Rainfall Interception by Cool-desert Shrubs

Abstract

Interception patterns of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) and shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia (Torr.) Wats.) were measured under two simulated rainfall intensities during three different seasons. Mean rainfall interception rate of individual plants of both species was 0.15 cm when averaged over all sampling dates and rainfall intensities. Interception during individual storms of at least 0.15 cm size by entire plant communities, based on measured vegetal cover, was calculated at 0.028 cm or less. On the average, about 4% of the total annual rainfall (not snowfall) would be intercepted by these plant communities.