两种温带落叶阔叶林降雨再分配格局及其影响因子

林冠对降雨的再分配是森林生态系统的重要生态水文过程,影响着生态系统生物地球化学循环。于2012年5—10月连续测定帽儿山森林生态站的两种温带天然次生林型——蒙古栎林和杂木林的林外降雨、穿透雨及树干径流,旨在量化其降雨再分配过程及其影响因素。结果表明:蒙古栎林的平均穿透雨、树干径流、林冠截留分别占同期林外降雨的76%、7%和17%;杂木林分别占85%、5%和10%。根据模型估算,当降雨量分别超过1.0mm和0.7mm时蒙古栎和杂木林开始出现穿透雨;当降雨量超过3.0mm开始出现树干径流。当降雨量超过5.6mm,树干径流体积会随着树木胸径的增加而显著增加;而当降雨量低于5.6mm则出现相反趋势。穿透雨、树干径流及林冠截留的绝对量均随降雨量的增大而显著增加,但其占降雨量的比例却表现出不同的变化趋势。穿透雨量的空间变异随降雨量和降雨强度的增大显著减小。两种林型的降雨再分配格局因受降雨量、降雨强度等降雨特征和林冠结构的影响而产生差异。     

中亚热带红壤区油桐(Vernicia fordii)林冠水文效应特征

于从2004年7月到2005年9月,对南方红壤区油桐人工林的穿透雨、树干流和林冠截留的水文特征进行了监测,并对其影响因素进行初步分析,结果表明：在整个测定期间,油桐林穿透雨占总降雨量75.6%±8.6%,树干流占3.6%±1.1%,而截留量占20.8%±9.1%。油桐林冠对降雨的再分配受到降雨量和降雨强度的影响,随着雨量的增加,穿透雨、树干流和截留量相应地提高,并且树干流和截留量在高的雨量下逐渐趋于稳定;随着降雨强度的增加,穿透雨率逐渐升高,而树干流率和截留率降低。在不同雨量级间,油桐穿透雨具有显著性的差异,但树干流的差异不显著。油桐林下水分输入存在明显的空间异质性,穿透雨在不同观测点间具有显著性差异,靠近树干的林冠内部穿透雨低于林冠边缘,而且随着降雨量或降雨强度的增加,穿透雨的空间异质性(穿透雨率的变异系数CV)降低;树干流对降雨也具有明显的汇集作用,在树干周围输入的雨量是林外降雨量20~70倍,并且随着降雨量的增加,这种汇集效应（漏斗比率）先提高后降低。同时油桐单株树干流(cm³•mm^-1)与胸径、树高和冠层面积均呈显著正相关(p<0.05),但是与枝下高的相关性不显著(p>0.05)。     

陕北黄土高原柠条灌丛穿透雨特征与影响因素

穿透雨是降雨再分配的主要组分,对干旱半干旱区的土壤水分补给和植被生长具有关键作用。灌丛穿透雨的影响机制特别是植被特征对穿透雨的影响需要进一步的定量研究,且目前对穿透雨空间异质性与聚集效应的研究相对较少。以陕北黄土高原典型灌丛—柠条为研究对象,于2016年对六道沟小流域柠条冠层下8个方位的穿透雨以及降雨和植被因子进行系统观测,分析穿透雨量、穿透雨率、穿透雨空间变异和聚集效应的变化特征,辨识影响穿透雨的主要降雨和植被因子,并建立相应的定量关系。结果表明:次降雨下柠条的穿透雨量、穿透雨率和空间变异系数平均值分别为11.88 mm、75.71%和21.80%。穿透雨量主要由降雨量决定,随降雨量增加而线性增加(R~2=0.99)。穿透雨率和空间变异系数主要受降雨量和降雨强度影响,穿透雨率随降雨量和I_30增加而呈对数增加(R~2=0.71和0.54),渐进值约为95%,而穿透雨空间变异系数则随降雨量和I_30增加而呈幂函数递减(R~2=0.71和0.60),稳定值约为10%。冠层厚度和枝倾角是影响穿透雨的主要植被因子,并分别呈显著的线性负相关和正相关(P0.05)。柠条穿透雨具有一定的聚集效应,平均发生频率为8.53%,且聚集效应在大雨量、高雨强和长历时降雨事件中更加明显。     

