Morfología Fluvial.-Influencia de la poda del arbolado en el volumen y distribución de la lluvia sobre el suelo en el ecosistema dehesa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Dehesas are dominant ecosystems in the region of Extremadura (SW Spain), being Quercus species, mainly holm and cork oaks the dominant tree species. Those species undertake a very important role on the dehesa landscapes as essential elements for the adequate functioning of the systems. Among other issues, tree cover affects the spatial distribution of rainfall. Tree crowns intercept rainfall leading to an irregular distribution of the water over the soil surface. Tree pruning, for regeneration or production, represents an activity which is carried out periodically over the dehesa trees, causing changes on tree crown architecture, and considerably reducing foliar biomass. Our main goal is to analyze the differences founded on the amount and distribution of water rainfall under pruned and non pruned trees. We also studied the effects of pruning techniques over the whole water resources on a dehesa and its possible repercussions on the soil system.