Effects of Trunk Distance and Rainfall on Throughfall and Associated Chemical Alterations within a Subtropical Deciduous Forest

Abstract

Throughfall makes up the major portion of understory rainfall, and thereby plays a vital role in regulating the hydrological and biogeochemical processes in forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to explore the alterations in throughfall and the associated chemical composition (Ca2+, Na2+, K+, Mg2+, H+, SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, and F−) under Quercus acutissima Carruth. and Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Her. ex Vent. trees, in relation to trunk distance and rainfall characteristics. Event-based measurements were carried out from April to December 2018 in a subtropical forest of eastern China. The throughfall amount (TF) and throughfall ratio (TF%) of Q. acutissima (35.7 mm, 83.0%) were higher than those of B. papyrifera (32.1 mm, 74.7%). Although no significant species differences in the ion concentrations of throughfall were detected, almost all ions (Ca2+, Na2+, K+, Mg2+, H+, SO42−, NO3−, and Cl−) were enriched after passing through the canopies of the two tree species. TF and TF% increased with increasing distance from the trunk, while the concentrations of most ions in throughfall increased, since the trunk was approximated. Regression analysis and redundancy analysis revealed that rainfall amount, duration and intensity exerted significant impacts on throughfall generation and ion concentrations, and the antecedent dry period had a notable influence only on ion concentrations. Our findings indicated that forest canopy and rainfall characteristics play an important role in the alterations in throughfall and the associated chemical compositions.