Precipitação efetiva e interceptação da chuva em um fragmento florestal com diferentes estágios de regeneração

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the net precipitation and the interception in a fragment of semi deciduous forest both at initial and advanced stages of regeneration in in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, from August 2009 to February 2011. Six plots were demarcated: three in the initial, and three in the advanced regeneration areas, respectively. To quantify the throughfall and the stemflow, 25 rain gauges and gatherers were installed in trees with ≥ 15 cm circumference in each plot. In addition, a rain gauge was installed in an open area to quantify the unobstructed precipitation. The gross precipitation in the period studied was of 1509.96 mm. On average, 85.08 and 74.93% of the gross precipitation, for initial and advanced stages of precipitation, respectively, reach the soil via net precipitation. The interception by the forest canopy was greater in the advanced than in the initial regeneration area, corresponding to 25.07 and 14.92% of the open area precipitation, respectively, suggesting that the more densely populated areas intercept greater rainfall, and consequently, generate less net precipitation.