Mark E. Grismer

Winter rainfall interception by two mature open‐grown trees in Davis, California

A rainfall interception measuring system was developed and tested for open-grown trees. The system includes direct measurements of gross precipitation, throughfall and stemflow, as well as continuous collection of micrometeorological data. The data were sampled every second and collected at 30-s time steps using pressure transducers monitoring water depth in collection containers coupled to Campbell CR10 dataloggers. The system was tested on a 9-year-old broadleaf deciduous tree (pear, Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’) and an 8-year-old broadleaf evergreen tree (cork oak, Quercus suber) representing trees having divergent canopy distributions of foliage and stems. Partitioning of gross precipitation into throughfall, stemflow and canopy interception is presented for these two mature open-grown trees during the 1996–1998 rainy seasons. Interception losses accounted for about 15% of gross precipitation for the pear tree and 27% for the oak tree. The fraction of gross precipitation reaching the ground included 8% by stemflow and 77% by throughfall for the pear tree, as compared with 15% and 58%, respectively, for the oak tree. The analysis of temporal patterns in interception indicates that it was greatest at the beginning of each rainfall event. Rainfall frequency is more significant than rainfall rate and duration in determining interception losses. Both stemflow and throughfall varied with rainfall intensity and wind speed. Increasing precipitation rates and wind speed increased stemflow but reduced throughfall. Analysis of rainfall interception processes at different time-scales indicates that canopy interception varied from 100% at the beginning of the rain event to about 3% at the maximum rain intensity for the oak tree. These values reflected the canopy surface water storage changes during the rain event. The winter domain precipitation at our study site in the Central Valley of California limited our opportunities to collect interception data during non-winter seasons. This precipitation pattern makes the results more specific to the Mediterranean climate region. Copyright

Parameter estimation of two-fluid capillary pressure–saturation and permeability functions

Abstract Accurate characterization and modeling of subsurface flow in multi-fluid soil systems require development of a rapid, reproducible experimental method that yields the information necessary to determine the parameters of the capillary pressure–saturation and permeability functions. Previous work has demonstrated that parameter optimization using inverse modeling is a powerful approach to indirectly determine these constitutive relationships for air–water systems. We consider extension of the inverse parameter estimation method to the modified multi-step outflow method for two-fluid (air–water, air–oil and oil–water) flow systems. The wellposedness of the proposed parameter estimation problem is evaluated by its accuracy, uniqueness and parameter uncertainty. Seven different parametric models for the capillary pressure–saturation and permeability functions were tested in their ability to fit the multi-step outflow experimental data; these included the van Genuchten–Mualem (VGM) model, van Genuchten–Burdine (VGB), Brooks–Corey–Mualem (BCM), Brooks–Corey–Burdine (BCB), Brutsaert–Burdine (BRB), Gardner–Mualem (GDM) and Lognormal Distribution–Mualem (LNM) models. The VGB, BCM and BCB models fitted the multi-step outflow data poorly, and resulted in relatively large values for the root-mean-squared residuals. It was concluded that the remaining VGM, LNM, BRB and GDM models successfully characterized the multi-step experimental data for two-fluid flow systems. Although having one parameter less than the other models, the GDM models performance was excellent. Finally, we conclude that optimized capillary pressure–saturation functions for the oil–water and air–oil could be predicted from the respective air–water function using interfacial tension ratios.

Rainfall runoff and erosion in Napa Valley vineyards: effects of slope, cover and surface roughness

The effects of slope, cover and surface roughness on rainfall runoff, infiltration and erosion were determined at two sites on a hillside vineyard in Napa County, California, using a portable rainfall simulator. Rainfall simulation experiments were carried out at two sites, with five replications of three slope treatments (5%, 10% and 15%) in a randomized block design at each site (0%bsol;64 m2 plots). Prior to initiation of the rainfall simulations, detailed assessments, not considered in previous vineyard studies, of soil slope, cover and surface roughness were conducted. Significant correlations (at the 95% confidence level) between the physical characteristics of slope, cover and surface roughness, with total infiltration, runoff, sediment discharge and average sediment concentration were obtained. The extent of soil cracking, a physical characteristic not directly measured, also affected analysis of the rainfall–runoff–erosion process. Average cumulative runoff and cumulative sediment discharge from site A was 87% and 242% greater, respectively, than at site B. This difference was linked to the greater cover, extent of soil cracking and bulk density at site B than at site A. The extent of soil cover was the dominant factor limiting soil loss when soil cracking was not present. Field slopes within the range of 4–16%, although a statistically significant factor affecting soil losses, had only a minor impact on the amount of soil loss. The Horton infiltration equation fit field data better than the modified Philips equation. Owing to the variability in the ‘treatment’ parameters affecting the rainfall–runoff–erosion process, use of ANOVA methods were found to be inappropriate; multiple-factor regression analysis was more useful for identifying significant parameters. Overall, we obtained similar values for soil erosion parameters as those obtained from vineyard erosion studies in Europe. In addition, it appears that results from the small plot studies may be adequately scaled up one to two orders of magnitude in terms of land areas considered. Copyright

