Skip to main content

Interception Storage in a Small Alpine Catchment

  • Chapter

Abstract

Interception is an important process of the hydrological cycle, although it has been often neglected in hydrological considerations (Gerrits et al., 2010). Generally, interception loss is understood as a part of precipitation detained on vegetation canopy or leaf litter. Where vegetation is present, precipitation consists of gross rainfall (observed above the canopy or in a nearby open field), canopy through-fall and stem-flow. In stratified forest communities, where water drips from the canopy and is still intercepted by lower plants, secondary interception occurs. David and Gash (1989) reports the interception loss from forests in the range from 8 to 60% of the gross rainfall (from 25 to 75% of the overall evapotranspiration).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Balek, J. and Krecek, J. (1986). Regional differences in the water budget of spruce plantations (In Czech). In: Optimization of ecosystems in watersheds (In Czech), Czechoslovak Scientific and Technical Society, Prague, 82-89.

    Google Scholar 

  • David, J. and Gash, J. (2009). Rainfall interception. SciTopics, http://www.scitopics.com/rainfallinterception.html

  • Gash, J.H.C., Wright, I.R. and Loyd, C.R. (1980). Comparative Estimates of Interception Loss from Three Coniferous Forest in Great Britain. Journal of Hydrology, 48: 89-105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerrits, A.M.J., Pfister, L. and Savenije, H.H.G. (2010). Spatial and temporal variability of canopy and forest floor interception in a beech forest. Hydrological Processes, 24: 3011-3025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helvey, J.D. (1971). A summary of rainfall interception by certain conifers of North America. In: Biological effects in hydrological cycle. Proceedings of the 3rd International Seminar for Hydrology Professors, Pardue University, July 18-30, 1971, West Lafayette (Indiana), 103-113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenzi, M. and Marchi, L. (2000). Suspended sediment load during floods in a small stream of the Dolomites (northeastern Italy). Catena, 39: 267-282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, A.J., Kershaw, K.A., Robins, P.C. and Morton, A.J. (1971). A predictive model of rainfall interception in forests. Journal of Applied Ecology, 12: 367-381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, N., Shuttleworth, J.W. and Gash, J.H.C. (2000). Influence of temporal variability of rainfall on interception loss. Journal of Hydrology, 228: 228-241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Capital Publishing Company

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Puncochar, P., Krecek, J., van de Griend, A. (2012). Interception Storage in a Small Alpine Catchment. In: Krecek, J., Haigh, M.J., Hofer, T., Kubin, E. (eds) Management of Mountain Watersheds. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2476-1_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics