Tree species mixing affects throughfall in a young temperate forest plantation

Rainfall partitioning is a key process in forest ecosystems, affecting evaporation, transpiration and water storage the canopy, litter soil. Although rainfall has been well studied less known about how modified by tree species diversity. To disentangle effects of identity diversity on partitioning, we installed 128 rain gauges an experimental plantation, located Zedelgem (Belgium), part large, multi-site experiment Belgium (FORBIO). With these gauges, monitored throughfall for full year, with temporal resolution two weeks. Based data, analysed (i.e. whether species-specific), non-additive mixtures different from expected amounts based monocultures) richness affects throughfall). First all, found that highly differed between species, due to pronounced effects. The presence Pinus sylvestris [pine] was always associated lower throughfall. Year-round was, example, lowest pine Tilia cordata [lime] (43.8 ± 14.5% open-field rainfall) monocultures (48.6 11.8%). Additionally, were significant, leading 10% decrease reaching floor compared measurements monocultures. Tree acted indirectly, mostly via increased basal area mixed stands. Our findings suggest mixing leads higher than reduction throughfall, which lowered soil moisture plots. Whether this reduced ecosystem functioning remains be quantified.