Rainfall partitioning into throughfall and stemflow and associated nutrient fluxes: land use impacts in a lower montane tropical region of Panama

Land-use change alters catchment hydrology by influencing the quality and quantity of partitioned rainfall. We compared rainfall partitioning (throughfall, stemflow and interception) and nutrient concentrations in rainfall, throughfall and stemflow in three land-use types [primary forest (PF), secondary forest (SF) and agriculture (A)] in Panama. Measurements of throughfall were highly variable which may have masked seasonal and land use differences but it was clear that throughfall at agricultural sites made up a larger proportion of gross precipitation than at forest sites. Of incident precipitation, 94% became throughfall in agriculture sites while 83 and 81% of gross precipitation became throughfall in PF and SF, respectively. The size of the precipitation event was the main driver of variation in throughfall and stemflow. Consistent patterns in nutrient cycling were also difficult to identify. Vegetation has a vital role in delivering nutrients as throughfall deposition of K was often larger than precipitation deposition. A canopy budget model indicated that canopy exchange was often more dominant than dry deposition. Throughfall was generally enriched with nutrients, especially K and Mg, with enrichment factors of up to 17 and 5 for K and Mg, respectively, in PF. In contrast, Ca was sometimes taken up by the canopy. Values of nutrient deposition were high (with up to 15, 3, 30 and 15 kg ha^?1 month^?1 in stand deposition of Ca, Mg, K and Na, respectively in PF), possibly due to the slash-and-burn agricultural practices in the area or marine inputs. Throughfall and stemflow are vital sources of nutrients in these ecosystems.     

模拟降雨条件下玉米植株对降雨再分配过程的影响

为系统测定玉米(Zea mays)不同生长阶段的穿透雨、茎秆流和冠层截留,采用室内模拟降雨法测定了不同降雨强度、不同叶面积指数玉米冠下穿透雨和茎秆流,采用喷雾法测定了玉米不同生长阶段的冠层截留。对其进行了量化分析,并探讨了三者与玉米叶面积指数和降雨强度的关系,阐明了玉米冠下穿透雨的空间分布特征。结果表明:玉米冠下穿透雨量占冠上总降雨量比例为30.97%—94.02%,平均为63.92%;茎秆流量占降雨量比例的变化范围为5.68%—75.70%,平均为35.28%;冠层截留量在其全生育期内变化范围为0.02—0.43 mm,平均为0.16 mm,所占总降雨量比例最大仅为1%。随玉米生长,穿透雨量逐渐降低,茎秆流量和冠层截留量逐渐增加。穿透雨与茎秆流呈现此消彼长的关系,其中穿透雨率平均由93.55%降至36.23%;茎秆流率平均由5.98%增加至70.42%。降雨强度与穿透雨量和茎秆流量呈正相关关系,但是二者占总降雨量的比例与降雨强度关系不显著(P0.05)。随着玉米生长,穿透雨冠下空间分布由均匀逐渐趋向于不均匀,使降雨经过冠层后趋于向行中汇集,但在玉米生长后期,集中于行中的穿透雨量也因叶片衰败而随之降低。揭示了玉米对降雨的再分配作用特征,可为农田水分有效利用、农田生态水文过程机理和坡耕地土壤侵蚀防治提供理论依据。     

