The risk of extinction of Madeiran yew also calls for conservation strategies and restoration programs for a prompt species rescue.

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Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological and molecular data from Madeira support the persistence of an ancient lineage ofTaxus baccataL. in Macaronesia and call for immediate conservation actions

et al. 2013

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“…The amount of rainfall increases with altitude and the northern slopes are more humid than the southern ones (Prada et al, 2009). Madeira's location, topography and natural vegetation originate a variety of micro-climates, and this Portuguese island has essentially a Mediterranean climate with mild summers and winters (Couto et al, 2012).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

A dependence modelling study of extreme rainfall in Madeira Island

Gouveia-Reis

Lopes

Mendonça

2016

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C

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a b s t r a c tThe dependence between variables plays a central role in multivariate extremes. In this paper, spatial dependence of Madeira Island's rainfall data is addressed within an extreme value copula approach through an analysis of maximum annual data. The impact of altitude, slope orientation, distance between rain gauge stations and distance from the stations to the sea are investigated for two different periods of time. The results obtained highlight the influence of the island's complex topography on the spatial distribution of extreme rainfall in Madeira Island.

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“…Cloud water interception occurs in windy and foggy environments, when cloud droplets (essentially fog droplets of various sizes and sometimes drizzle) coalesce on plant surfaces, as the cloud base passes through the canopy, and drip to the forest floor (Twomey 1957, Ekern 1964, Bruijnzeel 2001, Holder 2003, 2006, Bruijnzeel et al 2005, Prada et al 2009, 2010a, Brauman et al 2010, Holwerda et al 2010. In the absence of vegetation, this cloud water would not precipitate on the soil in significant quantities (Cunha 1964, Davis andDeWiest 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The objective was to evaluate cloud water interception in Madeira's TL and compare it with the values obtained in Prada et al (2009). We also analysed statistically the behaviour between gauge standard deviation and total throughfall throughout rainstorms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown that, in Madeira, cloud water interception (or fog drip) is a significant water source, especially during the dry season, when it can represent as much as 33% of the total water input (Prada et al 2009). Fog also reduces significantly the evapotranspiration rates due to air saturation and decreased insolation (Santiago et al 2000, Burgess and Dawson 2004, Sperling et al 2004, Ritter et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cloud water interception in the temperate laurel forest of Madeira Island

Figueira

Sequeira

Vasconcelos

et al. 2013

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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A cloud belt frequently forms on the windward side of Madeira Island, between 800 and 1600 m a.s.l., as a result of adiabatic cooling of the northeastern trade winds that are forced upward. Temperate laurel forest is the most common vegetation inside that cloud belt altitudinal range. Cloud water interception was estimated by comparing precipitation and throughfall during a hydrological year. It totalled 200 mm (8% of rainfall) during 65 days (3 mm d -1 ) and seems to constitute a larger fraction of water input during drier months. Multiple linear regression between gauge standard deviation and throughfall throughout rain events shows that cloud interception is common before the onset of rainfall. Its role in the ecohydrology of laurel forest and in the island's hydrology should be acknowledged. Further studies on this issue should be a priority in order to better understand these dynamics and provide tools for the correct management of this protected forest and the island's groundwater resources.

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Fog precipitation and rainfall interception in the natural forests of Madeira Island (Portugal)

Cited by 66 publications

References 11 publications

Morphological and molecular data from Madeira support the persistence of an ancient lineage ofTaxus baccataL. in Macaronesia and call for immediate conservation actions

Morphological and molecular data from Madeira support the persistence of an ancient lineage ofTaxus baccataL. in Macaronesia and call for immediate conservation actions

A dependence modelling study of extreme rainfall in Madeira Island

Cloud water interception in the temperate laurel forest of Madeira Island

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