Effect of leaf inclination and rainfall intensity on the Canopy Wetness Index of Artocarpus Heterophyllus

Abstract

Canopy characteristics have a significant influence on the process of canopy surface wetting and water canalization into the canopy reservoir. Canopy surfaces that have increased wetting until the canopy is saturated will describe the process of rainfall redistribution that occurs throughout the canopy. Canopy wetting until saturated or the canopy wetting index (β) is an indicator of rainfall redistribution by a canopy. Canopy reservoir filling can occur after the canopy surface per unit area has been completely saturated. This research was conducted with changes in rainfall intensity (R), leaf slope (μ), canopy porosity, and canopy flow distribution (Tf) on Artocarpus heterophyllus. This study found that the rainfall redistribution process was strongly influenced by leaf characteristics, depth, and rainfall duration. Leaf characteristics, especially leaf inclination, will create a pattern of water canal from the canopy surface to the canopy reservoir. The leaf inclination characteristic will increase canopy wetting across the canopy surface simultaneously, but will not make water flow uniformly to the canopy reservoir.