A new approach to modeling tree rainfall interception

A three-dimensional physically based stochastic model was developed to describe canopy rainfall interception processes at desired spatial and temporal resolutions. Such model development is important to understand these processes because forest canopy interception may exceed 59% of annual precipitation in old growth trees. The model describes the interception process from a single leaf, to a branch segment, and then up to the individual tree level. It takes into account rainfall, meteorology, and canopy architecture factors as explicit variables. Leaf and stem surface roughness, architecture, and geometric shape control both leaf drip and stemflow. Model predictions were evaluated using actual interception data collected for two mature open grown trees, a 9-year-old broadleaf deciduous pear tree (Pyrus calleryana “Bradford” or Callery pear) and an 8-year-old broadleaf evergreen oak tree (Quercus suber or cork oak). When simulating 18 rainfall events for the oak tree and 16 rainfall events for the pear tree, the model over estimated interception loss by 4.5% and 3.0%, respectively, while stemflow was under estimated by 0.8% and 3.3%, and throughfall was under estimated by 3.7% for the oak tree and over estimated by 0.3% for the pear tree. A model sensitivity analysis indicates that canopy surface storage capacity had the greatest influence on interception, and interception losses were sensitive to leaf and stem surface area indices. Among rainfall factors, interception losses relative to gross precipitation were most sensitive to rainfall amount. Rainfall incident angle had a significant effect on total precipitation intercepting the projected surface area. Stemflow was sensitive to stem segment and leaf zenith angle distributions. Enhanced understanding of interception loss dynamics should lead to improved urban forest ecosystem management.

Development of a portable field rainfall simulator for use in hillside vineyard runoff and erosion studies.

An inexpensive, mobile field rainfall simulator and runoff plot frame were developed for use on hillside vineyards. The simulator framework and components were lightweight, readily available and easily manageable such that they can be handled by one person during transport, set–up and operation. The vineyard rainfall simulator was simpler than many of the machines in recent use for similar studies, yet offered equal or improved performance for small-plot studies. The system developed consistent sized 2·58 mm raindrops at intensities ranging from 20 to 90 mm/h. The average distribution uniformity coefficient at an intensity of 60 mm/h was 91·7%, with a deviation of only 2·2%. This coefficient was similar to the range reported for a more complex rotating disk simulator, and was notably greater than that obtained for other similar devices. The system water capacity of 40 l allowed for 1-h storm durations at 60 mm/h, usually sufficient time for commencement of erosion and runoff. The runoff plot frame was designed to be quickly installed, and to discourage sediment deposition in the routing of runoff to collect containers. Copyright

Direct estimation of air-oil and oil-water capillary pressure and permeability relations from multi-step outflow experiments

Abstract Vadose zone description of multi-fluid flow requires measurement techniques capable of determining the capillary pressure and permeability functions of multi-fluid soil systems. Multi-step outflow experiments are presented that use a modified Tempe cell for air–water, oil (Soltrol)–water, and air–oil fluid pairs in Columbia fine sandy loam and a Lincoln sandy loam. In addition to measurements of cumulative outflow and wetting fluid pressure in outflow experiments of air displacing water or oil, pressure changes of the oil (non-wetting fluid) were measured in oil–water experiments. Results from the multi-step measurements were successfully used to directly estimate capillary pressure–saturation and wetting fluid permeability functions. The capillary pressure saturation data for each fluid pair were scaled using their interfacial tension values relative to that of air–water, thereby yielding a combined capillary pressure–saturation curve for the three measured fluid pairs. The combined relative permeability data for both soils nearly coalesce to a single curve, indicating that the relative permeability is solely a function of the porous medium properties. Furthermore, the directly estimated permeability data agreed well with permeability functions obtained using a parameter estimation approach, by which parameters were optimized from comparison of observed and numerically-simulated values of capillary pressure and cumulative outflow.

