Non-rainfall water inputs are controlled by aspect in a semiarid ecosystem

Abstract

Differences in vegetation pattern between slope aspects in semiarid environments are well known, with shaded aspects presenting a higher biomass. The micrometeorological and soil conditions involved in non-rainfall water inputs (NRWI), comprising dew and water vapour adsorption (WVA) were compared between two contrasted slopes and different environmental conditions (wet and dry periods). Changes in natural soil surfaces were measured using automated microlysimeters, and the partial contributions of dew and WVA to the total NRWI were clarified. Dew amounts were higher on the northeast facing slope and were directly related to dew durations. Differences in dew deposition between slopes were mainly driven by insolation patterns, which controlled the surface temperatures, the soil water content and, in turn, dew duration. Apart from spatial variation in microclimate, WVA deposition was higher in the southwest facing slope due to its higher clay content and electric conductivity and because of its lower soil water content. Water vapour adsorption was directly governed by the relative humidity amplitude in summer (with dry soil) but not in winter. A significant amount of water evaporation was satisfied by NRWI, reaching 100% in dry periods and being WVA the main input.