A Method Proposal for Throughfall Measurement in Grassland at Plot Scale in Temperate Climate: ‘Interception Tubes’

While net precipitation entering the soil is commonly measured in woody ecosystems, there a lack of field measurements for herbaceous vegetation. Small canopy heights and fragile stem structures are primary challenges sampling grasslands under conditions. We designed new situ device, “interception tubes”, throughfall temperate grasslands. The instrument allows natural development grass at multiple locations. Although it does not strictly separate stemflow, dominant part collected water throughfall. tested interception tubes splash loss with drip experiment. Next, we evaluated tubes’ installation 25 locations both without vegetation cover. Also, used gross precipitation, height content to check plausibility measurements. experiment showed small ( < 3%) typical rain drop size growing season region, as well drops lower falling velocity. In uncovered period, corrected were generally smaller than classical funnel But statistical model revealed that slope their relationship close unity (0.92) when accounting topography was probably related wind effects. During covered systematically reduced below by tubes, indicating they can capture spatial patterns denser foliage. also altered effect on tube As forest temporally stable events increased heterogeneity. between 95% 22% above, amplified loss. balance underestimated input peak height, which suggests enhanced occurrence stemflow tall grass. Despite underestimation suitable method estimating grasslands, be quantified additional moisture