华北石质山区油松林对降水再分配过程的影响

森林通过降水再分配过程影响着流域的水量平衡和物质循环。根据2005-2008年汛期华北石质山区主要造林树种油松林的林外降雨、穿透降雨、树干径流定位观测数据,探讨了人工油松林对降雨再分配过程的影响。结果表明,测定期间32场次降雨过程中油松林穿透雨量、树干径流量和林冠截留量平均值分别为8.67,0.11,1.07mm;透过率,树干径流率和林冠截留率分别为82.18%(57.74%-87.55%),1.07%(0.22%-2.07%),16.75%(11.01%-42.07%)。油松林冠层穿透降雨量、树干径流量和林冠截留量均与林外降雨量呈明显的线性关系(R2=0.995,R2=0.907,R2=0.855),根据回归方程,当林外降雨量大于0.3mm时,可发生穿透降雨,当林外降雨量大于3.51mm时,可发生树干径流;林冠截留率与林外降雨呈双曲线衰减趋势,回归方程为y=12.091+55.537/(x+0.426)(N=32,R2=0.685)。典型次降雨再分配过程表明,林冠不仅在量上对降雨进行再分配,还在时程上进行了再分配。     

大兴安岭北部兴安落叶松(Larix gmelinii)林下穿透雨空间分布特征

森林冠层对降雨的水量和水质再分配是生态水文学研究的热点问题之一。为了研究兴安落叶松林下穿透雨的空间分布规律,探究森林冠层结构对穿透雨影响的生态机制,利用在兴安落叶松林下布设38个雨量筒,测定19场不同降雨事件的穿透雨数据(2013年7—8月),通过统计学方法分析冠层结构各因子与穿透雨的空间变异性规律,结果表明:观测期间,兴安落叶松林穿透雨量为148.3 mm,占同期大气降雨量的80.62%,穿透雨率随着降雨量的增加呈增加趋势;兴安落叶松林下穿透雨具有较大空间异质性,其变异程度随降雨量的增加而减小,以对数方程拟合较好(P0.01);冠层结构特征是影响穿透雨空间变异的重要因素,冠层复杂程度与穿透雨量呈负相关关系(P0.01);距树干距离、冠层厚度、叶面积指数等因素均可影响穿透雨的空间分布,以距树干距离影响最大,其与穿透雨率呈正相关关系(P0.01),而冠层厚度、叶面积指数则均与穿透雨率呈负相关关系(P0.01),但拟合效果不佳;从影响穿透雨的生态学机制来考虑,在冠层结构特征因子中,冠层厚度是决定穿透雨空间分布的最主要因素。     

The impact of spruce aphids on nutrient flows in the canopy of Norway spruce

1 This study investigated the effects of honeydew from aphids in the canopy of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) on the nitrogen chemistry of throughfall using a rainfall simulation experiment. Throughfall collected beneath infested trees was compared with that from beneath uninfested trees, while standardizing the quality and quantity of the precipitation and plant age. 2 Honeydew excreted by Cinara pilicornis (Hartig) and C. costata (Zett.) significantly increased the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and hexose-C in throughfall. The average concentrations of nitrogenous compounds (NH₄-N, NO₃-N) in throughfall collected beneath infested trees were significantly lower than beneath uninfested trees. 3 Multiple regression analysis indicated that the amount of rain and NH₄-N concentrations were the best predictors of the concentrations of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in throughfall. Parameters that were closely associated with the level of infestation (DOC, hexose-C concentrations) did not have a direct relationship with DON. About 40% of the reduction in the concentration of DON in the throughfall was attributed to aphid–micro-organism interactions. 4 Particle amino nitrogen (PAN)-concentrations were highest under infested trees in July after aphid numbers had declined, indicating a concomitant decline in microbial biomass after honeydew becomes a limiting resource. 5 The comparison of the concentrations of different nitrogen compounds in throughfall of infested and uninfested trees indicated that aphids affect the carbon and nitrogen cycles in the phyllosphere by providing energy that fuels the metabolism of the micro-organisms. These processes seem to occur very rapidly. 6 We discuss the significance of the results and the prospects of linking the ecology of micro-organisms and herbivores with flows of nutrients through the canopy of trees.     

