Oesker, M.; Homeier, J.; Dalitz, H. & Bruijnzeel, S. (2010): <b>Spatial heterogeneity of throghfall quantity and quality in tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador</b>. In: L.A. Bruijnzeel, F.N. Scatena & L.S. Hamilton (eds.): <i>Tropical montane cloud forests</i> ( ), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 393-401.
Resource Description
Title:
Spatial heterogeneity of throghfall quantity and quality in tropical montane forests in southern Ecuador
FOR816dw ID:
951
Publication Date:
2010-12-15
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Mathias Oesker
Contact:
email:
mathiasoesker <at> web.de
Garbenstr. 30
BIO II, Laborbau, 150
70599 Stuttgart
Germany
Individual:
Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
email:
jhomeie <at> gwdg.de
Faculty of Resource Management
University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK)
37077 Göttingen
Germany
Canopy structure and throughfall (TF) were determined in three different forest types within the tropical montane rain forest belt in southern Ecuador. Heterogeneity of TF amounts and selected nutrient concentrations were compared to heterogeneity of canopy structure and tree species diversity. Canopy structure was characterized using hemispheric images and software calculating radiation beneath the canopy, mean leaf angle, and canopy openness. TF was sampled over a 1-year period (November 2001–November 2002), and analyzed for pH, electric conductivity, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Radiation penetrating through the canopy ranged between 9.7% and 17.2% and gap fractions between 6.1% and 9.5% in the respective forests. At 71%, 85%, and 91% of incident precipitation, TF differed significantly between the three forest types, although standard deviations (SD) were high. The highest heterogeneity in TF (as represented by SD) was found for the forest type with the greatest heterogeneity in canopy structure, and vice versa. Heterogeneity of element concentrations in TF (again represented by their SD) exhibited strong correlations (r2 ¼ 0.912–0.987) with tree species diversity per forest as expressed by the Shannon–Wiener diversity index. Rates of nutrient leaching from seven tree species were determined experimentally. Amounts of elements leached differed between species, and specific patterns were observed per species. These findings suggest that higher tree diversity leads to greater complexity in leaching patterns and to greater heterogeneity in TF nutrient composition. Water storage capacities of single leaves (SL) of 11 tree species were determined experimentally and ranged from <30 ml m'2 of leaf surface area to >200 ml m'2, depending on species and leaf angle. Combining the mean forest leaf area index (5.37 m2 m'2) with the average SL (70.7 ml m'2) and an overall mean leaf angle of 46# gave a theoretical maximum water storage capacity of 0.38 mm for the foliar component of the canopy.
Literature type specific fields:
CHAPTER
Book Editor:
L.A. Bruijnzeel, F.N. Scatena & L.S. Hamilton
Book Title:
Tropical montane cloud forests
Page Range:
393-401
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Publication Place:
Cambridge
Total Pages:
740
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
email:
jhomeie <at> gwdg.de
Faculty of Resource Management
University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK)
37077 Göttingen
Germany
