The importance of epiphytes to total rainfall interception by a tropical montane rain forest in Costa Rica.

D. Hoelscher, L. Koehler, A.I.J.M. van Dijk, L.A. Bruijnzeel

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    The abundant epiphyte vegetation of upper montane tropical rain forests, which in terms of biomass is mainly composed of non-vascular plants (mosses, liverworts and lichens), can be expected to influence the magnitude of canopy water fluxes such as rainfall interception. The objects of this study were to: (i) estimate stand canopy water storage characteristics, (ii) determine rainfall interception by the canopy as a whole, and (iii) adapt an analytical model of rainfall interception, to enable the quantification of the contribution by non-vascular epiphytes to total interception. The studied old-growth forest in the Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica, was 35 m tall, dominated by oaks, and little affected by fog. The estimated leaf area index of the trees was 7.7 m
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)308-322
    JournalJournal of Hydrology
    Volume292
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2004

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