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in New England Forests: Canopy Impacts Transforming Ecosystem Processes and Landscapes

Exotic insect pests may strongly disrupt forest ecosystems and trigger major shifts in nutrient cycling, structure, and composition. We examined the relationship between these diverse effects for the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA, Adelges tsugae Annand) in New England forests by studying its impacts on local canopy processes in stands differing in infestation levels and linking these impacts to shifts in canopy nutrient cycling and stand and landscape effects. HWA initiated major changes in canopy biomass and distribution. Whereas uninfested trees exhibit a significant decline in canopy biomass from the center to the periphery and a positive correlation between total needle litter and estimated biomass, infested trees have significantly less total canopy biomass, produce less new foliage, shed relatively more needles, and exhibit no correlation between litter and canopy biomass. Foliar N content of infested trees was 20%–40% higher than reference trees, with the strongest increase in young foliage supporting the highest densities of HWA. Foliar %C was unaffected by HWA or foliar age. Epiphytic microorganisms on hemlock needles exhibited little variation in abundance within canopies, but colony-forming units of bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi were 2–3 orders of magnitude more abundant on medium and heavily infested than uninfested trees. Throughfall chemistry, quantity, and spatial pattern were strongly altered by HWA. Throughfall exhibits a strong gradient beneath uninfested trees, decreasing in volumes from the canopy periphery to the trunk by more than 45%. The amount of throughfall beneath infested trees exhibits no spatial pattern, reaches 80%–90% of the bulk precipitation, and is characterized by significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen compounds, dissolved organic carbon, and cations. Across the southern New England landscape there is a strong south-to-north gradient of decreasing hemlock tree and sapling mortality and understory compositional change that corresponds to the duration of infestation. Regionally, black birch (Betula lenta L.) is profiting most from hemlock decline by significantly increasing in density and cover. These findings suggest that it is necessary to study the connections between fast/small-scale processes such as changes in nutrient cycling in tree canopies and slow/integrative processes like shifts in biogeochemieal cycling and compositional changes at forest stands and landscapes to better understand the effects of an exotic pest species like HWA on forest ecosystem structure and function.     

Organic carbon fluxes by precipitation,throughfall and stemflow in an olive orchard in Southern Spain

In forests and grasslands, canopy-derived carbon fluxes have been shown to be an important part of the carbon cycle, yet very few data are available for permanent agricultural crops. Concentration of total (TOC), dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) was measured during an entire hydrological year in direct rainfall throughfall and stemflow in a mature olive orchard. Throughfall accounted for 68% of incoming rainfall, but TOC concentration was on average 14 times higher than in rainfall (7.63 vs. 106.12 mg/L). Stemflow on the other hand represented only a small fraction of gross precipitation, on average less than 1%, while its TOC concentration was on average 10-fold higher than in rainfall (74.13 mg/L). Dynamics of OC enrichment were mainly driven by precipitation patterns, as well as plant phenology, whereas a dramatic increase happened during flowering. Stemflow and throughfall were proven to be important sources of organic carbon supplying 13.5 g C/m²/year beneath the canopy of each tree, while 2.41 g C/m²/year reached the soil through gross precipitation. This large fraction of carbon is a mean of recirculating important carbon compounds that may help mobilize soil nutrients and maintain water holding capacity in the circumscribed area below olive canopies.     

Nutrient content of incident rainfall,throughfall and stemflow in a Nigerian secondary lowland rainforest

Abstract. Nutrient content of rainfall, throughfall and stemflow was studied over one year in the open and under the crowns of three tree species in a secondary rain forest at Ile‐Ife, Nigeria. Throughfall and stemflow comprised 78.8 % and 5.2 % respectively; 16.0 % of the incident rainfall was intercepted by the forest canopy. The concentrations of various nutrient elements in throughfall and stemflow were higher than those of incident rainfall. In throughfall and stemflow potassium concentration was highest and that of ammonium nitrogen was the lowest. Only calcium and sodium concentrations showed significant monthly variation in incident rainfall. Ca, Mg, K. Cu and P showed significant monthly variation in throughfall and stemflow. The concentrations of the elements were highest during the heavy‐rain months (May‐September). High concentrations of some of the elements were recorded also in November, the last rain month and the beginning of the dry season. The concentration of these elements in stemflow and throughfall was affected by tree species. The highest quantity of each element was deposited in the forest via throughfall followed by incident precipitation and the lowest via stemflow. The tree species affected the quantities of these elements by the volume of their stemflow and throughfall and the concentration of the various elements herein. Total nutrient concentration was much higher than available (dissolved) nutrient concentration. This was very pronounced with micronutrients.     

