Comparison of interception losses in a broadleaved native forest and a Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir) plantation in the Andes Mountains of southern Chile

For a 26 month period, between 1 February 1998 and 31 March 2000, total precipitation, throughfall, stemflow and interception losses were measured for two different forest covers, one a managed broadleaved native forest and the other a Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco (Douglas fir) plantation. Regressions between throughfall and stemflow and total precipitation (P) for individual storms and forest covers were computed and also for values of interception losses (expressed as a percentage of P) and P for each forest cover and period of development of the forest vegetation. Results obtained demonstrate the importance of forest canopies in rainfall distribution processes and for the availability of water resources. Also, that these forests generate particular interception patterns not strongly associated with the variation in crown cover throughout the year. These patterns are more closely related to the characteristics of rainfall and meteorological conditions during the growing and dormant periods. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.