Rollenbeck, R.; Bendix, J. & Fabian, P. (2011): <b>Spatial and temporal dynamics of atmospheric water inputs in tropical mountain forests of South Ecuador. </b>. <i>Hydrological Processes</i> <b>25</b>, 344 - 352.
Resource Description
Title:
Spatial and temporal dynamics of atmospheric water inputs in tropical mountain forests of South Ecuador.
FOR816dw ID:
932
Publication Date:
2011-01-01
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:
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
Individual:
Peter Fabian
Contact:
email:
fleischner <at> met.forst.tu-muenchen.de
Am Hochanger 13
TUM -WZW
FG für Ökoklimatologie
85354 Freising
Germany
Abstract:
As part of an interdisciplinary research programme, the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in southern Ecuador<br/>
has been investigated since January 2002. The study site is located at the northern margin of the Podocarpus National Park in<br/>
the vicinity of Loja, about 500 km south of Quito, at altitudes ranging from 1800 to 3200 m.a.s.l. Due to its low density, the<br/>
conventional rainfall station network fails to register the highly variable spatial distribution of rain, whereas contributions by<br/>
fog are not accounted at all. Hence, for the first time in a tropical montane forest setting, a weather radar was used, covering a<br/>
radius of 60 km and reaching from the Amazon Basin to the coastal plains of the region. Furthermore, a network of sampling<br/>
stations supplies data about the altitudinal gradient of fog and rainwater inputs. The precipitation distribution in the study<br/>
area proves to be far more variable than previously thought and is strongly coupled to the orographic characteristics and<br/>
the special topographical setting of the landscape. Maxima in precipitation occur especially in the eastern parts of the radar<br/>
range on slopes exposed to advected moisture from the Amazon Basin, whereas the highest crests of the Andes receive less<br/>
precipitation. The study area has two cloud condensation levels, occurring at 1500?2000 and 2500?3500 m.a.s.l., respectively.<br/>
At 1800?2000 m.a.s.l., fog is estimated to contribute an additional input of 5% of conventionally measured rainfall, increasing<br/>
to about 35% at the highest measurement station (3200 m.a.s.l.). In contrast to some other tropical mountains, there seems to be<br/>
no maximum zone of water input, although the gradient remains positive up to the highest altitudes. The unusual precipitation<br/>
distribution is thought to reflect the contrasting climatological influences operating in the study area.<br/>