Changes in crown leaching composition induced by a sudden increase in atmospheric deposition. A case study in South-Western Bulgaria

Rain and throughfall chemistry has been monitored for five years (1987–1991) in three adjacent stands (Norway spruce, Silver fir and Scots pine) situated at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level in the Rhodopes mountains (South-Western Bulgaria). Throughfall collectors have been set up near the stem, below the opening between the crowns, and halfway between the stem and the border of the tree crown. Pollutant concentration in bulk precipitation strongly increased during the period of investigation. Because base cation deposition increased together with sulfate deposition, the increase in proton deposition remained moderate. The increase in throughfall concentration was parallel for different tree species. The time course of mineral concentration in throughfall was approximately similar to that of rainfall but the inter-event variability in concentration was reduced. Net throughfall fluxes of Ca, Mg and K increased during the study period whereas net throughfall fluxes of Cl, Na and S remained more stable. Although the wet deposition of protons increased, the proton input in net throughfall decreased or remained stable in relation to the increase in base cation concentration. This suggests a low dry deposition in the study region and conversely an increased net leaching of base cations. However, the seasonal variations in net throughfall as well as the time course of the difference between the concentrations of throughfall samples collected at different distances from the stems indicates that most of the increase in the net throughfall of Ca and Mg was due to dry deposition. The difficulties associated with the use of ions such as Na as deposition tracers for other base cations is emphasized.     

Interception, pH and solid content of rainfall in a Nigerian lowland rain forest

Rainfall interception by forest trees, pH, alkalinity, total suspended and dissolved solids of incident rainfall, stemflow and throughfall and the effect of tree species in these parameters were investigated in three open sites and a secondary rain forest at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, in 1994 and 1995. The tree species Blighia sapida , Holarrhena floribunda and Piptadeniastrum africanum intercepted different proportions of incident rainfall, 1.6, 39.4, and 7.4%, respectively. The pH of stemflow was higher than that of throughfall and the pH of both was always higher than that of incident rainfall. The total suspended solids were higher at the beginning and towards the end of the rainy season. The total dissolved solids concentration in all rainfall fractions was highest at the early rains and during the heavy rain months, especially in throughfall and stemflow. The total suspended and dissolved solids concentration of stemflow was higher than that of throughfall and those of both were higher than that of the incident rain. Total alkalinity of incident rainfall and throughfall decreased, while that of stemflow increased with increase in rainfall. There were significant differences in the alkalinity of stemflow and throughfall under the crowns of the tree species.     

在杉木林和马尾松林中雨水的养分淋溶作用

本试验地是在杉木林和马尾松林中,主要对降雨和径流水中所含各种养分物质进行测定。结果表明:降雨的养分含量与降雨量存在着半对数函数关系。降雨输入林地的养分量显著地大于径流输出的养分量。林内雨和树干茎流淋溶的养分量占养分还原总量的48—53％。林内雨和树干淋溶的K、Mg、N养分物质量超过凋落物归还养分量。     

