Snow interception loss in a Cryptomeria japonica forest at the foot of Mt.HAKUSAN , Ishikawa Prefecture

Abstract

There is a few observation results of snow interception loss. We observed snow interception loss in a Cryptomeria japonica forest of central Japan for five winters (2008-2013). Cryptomeria japonica is the most dominant species in Japan. Our site is located at the foot of Mt. Hakusan. Maximum snow depths at an open apace near the forest for the four years were 66.9 - 238.7 cm respectively. The ratios of interception to precipitation for three years were 14.2 - 20.8% respectively. The ratio for 2011-2012 was larger than those for the other two years, which would be affected by the thinning. In this forest, thinning was conducted in November, 2011. The ratios of throughfall and interception loss to precipitation for whole the experimental period were 82.6% and 17.4%, respectively. The ratio of interception loss was slightly higher than that except for winter observed in this forest.