Differences in rainfall interception among Eucalyptus genotypes

Juan Carlos Valverde, Rafael Rubilar, Guillermo Barrientos, Alex Medina, Matías Pincheira, Verónica Emhart, Álvaro Zapata, Daniel Bozo, Yosselin Espinoza, Otávio C. Campoe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Key message: Hydrological indicators such as rainfall interception of Eucalyptus genotypes are essential to guarantee the water sustainability of forest plantations under climate change scenarios. Abstract: Rainfall interception is a critical component of water balance in Eucalyptus plantations and may provide better water sustainability by reducing potential adverse effects under drought scenarios. This study evaluated rainfall interception of Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens x globulus (high and low yield), E. nitens, E. badjensis, E. smithii, and E. camaldulensis x globulus. Rainfall, stemflow, throughfall, and interception (calculated as rainfall-stemflow-throughfall) were measured for 2 years (2020–2022) and correlated with plantation characteristics [diameter at breast height, total height, stem growth, and leaf area index (LAI)]. Our results showed an average rainfall of 1063.6 mm year−1; only stemflow did not show differences among genotypes with an average value of 193.4 mm year−1 (18.2% of annual rain). In contrast, throughfall and interception presented significant differences among genotypes, and both parameters showed a strong relationship with LAI. Therefore, three independent groups were obtained: E. badjensis and E. smithii showed the highest LAI (average 5.7 m2 m−2) with 517.0 mm year−1 of average interception and 427.6 mm year−1 of average throughfall (48.6% and 40.2% respectively). For E. globulus (low-yield), E. nitens x globulus (low-yield), and E. nitens, that showed the lowest LAI (average 3.3 m2 m−2), average throughfall reached 730.8 mm year−1 (68.7%), and average interception reached 197.3 mm year−1 (18.5%). Finally, E. globulus (high-yield), E. nitens x globulus (high-yield), and E. camaldulensis x globulus with an average LAI of 4.5 m2 m−2, average interception reached 345.2 mm year−1 (32.5%), and average throughfall reached 602.7 mm year−1 (56.7%). Our results suggest that understanding differences between taxas/genotypes may contribute to developing hydrological indicators that may improve estimates of plantation water sustainability under water scarcity climate change scenarios.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1189-1200
Number of pages12
JournalTrees - Structure and Function
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Hydrology
  • Stemflow
  • Throughfall
  • Water security

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differences in rainfall interception among Eucalyptus genotypes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this