岷江冷杉针叶林下穿透雨空间分布特征

森林对降水的截留作用、林下穿透雨的水文学及生态学意义一直是生态水文学研究中的热点 ,但是关于林下穿透雨空间分布特征的研究还比较少。在四川西部的卧龙自然保护区研究了岷江冷杉林下穿透雨的空间分布特征。在岷江冷杉针叶林下布设了 8个雨量筒用以测量林下穿透雨 ,对两年共 35次降雨的穿透雨研究结果表明 ,林下各观测点的穿透雨率同林外降雨量之间的关系都可以用逻辑斯谛曲线方程较好地模拟 ,与传统的对数方程模拟相比 ,前者的相关程度显著高于后者 ,而且用逻辑斯谛方程进行模拟时 ,方程中的各参数具有一定的生态学意义。此外 ,研究发现林下各点的穿透雨率具有显著的差异 ,位点 4下的穿透雨存在着明显的聚集效应 ,此处的平均穿透雨率达到了 10 3.2 %。对林下 8个点穿透雨进行聚类分析表明 ,林下位点 4和位点 8的穿透雨特征与其余 6个点的穿透雨特征有显著的差异。对影响岷江冷杉林下穿透雨空间分布的因素分析表明 ,观测点上方的冠层覆盖度、枝叶层厚度与降雨量之间均有一定的负相关关系 ,但其影响未达到显著水平 ;观测点到树干的距离与林下的穿透雨之间的关系可以较好地用二次多项式方程模拟 ,方程的相关程度很高 (R=0 .94 91) ;各观测点正上方的冠层以及枝叶性质也对穿透雨的空间分布特征有一定的     

The chemical composition of throughfall beneath oak, birch and pine canopies in Northwest Germany

The chemical composition of rainwater is altered upon its passage through tree canopies. In order to investigate how rainwater chemistry is affected by canopy-dependent processes in characteristic forest types of Northwest German sandy lowland regions – oak–birch-forests, Betula pubescens Ehrh. swamp forests, and stands of Pinus sylvestris L. – comparative studies on the chemical composition of throughfall were carried out at seven forest sites, situated in close proximity within a nature reserve. Additionally, rainwater was sampled at three heathland sites for analysis of open-field precipitation and at three sites along an oak–birch-forest edge. Throughfall concentrations of most of the parameters analysed were significantly higher than open-field concentrations, especially with regard to electric conductivity, NH₄-N, K⁺, and KMnO₄-index. Ion concentrations in throughfall were the lowest in a 10-year-old stand of Betula pendula Roth. and Pinus sylvestris and in a Betula pubescens swamp forest and were highest beneath a stand of Pinus sylvestris. Except for Na⁺, Cl⁻, and NO₃⁻, ion concentrations in both throughfall and open-field precipitation increased during the growing season (May–October). In throughfall, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Mn²⁺ were strongly correlated. Enrichment ratios between throughfall and open-field deposition varied among sites and elements and were the highest for K^‰+, Mg^2‰+, and Mn^2‰+. Estimates of canopy leaching indicated high leaching rates of K^‰+ and Mn^2‰+ and moderate leaching of Mg^2‰+. The contribution of foliar leaching to throughfall deposition was higher at the deciduous than at the coniferous stands.     

Gash模型在热带季节雨林林冠截留研究中的应用

为了验证Gash林冠截留解析模型在西双版纳热带季节雨林中的适用性,基于2003年的热带季节雨林气候及林冠特征观测数据、采用Gash模型对林冠截留进行了模拟.结果显示,西双版纳热带季节雨林样地年降雨量为1244.4mm,穿透降雨为867.3mm,树干径流为114.4mm,树冠截留量为262,7mm,林内穿透降雨量和林外降雨量之间存在显著的正相关关系;降雨过程中饱和林冠的蒸发强度为0.12mm/h,使林冠饱和的降雨为0.6mm,林冠枝叶部分持水能力为0.41mm,树干持水能力为0.18mm;模型模拟的年林冠截留量为274.9mm,干季为71.7 mm,雨季为203.1 mm;模拟的相对误差年值为4.3%,干季为0.1%,雨季为6.9%,模拟与实测有很好的一致性,显示了Gash模型适用于西双版纳地区热带季节雨林林冠截留计算.     

