From the tree to the forest: the influence of a sparse canopy on stand scale snow water equivalent
| dc.contributor.author | Ewing, Patrick John, author | |
| dc.contributor.author | Fassnacht, Steven R., advisor | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-08-24T16:23:36Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-08-24T16:23:36Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2007 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The canopy of an individual tree has a negative effect on the accumulation of snow around tree boles, resulting in a decrease in snow depth inward from the edge of the canopy to the tree trunk. This influence of trees on snow distribution affects the total volume of water stored in the snowpack, especially for a sparse forest stand. However, snow measurements, in particular depth, are typically made between trees, and this neglects the decreased accumulation around trees. As well, little is known about changes in snowpack density under the canopy compared to between trees. Sparse individual trees have their own microclimate (energy balance, wind profiles, etc.) that could produce directional variations in snowpack properties. To establish how the decreased snow depth and possibly change in snowpack density under the canopy can affect estimates of stand scale SWE, depth and density measurements were taken in the four cardinal directions around three Picea engelmanii and two Abies lasiocarpa during the winters of 2005 and 2007 near Cameron Pass, northern Colorado. These near tree measurements were assessed against existing snow depth models and superimposed on a 50-m transect of depth measurements taken at 0.5-m intervals. Three scenarios of a sparse forest were considered: one tree with a 1-m canopy radius, one tree with a 2-m canopy radius, and three trees each with a 2-m canopy radius. Directionality was observed in the snow depth increasing away from each tree. An increasing trend in snowpack density was observed outward from each tree. The estimated average snow water equivalent for the transect decreased by 14.4% with the addition of three trees with 2-m canopy radii. | |
| dc.format.medium | born digital | |
| dc.format.medium | masters theses | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/10217/233660 | |
| dc.language | English | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.publisher | Colorado State University. Libraries | |
| dc.relation.ispartof | 2000-2019 | |
| dc.rights | Copyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright. | |
| dc.title | From the tree to the forest: the influence of a sparse canopy on stand scale snow water equivalent | |
| dc.type | Text | |
| dcterms.rights.dpla | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Colorado State University | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science (M.S.) |
Files
Original bundle
1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
- Name:
- ETDF_EwingPatrick_MS_2007.pdf
- Size:
- 693.07 KB
- Format:
- Adobe Portable Document Format