Rainfall Interception by Swamp Meadow and Alpine Meadow and its Seasonal Distribution Pattern on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Abstract

In order to investigate to quantify losses by Alpine vegetation in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, typical Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow were investigated in the growth period. The intercepting rainfall of Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow were studied by using water balance method and ANOVA statistical analysis method. The experimental results indicate that: under different coverage of Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow, rainfall interception in the growing period (June-September) both show an increasing trend. And, both the maximum rainfall interception and maximum interception rate emerge in September under different vegetation cover of Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow. However, With vegetation degeneration, interception quantity and interception rate of Swamp meadows and Alpine meadows both show decreasd trends. Interception amount and interception rate show decreased tend along with the degradation of Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow, which indicate that the degradation of meadow is unfavorable for Swamp meadow and Alpine meadow to prevent the rain landing the earth directly.