Title: First attempt to measure rainfall canopy interception loss, throughfall, and stemflow in Juglans regia Linn and Cup. Sempervirens L. Var. fastigiata in the north of Iran

Authors: Mohammad S. Lazerjan

Addresses: Laurier Institute for Water Sciences, Cold Region Research Center and Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5, Canada

Abstract: Each individual tree significantly alters the growth of surrounding vegetation by partitioning of rainfall and nutrients to the rooting zone. The Iranian Hyrcanian forests are among one of the most fragile ecosystems of the country owing to large industrial activities for logging and extensive urbanisation. These may accelerate disturbing of this unique type of forest. Of concern currently is an increase in plantations of Juglans regia Linn and a Cup. Sempervirens L. Var. fastigiata species, which has taken place over the past few decades for agro-forestry and ornamental purposes. As such it has the potential to affect the growth of associated vegetation by altering the hydrological balance within this region. The results indicate that walnut trees are at the range of interception of temperate forest trees whereas cypress trees have a very high amount of interception. Thus, care should be taken in planting cypress trees over a vast area.

Keywords: cypress trees; Hyrcanian forests; stemflow; throughfall; walnut trees; Iran; forest canopy; rainfall evaporation; canopy interception loss; forest ecosystems; hydrological balance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2015.067447

International Journal of Water, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.60 - 77

Received: 25 Feb 2013
Accepted: 23 Aug 2013
Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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