Inter- and intra-event rainfall partitioning dynamics of two typical xerophytic shrubs in the Loess Plateau of China

Abstract. Rainfall is known as the main water replenishment in dryland ecosystems, and rainfall partitioning by vegetation reshapes spatial temporal distribution patterns of rainwater entry into soil. The dynamics have been extensively studied at inter-event scale, yet very few studies explored its finer intra-event relating driving factors for shrubs. Here, we conducted a concurrent in-depth investigation all components inter- scales two typical xerophytic shrubs (Caragana korshinskii Salix psammophila) Liudaogou catchment Loess Plateau, China. event throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF), interception loss (IC), their variations within event, well meteorological characteristics, were systematically measured during 2014–2015 rainy seasons. Our results showed that C. had significantly higher SF percentage (9.2 %) lower IC (21.4 compared to S. psammophila (3.8 % 29.5 %, respectively), but TF percentages not different (69.4 vs. 66.7 %). At initiated (0.1 0.3 h 0.7 0.8 h) peaked (1.8 2.0 2.1 2.2 more quickly, lasted longer (5.2 4.8 delivered intensely (4.3 3.8 mm h?1), whereas (4.6 4.1 (753.8 471.2 h?1). For both shrubs, amount was most significant factor influencing partitioning, intensity duration controlled variables. with larger branch angle, small branches, smaller canopy area, has an advantage over produce efficiently. storage capacity generate peak earlier, it aboveground biomass total individual plants korshinskii. These findings contribute fine characterization shrub-dominated ecohydrological processes, improve accuracy balance estimation ecosystems.