RAINFALL INTERCEPTION BY TWO ARBOREAL SPECIES IN URBAN GREEN AREA

Abstract

Rainfall interception by the two most usual species in forest urban spaces was analysed by measuring of interception (I) or interception losses, through fall (PI), stem flow (Et) and gross precipitation (PT). The chosen species were Caesalpinia pluviosa DC. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae) or sibipiruna, and Tipuana tipu O. Kuntze (Fabaceae: Faboideae) or tipuana. The individuals analysed were more than 50 years old, with three separate individuals and three individuals in each studied group of species at the campus of “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture (University of São Paulo), Piracicaba. The experiments were carried out from January to February 2007. Water was collected using seven-litre pails, in the edges and in the centre of the canopies. A high correlation of Th with Pg was observed on the centre of the crow of tipuana and by the edges of sibipiruna. St and I had low correlation with Pg for both species. The average of rain interception was greater in the edges of the crow of sibipiruna individuals, 60.6%, and in the centre of tipuana crow, 59.40%. Thus, both species intercepted up to 60% of the water rainfall, which indicates a great potential of both species for arborisation in urban environments