Estimation of ecohydrological parameters of trunk and canopy of a Pinus eldarica plantation

Knowledge of canopy and trunk ecohydrological parameters is a decision support tool for forest managers to choose suitable species for plantations, tree spacing, irrigation treatments, and silvicultural treatments including thinning, lighting, and pruning. The purpose was to estimate the canopy and trunk ecohydrological parameters of eldar pine (Pinus eldarica) in Chitgar Forest Park, near Tehran (Iran) during two years measurements. To measure gross rainfall, ten rain-gauges were installed in an open area adjacent to the trees, and throughfall were measured using 60 rain-gauges installed beneath of canopy, and stemflow was measured using the spiral type stemflow collectors installed at six trees. The results showed that estimated canopy saturation point, canopy storage capacity, the ratio of mean evaporation rate from to the mean rainfall intensity, and free throughfall coefficient were 2.07 mm, 0.97 mm, 0.27, and 0.30, respectively. Trunk storage capacity, stemflow partitioning coefficient, trunk saturation point, funneling ratio coefficient were estimated 0.36 mm, 0.17, 2.12 mm, and 8.54, respectively. This study was the first step for understanding the trunk and canopy ecohydrological parameters simultaneously. However, we recommend to consider all these parameters in longer periods collectively.