Evaluation of canopy rainfall interception by three broad-leaved spices in urban area

Abstract

To evaluate the canopy interception by urban trees, throughfall and stemflow were measured for three species (Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Quercus myrsinaefolia and Cerasus × yedoensis) from April 27th to December 10th in 2017. For the rainfall events with precipitation >20 mm, canopy interception ratio was highest in C. japonicum (0.26), and lowest in C. × yedoensis (0.10). Regular branch pruning of Q. myrsinaefolia decreased canopy interception ratio from 0.24 to 0.15. The decrease of event-based rainfall intensity of gross rainfall by tree canopy was highest in C. japonicam (58%). Although there remain issues evaluating the effects of wind and surrounding trees for the precise measurement of gross precipitation, the study clarified that canopy interception of urban trees decreased rainfall amount and rainfall intensity.