云南中山湿性常绿阔叶林中降雨对养分淋溶的影响

 作者在云南哀牢山生态站对中山湿性常绿阔叶林进行了定位研究,根据1990～1992年所取得的观测资料,对林外大气降雨,林内雨及树干茎流的养分浓度,养分季节变化及养分贡献进行了分析和讨论,探讨了大气降雨对养分淋溶的影响。结果表明：N、P、K、Ca、Mg浓度在林外降雨、林内降雨及树干流中有很大的差异。其养分浓度和养分输入均为雨季>干季,且养分浓度除林外降雨中N浓度外,均表现树干茎流>林内雨>林外降雨。此外,对降雨和淋溶作用对林地养分物质输入的贡献也进行了分析和讨论。     

Throughfall studies of deposition to forest edges and gaps in montane ecosystems

An extensive network of bottle/funnel collectors was used to measure hydrologic, SO₄ ^2–, and NO₃ ^– fluxes in rain events and in throughfall beneath the canopies of several high elevation forest stands in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during 1989–1990. The throughfall fluxes were used as deposition surrogates to quantify trends in atmospheric inputs to sapling trees growing in forest gaps and to the mature forest canopy at the edge surrounding each gap. The paired gap/edge stands were located above (1940 m) and below (1720 m) the base of the clouds typically impacting this mountain. Total hydrologic and ion fluxes beneath the edge trees during the forest growing season exceeded fluxes beneath the adjacent gap saplings by nearly a factor of three (e.g. 230 vs 88 meq m^–2 for SO₄ ^2–) at both elevations. Water and SO₄ ^2– fluxes were up to two times greater beneath the forest edge at the cloud-prone 1940 m site than at 1720 m (e.g. 230 vs 110 meq m^–2 for SO₄ ^–2). However, throughfall NO₃ ^– fluxes were about 30% higher at 1720 m (17 vs 13 meq m^–2), because this lower site receives greater dry deposition of HNO₃ due to its ridgetop location and greater wind penetration. Estimates of SO₄ ^2–; deposition from cloud impaction were consistent with the net throughfall flux of SO₄ ^2– (throughfall flux minus rain flux) at the 1940 m forest edge, but greatly exceeded the net throughfall flux at 1940 m gap, suggesting differences in ion concentrations in cloud droplets impacting on mature edge trees and young saplings in forest gaps.     

Spatial variability of throughfall chemistry and selected soil properties as influenced by stem distance in a mature Norway spruce (Picea abies,Karst.) stand

Our aims were to investigate the spatial variability of throughfall chemistry and soil parameters as influenced by stem distance and to evaluate the implication of the observed systematic and random patterns for the sampling strategy.One hundred throughfall samplers with a sampling area of 106 cm² each were established in a systematic grid around 5 trees in a mature Norway spruce; site of the Fichtelgebirge (Germany). One hundred soil cores were taken with an auger of 50 cm² next to the throughfall samplers. Soil samples were stratified according to genetic soil horizons and analysed for pH, exchangeable NH₄ ⁺, SO₄ ^2– and total-S. Throughfall samples were collected over a period of 6 months. For each sampler an aliquod sample was mixed over the observation period and analysed for major ions.The spatial variability of the element concentrations in throughfall, expressed by the coefficient of variance, was 21–164%, depending on the element considered. For precipitation volume, the coefficient of variance was only 3%. The distance to the stem influenced most element concentrations in throughfall with increasing concentrations approaching the stem. Steepest gradients were observed in case of SO₄ ^2– and H⁺.The spatial variability of the investigated soil parameters was also very high with the exception of pH. The SO₄ ^2– content of the forest floor reflected the gradients observed in throughfall, while for the other investigated soil parameters and soil horizons no significant relations to stem distance were found.To determine site representative throughfall concentrations and soil properties with the sample volumes and time intervals we used, the number of samples required to get a statistical error of less than 10% (with 95% probability) can be very high. In case of throughfall, more than 100, and in case of the soil parameters, more than 300 replicates would be required.