| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Using raindrop data observed inside and outside the forest, we established a method to separate rainfall passing through the canopy into four components: direct throughfall, splash throughfall, canopy drip from leaves, and canopy drip from the bark surface. We clarified the differences in component ratios among evergreen conifers, foliated broadleaf trees, and unfoliated broadleaf trees. Field observations in an American beech forest showed variability within rainfall events and seasonal variation in the throughfall generation process. The study determined the effects of tree species, defoliation status, branch and leaf structure, and water repellency on the process of rainfall partitioning by the canopy.
|
