Interception loss by mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana) in the semiarid region of central Mexico

Abstract

This study was performed in three sites of the semiarid region in central Mexico: “El Carmen” in the State of Guanajuato, and “Amazcala” and “Cadereyta” in the State of Queretaro. The main objective was to assess the interception loss process (E_I) of the two dominant species in this region: mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana). For each site, two trees were selected, and the experiment was carried out following the methodology proposed by Guevara et al. (2007). Two physically-based models, Rutter et al. (1971) and Gash (1979), and one multiple regression model were used in order to model E_I. In 2006, precipitation in El Carmen and Cadereyta was 770 mm and 732 mm respectively, while in Amazcala it reached 451 mm from August to November. The interception loss observed for both species was very similar. The proportion of intercepted rainfall was 15%, 20% and 27 % for huisache and 27%, 22% and 17% for mesquite in Cadereyta, El Carmen and Amazcala respectively. The efficiency coefficient for the EI modelled during the study period for the three models was acceptable, ranging between -1.19<E_I<0.94 and 0.62 mm < RMSE< 2.79 mm. At a region level, the E_I was of 20%.