A comparison of hydrological characteristics between a cypress and mixed-broadleaf forest: Implication on water resource and floods

Broadleaf or conifer forest? – an ongoing dilemma as regards water resource and flood prevention. Although trees use less are hydrophobic, existing studies at the watershed scale have shown varying results due to variability in meteorological conditions forestry practices. In this study, two adjacent headwater catchments [2.42 ha cypress (CF); 2.08 mixed-broadleaf (MB)] were gauged. The study area central Japan has a warm temperate climate with high annual rainfall typhoons. Daily discharge (n = 1398) storm event hydrographs 242) compared between CF MB discussed light of availability runoff characteristics. Overall yield was 6.4% lower than but caused by streamflow on periods (30% frequency); thus, may not adversely affect municipal/agricultural supply. For 70% time including during dry periods, higher CF. This agrees principle that conifers broadleaf even forested catchment scale. Discharge stream is also variable stream. During events, flashiness (shorter response peak discharge) stream; larger storms (?70 mm), discharge. Our data demonstrates well-managed plantation forest does necessarily inferior hydrological function natural forest, which differs from stereotype. Frequencies low flows well characteristics presented hopes promoting better decisions when considering demand stormwater drainage infrastructures.