Rollenbeck, R.; Fabian, P. & Bendix, J. (2010): <b>Spatial and temporal dynamics of atmospheric water- and nutrient inputs in tropical mountain forests of southern Ecuador. </b>. In: L. A. Bruijnzeel, F. N. Scatena,; L. S. Hamilton (eds.): <i>Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management</i> ( ), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 367- 377.
Resource Description
Title:
Spatial and temporal dynamics of atmospheric water- and nutrient inputs in tropical mountain forests of southern Ecuador.
FOR816dw ID:
931
Publication Date:
2010-12-01
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Ruetger Rollenbeck
Contact:
email:
rollenbe <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing
Faculty of Geography
Philipps University of Marburg
Deutschhausstr. 10
35032 Marburg
Germany
Individual:
Peter Fabian
Contact:
email:
fleischner <at> met.forst.tu-muenchen.de
Am Hochanger 13
TUM -WZW
FG für Ökoklimatologie
85354 Freising
Germany
Individual:
Jörg Bendix
Contact:
email:
bendix <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Faculty of Geography
Deutschhausstraße 10
Philipps University of Marburg
Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing
35032 Marburg
Germany
Abstract:
As part of an interdisciplinary research program, the<br/>
spatial and temporal variability of precipitation and<br/>
associated nutrient inputs in southern Ecuador have<br/>
been investigated since January 2002. The study site<br/>
is located at the northern margin of the Podocarpus<br/>
National Park in the vicinity of Loja, about 500 km<br/>
south of Quito, at altitudes ranging from 1800 to 3180<br/>
m.a.s.l. Due to its low density, the conventional rainfall<br/>
station network fails to register the highly variable<br/>
distribution of rain whereas fog is not accounted for<br/>
at all. Hence, a new measurement infrastructure had<br/>
to be installed. For the first time in a tropical montane<br/>
forest setting, a Weather Radar was used, covering a<br/>
radius of 60 km and reaching from the Amazon Basin<br/>
to the coastal plains of the region. Furthermore, a dense<br/>
network of sampling stations provided data about the<br/>
altitudinal gradient of fog water inputs and the<br/>
chemical properties of the different precipitation<br/>
types. This combined approach provided important<br/>
information on the formative processes of rain events<br/>
on the eastern escarpment of the Andes. Rainfall<br/>
distribution proved far more variable than previously<br/>
known and strongly coupled to the orographic<br/>
characteristics of the landscape. Maxima occurred<br/>
especially on the exposed mountain slopes in the<br/>
eastern parts of the Radar range, whereas the highest<br/>
crests of the Andes received less precipitation. The<br/>
study area has two cloud condensation levels, occurring<br/>
at 1500?2000 m and 2500?3500 m.a.s.l., respectively. Fog was estimated to provide an additional 5?35%<br/>
of water to conventionally measured rainfall. As with<br/>
rainfall, fog capture exhibited a marked altitudinal<br/>
gradient. Precipitation samples were analyzed for their<br/>
main chemical properties to calculate spatial gradients<br/>
as well as temporal trends of nutrient inputs. Although<br/>
average matter fluxes were fairly low, episodic events<br/>
contributed relevant amounts to the overall ecosystem<br/>
nutrient budget.
Literature type specific fields:
CHAPTER
Chapter Number:
39
Book Editor:
L. A. Bruijnzeel, F. N. Scatena, and L. S. Hamilton
Book Title:
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: Science for Conservation and Management
Page Range:
367- 377
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Publication Place:
Cambridge
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Jörg Bendix
Contact:
email:
bendix <at> staff.uni-marburg.de
Faculty of Geography
Deutschhausstraße 10
Philipps University of Marburg
Laboratory for Climatology and Remote Sensing
35032 Marburg
Germany
