Gross precipitation and throughfall chemistry in legume species planted in Northeastern México

Abstract

Plant cover modifies throughfall chemistry, and the solute concentration is dependent on the plant species at any given site. The chemistry of gross rainfall and throughfall of four endemic species planted in northeastern Mexico was evaluated from March 1996 to March 1997. Chemical solutes measured included Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn. Dry deposition and canopy leaching fluxes were estimated following the canopy budget model. Variance analyses tested the statistical dependence of the total and net fluxes on the species and seasons. Regression analysis tested the dependence of chemical concentrations on rainfall depth and lag time between rains. A total of 52 rainfall events were recorded during the study period summing 523 mm. Significant differences were noted on the total and net fluxes between the plant species. For total flux, average throughfall (37.8 kg ha −1 year −1 ) almost doubled the flux of solutes compared to rainfall (24.1 kg ha −1 year −1 ). Pithecellobium ebano (Berland.) C.H. Mull. (43.3 kg ha −1 year −1 ), Acacia berlandieri Benth. (38.7 kg ha −1 year −1 ), and Pithecellobium pallens (Bent.) Standl. (38.4 kg ha −1year −1 ) recorded the highest total flux of solutes, and Acacia rigidula Benth. (30.9 kg ha −1 year −1 ) the smallest. Chemical solutes showed significant differences for total and net fluxes. Ca was the dominant cation with 48% and 52% of the total constituent flux for rainfall and throughfall, respectively. However, K, Mg and Cu approximately doubled in throughfall in contrast to gross rainfall. Species with the largest aboveground biomass had lower throughfall volumes (i.e., higher interception rates) but higher chemical solute inputs to the forest floor. Rainfall depth and lag time between rains explained part of the variation for most species, stressing the partial dependence of the washing effect and the amount of dry deposition on canopies. This research discusses the importance and the sources of incoming solutes on the studied plant species.

Hydrochemical Fluxes in Bulk Precipitation, Throughfall, and Stemflow in a Mixed Evergreen and Deciduous Broadleaved Forest

“…Atmospheric precipitation is an important source of nutrients in forest ecosystems. In nutrient-limited areas, precipitation can be the sole source of nutrient inputs, and can influence the growth and succession of forest communities [6][7][8]. After reaching the forest canopy, precipitation washes off particles and gases deposited on the vegetation surface during dry periods and fog events (dry and occult atmospheric deposition), mobilizes plant secretions, changes the vegetation canopy's original chemical form, and acts as a medium for the transfer of nutrients to soil.…”

Stemflow in two xerophytic shrubs and its significance to soil water and nutrient enrichment

“…Vegetation canopy, by redistributing incident precipitation, affects the hydrological and biogeochemical fluxes between vegetation and soil (Dunkerley 2000;Levia and Frost 2003;Johnson and Lehmann 2006;Navar et al 2009;Navar 2011). A part of the incident precipitation is intercepted by the canopy and evaporates directly back into the atmosphere (interception loss), and the remaining reaches the ground either as throughfall or stemflow.…”

Redistribución de la precipitación y aporte de nutrimentos en Pinus cooperi C.E. Blanco

“…Destacan, principalmente, la forma y la densidad de la copa, la composición y la edad foliar, las variaciones en la textura de la corteza, la presencia de líquenes, la edad del bosque, la arquitectura del árbol, el régimen de precipitación, la composición atmosférica, la estación anual, el tipo de vegetación, la cantidad y la duración de la precipitación, la altitud de la zona, la actividad de la microflora, entre otros (Santa et al, 1989;Méndez, 1997;Pryor y Barthelmie, 2005;Návar et al, 2009).…”

“…Para la evaluación de especies en este contexto, la cantidad y la duración de la lluvia explican la variación de la deposición y las fuentes; y factores externos son importantes para la presencia de sustancias químicas en la precipitación (Návar et al 2009).…”