Beech coppice short-term hydrological balance for simulated rainfall

Abstract In an experimental beech (Fagus sylvatìca L.) coppice plot, throughfall, stemflow and superficial runoff were monitored on a single event basis, in order to verify the short term hydrological balance in different conditions of leaf cover, Rainfall events were simulated using a rainfall simulator, operated at two different intensities. The plot was hydraulically isolated, along its whole perimeter and a small drain, placed in the lowest part of the plot, was used to collect the superficial runoff. Twelve rain gauges were used to survey the throughfall whereas the stemflow was collected through rubber collars. Superficial flows were measured both by sampling the discharges coming out of the plot and by collecting the total water runoff volumes. The results of the trials underline the very high spatial throughfall variability and the difficulty to evaluate the throughfall itself at the required accuracy. The superficial runoff was very small or practically nil in all the trials and was due to the very high infiltration capacity and hydraulic conductivity of the forest soil.