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Evaluation of Rainfall Interception by Vegetation Using a Rainfall Simulator

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  • Thiago Augusto Mendes

    (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goias, Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, Brazil
    School of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-010, Brazil)

  • Roberto Dutra Alves

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil)

  • Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-220, Brazil)

  • Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira

    (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Goias, Aparecida de Goiânia 74968-755, Brazil)

  • Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technology College, University of Brasilia, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Marta Pereira da Luz

    (Eletrobras, Furnas Centrais Elétricas S.A., Aparecida de Goiânia 74923-650, Brazil
    Industrial and Systems Engineering Postgraduate Program (MEPROS), Pontifical Catholic University of Goias, Goiânia 74605-010, Brazil)

Abstract

Interception by vegetation is one of the main variables controlling hydrological and geo-environmental problems such as erosion, landslides and floods. Interception, along with precipitation and evapotranspiration, is required for the modeling of infiltration, percolation and runoff. Unfortunately, the measurement of interception in the field is time consuming, burdensome and subject to testing parameters with relatively high variability. In this context, experiments using rainfall simulators (RSs) have the potential to provide an alternative approach that addresses most of the limitations of field experiments. This paper presents a new approach to evaluate interception that combines a RS and the monitoring of the wetting front using pore-water pressure instrumentation at specific locations of the specimen. Two specimens are required, one with and another without vegetation. The proposed approach was applied to Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass) and a tropical soil. The results indicated an average interception of 5.1 mm of the simulated rainfall for a slope at 15 degrees, rainfall intensity of 86 mm h −1 , and duration of 60 min. Furthermore, the vegetation decreased the surface runoff that contributes to erosion. The proposed method will enable studies on the interception mechanisms and the various involved variables, with benefits to the modeling of soil-vegetation-atmosphere interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Thiago Augusto Mendes & Roberto Dutra Alves & Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana & Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira & Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo & Marta Pereira da Luz, 2021. "Evaluation of Rainfall Interception by Vegetation Using a Rainfall Simulator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:5082-:d:547509
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shouse, Peter J. & Ayars, James E. & Simunek, Jirí, 2011. "Simulating root water uptake from a shallow saline groundwater resource," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(5), pages 784-790, March.
    2. Thiago Augusto Mendes & Sávio Aparecido dos Santos Pereira & Juan Félix Rodriguez Rebolledo & Gilson de Farias Neves Gitirana & Maria Tereza da Silva Melo & Marta Pereira da Luz, 2021. "Development of a Rainfall and Runoff Simulator for Performing Hydrological and Geotechnical Tests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdul Halim Hamdany & Martin Wijaya & Alfrendo Satyanaga & Harianto Rahardjo & Zhai Qian & Aswin Lim & Jong Kim, 2023. "Numerical Simulation on the Effect of Infiltration and Evapotranspiration on the Residual Slope," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Qiufen Zhang & Xizhi Lv & Yongxin Ni & Li Ma & Jianwei Wang, 2023. "Slope Runoff Process and Regulation Threshold under the Dual Effects of Rainfall and Vegetation in Loess Hilly and Gully Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, May.

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