Hydrological processes and vegetation succession in a naturally forested area of southern China
2004
Zhou, G. (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou (China)) | Morris, J. | Zhou, C. | Yan, J. | Huang, Z.
Hydrological processes, climate and vegetation factors were monitored in the Dinghushan Nature Reserve of southern China, combining long term records of rainfall, streamflow and soil moisture with more recent observations of water table depth, throughfall and stemflow in three natural forest vegetation communities. Precipitation in the forested hills of the reserve was found to be greater than on the adjacent floodplain, and seasonal variation in runoff was less variable than rainfall. Water table depth in lower catchment areas showed little variation on an annual time scale but fluctuated significantly in response to rain events on monthly or shorter time scales. Soil water content of the upper profile was lower in 1999-2003 than in 1983-1989 in all three forest types, and Masson pine forest was significantly drier than monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest or mixed pine-broadleaf forest, in spite of greater throughfall and less canopy interception in the pine forest. Vegetation changes associated with ageing and natural succession may have important long term consequences for water yield and hydrological processes in forest ecosystems.
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