A comparison of groundwater recharge estimation methods in a semi-arid, coastal avocado and citrus orchard (Ventura county, California).

We assess the relative merits of application of the most commonly used field methods (soil-water balance (SWB), chloride mass balance (CMB) and soil moisture monitoring (NP)) to determine recharge rates in micro-irrigated and non-irrigated areas of a semi-arid coastal orchard located in a relatively complex geological environment. Application of the CMB method to estimate recharge rates was difficult owing to the unusually high, variable soil-water chloride concentrations. In addition, contrary to that expected, the chloride concentration distribution at depths below the root zone in the non-irrigated soil profiles was greater than that in the irrigated profiles. The CMB method severely underestimated recharge rates in the non-irrigated areas when compared with the other methods, although the CMB method estimated recharge rates for the irrigated areas, that were similar to those from the other methods, ranging from 42 to 141 mm/year. The SWB method, constructed for a 15-year period, provided insight into the recharge process being driven by winter rains rather than summer irrigation and indicated an average rate of 75 mm/year and 164 mm/year for the 1984 – 98 and 1996 – 98 periods, respectively. Assuming similar soil-water holding capacity, these recharge rates applied to both irrigated and non-irrigated areas. Use of the long period of record was important because it encompassed both drought and heavy rainfall years. Successful application of the SWB method, however, required considerable additional field measurements of orchard ETc, soil-water holding capacity and estimation of rainfall interception – runoff losses. Continuous soil moisture monitoring (NP) was necessary to identify both daily and seasonal seepage processes to corroborate the other recharge estimates. Measured recharge rates during the 1996 – 1998 period in both the orchards and non-irrigated site averaged 180 mm/year. The pattern of soil profile drying during the summer irrigation season, followed by progressive wetting during the winter rainy season was observed in both irrigated and non-irrigated soil profiles, confirming that groundwater recharge was rainfall driven and that micro-irrigation did not ‘predispose’ the soil profile to excess rainfall recharge. The ability to make this recharge assessment, however, depended on making multiple field measurements associated with all three methods, suggesting that any one should not be used alone. Copyright

WATER VAPOR ADSORPTION AND SPECIFIC SURFACE

Specific surface of silicate materials is of fundamental importance to physical adsorption of volatile gases and mineral identification. A simple laboratory method for estimating specific surface from a single water vapor adsorption measurement is proposed. Water vapor adsorption is quantitatively d

Integrated monitoring and assessment of soil restoration treatments in the Lake Tahoe Basin

Revegetation and soil restoration efforts, often associated with erosion control measures on disturbed soils, are rarely monitored or otherwise evaluated in terms of improved hydrologic, much less, ecologic function and longer term sustainability. As in many watersheds, sediment is a key parameter of concern in the Tahoe Basin, particularly fine sediments less than about ten microns. Numerous erosion control measures deployed in the Basin during the past several decades have under-performed, or simply failed after a few years and new soil restoration methods of erosion control are under investigation. We outline a comprehensive, integrated field-based evaluation and assessment of the hydrologic function associated with these soil restoration methods with the hypothesis that restoration of sustainable function will result in longer term erosion control benefits than that currently achieved with more commonly used surface treatment methods (e.g. straw/mulch covers and hydroseeding). The monitoring includes cover-point and ocular assessments of plant cover, species type and diversity; soil sampling for nutrient status; rainfall simulation measurement of infiltration and runoff rates; cone penetrometer measurements of soil compaction and thickness of mulch layer depths. Through multi-year hydrologic and vegetation monitoring at ten sites and 120 plots, we illustrate the results obtained from the integrated monitoring program and describe how it might guide future restoration efforts and monitoring assessments.

Monitoring water and salt movement in soils at low solution contents

We report the development of a nondestructive experimental method that is capable of measuring changing solution contents and tracer salt concentrations in unsaturated soils. The method utilizes a dual-source, gamma-attenuation system. We develop and discuss a probable-error analysis of solution content and salt concentration determinations from the dualsource gamma system. Results from fluxcontrolled absorption of SrCl2 and NaI solution into two dry soils are presented. We observed substantial water movement apart from the liquid phase via vapor transport and adsorption mechanisms in the fine-textured silt loam, but not in the coarser sandy loam. Analyses of distributions of solution content and salt concentration during absorption provide insight into the complex interactions of multiphase transport mechanisms during solution movement in soils at low solution contents.