Abstract
Abstract This study compared the effects of four forest canopies on throughfall chemistry in the Qinling Mountains, China. Rainfall and throughfall samples were collected in stands of Quercus aliena (Qa) var. Acuteserrata, Pinus tabulaeformis (Pt), P. armandii (Pa), and mixed broad-leaved (Mb) trees from 2009 to 2011. The results indicated that the pH of the rainfall, which was mildly acidic, increased as it passed through the forest canopy. The pH increased more within the broad-leaved forest canopy than the coniferous forest. Concentrations of decreased as rainfall passed through the Qa canopy but increased after passing through the other species. The concentrations of and Zn, Cd and Pb decreased as rainfall passed through the four canopies. The coniferous forest canopy was more effective than the broad-leaved forest in reducing in rainwater. The decreases in Cd concentrations were similar among the four canopies. The Pb concentration decreased the most among the heavy metals, and the order of the decrease was Qa > Pt > Pa > Mb. The results may provide a basis for the selection of tree species for afforestation in water sources in the Qinling Mountains and similar areas.
Highlights
Many countries and regions in the world use forests as industrial and domestic water supply sources
The pH generally increased as rainfall passed through the forest canopy (Table 2; Figure 2); the pH increased on average by 0.46, 0.45, 0.22, and 0.55 in the Quercus aliena (Qa), Pinus tabulaeformis (Pt), P. armandii (Pa), and mixed broad-leaved (Mb) stands, respectively
These results indicate that when rainfall is weakly acidic, the Mb canopy increased the pH of the throughfall the most, followed by the Qa canopy, the Pt canopy, and the Pa canopy
Summary
Many countries and regions in the world use forests as industrial and domestic water supply sources. The forest canopy can absorb some of the pollutants, causing NHþ4 , NOx, and some heavy metal element concentrations in throughfall water to decrease (Ferm ; Gordon et al ; Klopatek et al ; Marty et al ; Zhang & Liang ) There have been many studies about the effects of forest canopies on water chemistry or about forest canopy interceptions of atmospheric depositions such as NHþ4 , NOx, and SO2 (Balestrini & Tagliaferri ; Klopatek et al ; Kopáček et al ; Zhang & Liang ; Kowalska et al ) These studies were conducted mainly in Europe, the United States, Canada, East Asia, and West Asia. The results may provide an understanding about the effects of these four different tree stand canopies on water quality and may be used in the management of forests as water sources
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
