Climate and Dynamics

Global canopy interception from satellite observations

  1. Diego G. Miralles1,
  2. John H. Gash1,2,
  3. Thomas R. H. Holmes1,3,
  4. Richard A. M. de Jeu1,
  5. A. J. Dolman1

Article first published online: 31 AUG 2010

DOI: 10.1029/2009JD013530

Issue

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (1984–2012)

Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres (1984–2012)

Additional Information

How to Cite

Miralles, D. G., J. H. Gash, T. R. H. Holmes, R. A. M. de Jeu, and A. J. Dolman (2010), Global canopy interception from satellite observations, J. Geophys. Res., 115, D16122, doi:10.1029/2009JD013530.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Hydrology and Geo-environmental Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

  2. 2

    Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Natural Environment Research Council, Wallingford, UK

  3. 3

    Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 31 AUG 2010
  2. Article first published online: 31 AUG 2010
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 6 MAY 2010
  4. Manuscript Revised: 18 MAR 2010
  5. Manuscript Received: 12 NOV 2009

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Keywords:

  • hydrology;
  • interception;
  • global

[1] A new methodology for estimating forest rainfall interception from multisatellite observations is presented. The Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) precipitation product is used as driving data and is applied to Gash's analytical model to derive daily interception rates at global scale. Results compare well with field observations of rainfall interception (R = 0.86, n = 42). Global estimates are presented and spatial differences in the distribution of interception over different ecosystems analyzed. According to our findings, interception loss is responsible for the evaporation of approximately 13% of the total incoming rainfall over broadleaf evergreen forests, 19% in broadleaf deciduous forests, and 22% in needleleaf forests. The product is sensitive to the volume of rainfall, rain intensity, and forest cover. In combination with separate estimates of transpiration it offers the potential to study the impact of climate change and deforestation on the dynamics of the global hydrological cycle.

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