Interception and Redistribution of Precipitation by Parkinsonia aculeata L.: Implications for Palo Verde National Park Wetlands, Costa Rica

Seasonal wetlands in the tropics are important habitats for local and migratory bird species. In northwestern Pacific of Costa Rica, Palo Verde National Park has one most seasonal Central America. The management history this wetland shown impact invasive plant species such as Parkinsonia aculeata L. whose cover extension canopy structure not only ecological niches species, but also hydrology. A 300 m2 plot was established a P. stand to evaluate role on partitioning redistribution precipitation. Gross precipitation (PGr), throughfall (PTF) stemflow (PSF) were measured daily basis determine interception (PI) net (PNet). total 43 events sampled during wet season 2003. We 530.5 mm PGr 458 PTF, with an average sampling error 0.7 or 6.1%. Canopy storage capacity estimated at 1.47 mm, 88.73%, stem flow 2.63% 8.64%, PNet coefficient 0.9475. relationships between gross (PGr) (PTF), (PNet) evaluated using linear regression models. showed have highest lowest among small trees.