Experimental data on the adsorption of water by branches and leaves as affected by different the morphological characteristics of plants

Abstract

We determined 116 globally important woody tree species, classified them based on the differences between plant life-forms, leaf textures and trichomes on leaves and measured the indices of some plant morphological traits in the Guizhou karstic regions of China. The water adsorbed on the upper surfaces of branches and leaves and the water adsorbed on the upper and lower surfaces of branches and leaves (WWu and WWul) of these species was measured. The ratios of the weight of adsorbed water on the upper surfaces of branches and leaves to the weight of branches and leaves (RWWu) and the ratios of the weight of adsorbed water on the upper and lower surfaces of branches and leaves to the weight of branches and leaves (RWWul) were calculated. The adsorption of water and morphological trait indices follow the approximately normal distributions. The weight of branches and leaves (weight), total leaf area (TLA) and mean leaf area (MLA) significantly impacted the adsorption of water by branches and leaves. The different rates of the adsorption of water for 116 tree species can explain the interspecific variation in rainfall interception. Interpretation of these data is provided in Effects of the morphological characteristics of plants on rainfall interception and kinetic energy[J]. Journal of Hydrology, 2020: 125807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125807.

Keywords

• rates of adsorption water
• rainfall interception
• morphological characteristics
• karst