Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1246 |
|---|---|
| Citation | McKee, A.J. 2010. The quantitative importance of stemflow: An evaluation of past research and results from a study in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) stands in southern British Columbia. M.Sc. Env. Sci. thesis, Thompson Rivers University. 113 p. |
| Organization | TRU |
| URL | http://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/McKee_Thesis_201033096.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Stemflow is a focused point source input of precipitation and nutrients at the base of a tree or plant, and can have a significant impact on site hydrology. A review paper examining the quantitative importance of stemflow, and a stemflow modelling paper focused on juvenile lodgepole pine are presented in this thesis. Stemflow production information from 145 different studies is presented in table format with the addition of author-calculated funnelling ratios and plateau funnelling ratios when applicable. Plateau funnelling ratios were calculated to provide an estimation of the rainfall depth required to satisfy the storage capacity of a tree. Reference tables were used to identify interclimatic, inter-genera, and intra-genera variations in stemflow production. Plateau funnelling ratios were used to identify shortcomings in current canopy interception models. Finally, the reference tables were used to identify areas of the stemflow literature where knowledge remains fairly weak. To date, no known studies have modelled stemflow production for juvenile lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia). Meteorological conditions, tree characteristics, and stemflow were sampled for two juvenile lodgepole pine stands over the course of the 2009 growing season. Step-wise multiple regression was used to assess which meteorological and tree architecture variables influenced stemflow production for each research plot. Once predictor variables were identified, models were produced for each stand and a generic model was produced that applied to both plots. A model employing precipitation depth and crown projection area successfully explained 71.3 % of the variation in stemflow production from sampled trees. Key words: Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia), stemflow, stemflow funnelling ratio, plateau funnelling ratio, forest hydrology |
| Information Type | thesis |
| Regional Watershed | North Thompson |
| Sub-watershed if known | Mayson Lake |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Darryl Carlyle-Moses |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |