Abstract

FLORES AYALA, Eulogio et al. Rainfall interception in mountain forests in the Texcoco river basin, Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.37, pp.65-76. ISSN 2007-1132.

The process of interception of rainfall by tree mass, as a component of the hydrological cycle in forest areas, is determined, among other causes, by the climatic conditions, orographic and by the characteristics of the vegetation. Here are presented the results of a research program that aims to measure the amount of rainfall that three forest communities intercept in the forest -hydrological basin of Texcoco river. Three research modules with an area of 1.0 ha were established in high mountain forests located in an altitudinal range of 2 850 to 3 650 m. In each one, dendrometric measurements were made: normal diameter, total height and clean stem of each tree from 7.5 cm of normal diameter. During the rainy periods of 2009, 2010 and 2011, precipitation measurements were made, and the precipitation amounts and their distribution were determined by rainy season. For the measurements of total precipitation, two rain pluviometers located outside the modules were used. The interception was measured with 75 direct reading pluviometers distributed at random under the canopy. Precipitation-interception were recorded by rainfall event. The amounts intercepted by tree crowns were expressed as percentages for each of the studied groups: fir (26.1 %), oak (21.7 %) and pine (19.2 %). The statistical models of the relationship were generated: total precipitation (mm) - intercepted rain (%), for each group.

Keywords : Hydrologic cyicle; forest -hydrological basin; rainfall interception; models; Pinus; Quercus; Abies.

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