2003 Volume 16 Issue 6 Pages 640-651
A simple model to evaluate litter interception losses in the plantation stands of Cryptomeria japonica and Lithocarpus edulis were developed. We applied this model to simulate the litter interception and evaporation rates under the different rainfall conditions and different shapes of the litter layer. Model parameters were estimated from field data using microlysimeter at each stand. The litter interceptions under various rainfall conditions were estimated using throughfall data. Evaporation rates from the litter layer during the dry periods were estimated by the relative water content of the litter layer. The estimated annual litter interception loss of C. japonica stand was 5.1∼11.5% of throughfall, and that of L. edulis stand was 9.5∼18.0% of throughfall. These results suggest that the litter interception process has a significant role in the forest hydrological cycles.
