Salt distribution in response to optical stratification porosity and relative windspeed in a coastal forest in Niigata, Japan

Abstract

Wind velocity, vertical stand structure and sea-salt distribution were measured at various heights inside a plantation of coastal pine forest, with thinning and unthinning, to assess whether any relationships exist between the wind profile, stand structure and sea-salt distribution in the coastal pine forest. The vertical stand structure, i.e., optical stratification porosity (OSP), which is defined as vertical distribution of the proportion of sky hemisphere not obscured by tree elements inside a forest stand, was determined for each height by computer analysis of digital images taken with a hemispherical lens. The distribution of OSP in the coastal forest follows the Lambert-Beer's law with absorbency coefficient (v). The relative windspeed within canopy can be described using the exponential form with the attenuation coefficient (alpha). The sea-salt was collected using salt gauze (a surgical dressing of loosely woven cotton) both inside and outside the coastal forest, and the distribution of sea-salt within canopy was also in accordance with an exponential function. The relationships among windspeed, OSP and sea-salt indicate that the distributions of both sea-salt and windspeed within canopy were very closely correlated with the distribution of OSP. A linear relationship between OSP and sea-salt has been found. Additionally, linear regression between coefficients v and alpha has been obtained as well. Based on these relationships between OSP, wind and sea-salt in the coastal forest, the sea-salt distribution and wind profile within the canopy of the coastal forest can be predicted according to OSP. These results may therefore be useful in analyzing the effects of sea-salt on vegetation and evaluating the filter functions of coastal forests.