Throughfall

In hydrology, throughfall is the process which describes how wet leaves shed excess water onto the ground surface. These drops have greater erosive power because they are heavier than rain drops. Furthermore, where there is a high canopy, falling drops may reach terminal velocity, about 8 metres (26 ft), thus maximizing the drop's erosive potential.^[2]

Throughfall displacement experiment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Litterfall and throughfall collectors at beech stand in Thetford, East Anglia^[1]

Rates of throughfall are higher in areas of forest where the leaves are broad-leaved. This is because the flat leaves allow water to collect. Drip-tips also facilitate throughfall. Rates of throughfall are lower in coniferous forests as conifers can only hold individual droplets of water on their needles.

Throughfall is a crucial process when designing pesticides for foliar application since it will condition their washing and the fate of potential pollutants in the environment. ^[3]

See also

Main article: Outline of forestry

• Stemflow
• Canopy interception
• Forest floor interception
• Tree shape