Project description B3
Scientific advisor
Prof. Dr. D. Hölscher
Project
Rainfall partitioning and soil water dynamics in forests of contrasting tree species diversity
In forests, rainfall distribution into throughfall, stemflow and interception is influenced by meteorological conditions and stand structural characteristics. Tree species have specific structural traits and species mixtures may create specific forms of canopy niche partitioning. The partitioning process continues in the soil, also because plants have different water uptake characteristics.
The aim of this project is
- to investigate rainfall partitioning in forests of different tree species diversity and to identify differences and their causes in throughfall and stemflow
- to compare soil moisture dynamics in theses forests and look on spatial and temporal differences.
Methods
- Precipitation measurements (including gross precipitation, throughfall and stemflow)
- Soil water observations (FDR-sensors, tensiometers)
- Hemispherical photographs, analysis with CanEye
- Statistical analyses with R